Today’s port of call is Helsinki, Finland.  A drizzly morning turned warm and sunny which is always welcome.  The ship docks a ways away from the City Center.  We had some Shore Excursion credit so we did a ship sponsored tour.  It was a Helsinki Highlights and Finnish Food Tastings Tour.  One thing struck us as we toured, there always seemed to be water nearby and/or some green space or park.  It made it feel less concrete and steel and more nature oriented.  The architecture is such a mix of influences, including very modern buildings (of which I wish I had been able to get some pictures). 

First up was Sibelius Monument & Park, a tribute to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius.  It’s a modern abstract of over 600 steel tubes set on a rock in a beautiful park.  The sculpture was designed by female artist Eila Hitunen in 1967.

We continued onto the Temppeliaukio “Rock” Church.  A Lutheran church built into solid rock in 1969.  The ceiling is a coil of 14 miles of copper stripping which supposedly assists in its superior acoustics.   Very interesting church.

Then onto to the Helsinki Catherdral complete with the statute of Alexander the Second front and center in the middle of Senate Square.

And the Market Square

For our Finnish Tastings, we were treated to lunch at the Restaurant Savotta, compromised of reindeer sausage, lamb loin, mushroom spread, pickled herring, fresh trout, rye bread,  potatoes and some interesting other little morsel I did not catch.  Followed by dessert samples.  Very nice.

Along the way all throughout the day we’re lovely views, houses and scenes along the water.  These are my two favorite ones.

I am certain there is so much to see and do in this City on the Sea but our time was short today.  However, we enjoyed our introduction to Finland and their capital city.