h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Left Stockholm slightly late which meant that we had to sail a different course to Helsinki than planned as the normal route through the Archipeligo closes early due to shallow waters or something. I only mention this as the result was a rather bumpy ride. My sea legs held up though and no greening of the gills to report. Some of my fellow passengers were not so lucky though and lots of empty tables in the dining room for dinner.

Helsinki appeared on the port side the next morning. The berth was very close to the City centre and the first thing I remember seeing is a large food market on the quayside. (Annie I think this must be the one you remember.) Didn't have a lot of time to look around but was informed that the market is very popular not only because the food is cheaper than the Supermarkets but because the Finns love to take the opportunity to chat with the stall holders and prefer the personal service to more impersonal self-service.

Visited Senate Square which is dominated by the Lutherin Cathedral on one side and has old University buildings on the other three. I assume that the London bus parked in the Square is a tourist bus. Did a short walking tour around the city centre and again was impressed by the beauty of the buildings and cleanliness.

In an effort to see something of the countryside I chose to take a trip out to Porvoo, Finland's 2nd oldest town, which is about an hours drive out of Helsinki on the St Petersburg Road. Saw numerous car transporters moving new Japanese cars from the Helsinki docks to Russia, apparently this is much safer than moving them by road through Russia where there is a tendancy from them to disappear. The Elk fence was very noticable through out the journey and where there are gaps in the fence there is a system of movement sensitive cameras which set off warning lights when a Elk ( or anything else large enough to set of the sensors I suppose ) is about to cross the road. Never saw an Elk ( except in Porvoo - see photo ) as they only show themselves at dusk.

Porvoo Old Town is very picturesque and consists mainly of wooden warehouses and other buildings mainly painted red. There is a small (?)Cathedral where Mika Häkkinen was married. Spent a very pleasant hour or so exploring the narrow lanes and querky shops. Went on to the nearby Haiko Manor ( where Mika Häkkinen held his reception ) for a splendid lunch - as if I needed more food. Enjoyed exploring the gardens despite the fact that it had started to rain.

Back to Helsinki where we called at Sibelius Park and explored the monument to the composer. Looks like a large collection of organ pipes but according to the sculpter isn't. A "head" of Sibelius was added later following complaints that the sculpture was too abstract. Final port of call was the Church in the Rocks. It literally is a Church in a a man made cave ( curtesy of Alfred Noble who invented dynamite having killed 14 of his friends in the process - although I think that was actually in Stockholm.) with an extraordinary glass roof.

Another thing I remember about Helsinki is the number of people who practice Nordic Walking - a form of walking that is based on Nordic skiing movements and involves using ski poles like 2 very long walkng sticks. Apparently very good for cardio-vascular stimulation. Certainly not practised at a strolling pace.

Another extremely pleasant day and after another healthy meal and one or two drinks I went to bed very excited because I knew that I would be waking up in St Petersburg - the place I was most looking forward to visiting. It did not disappoint but that will have to wait for another day.

Think I went to the Church in the Rocks too, Polly. Must have a look through my postcard collection and holiday diaries!