Interesting day in Helsinki

Pleasant but cool morning as we arrived in Helsinki, having crossed the Gulf of Finland (and a substantial Russian naval establishment). An unremarkable outer dock but with massive redevelopment and extension underway. Took the shuttle into the city, but could almost as easily taken a tram.

Helsinki is the only European capital with no medieval history. It was never much more than a village until Sweden built a huge fortress on an island outside the harbour in 1746 and the village boomed as it supplied the fortress. When Finland was overtaken by Russia in 1809 (remaining part of the Russian Empire well into the 19th century), the capital was moved to Helsinki and the city's new public buildings were modelled on St Petersburg. Helsinki was used for the filming ot Dr Zhivago because filming in Russia was not possible during the Cold War.

We wandered up to Senate Square (with its statue of Alexander II - Finland's favourite czar) via an attractive promenade, the Lutheran Cathedral, below the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral (built in 1868 for the Russian military when Finland belonged to Russia), around the inner harbour and Market Square. The waterfront is a key part of the city and is a hive of activity with boats of all sizes constantly on the move.

The city has a very comprehensive tram system, including one big figure of 8 loop line which we rode and which travels past the impressive central railway station, the National Gallery, through the shopping and entertainment districts, trendy apartment blocks, the National Opera House, the 1952 Olympics site, a working class district and through the Embassy area. It proved an interesting trip. We first met a female Law Professor from Seattle (travelling on another ship), then a young Finnish law student who was both informative and keen to talk. He alighted just before the working class district, from where we had the pleasure of the company of the town drunk - but he was a happy middle aged drunk, keen to engage us in loud conversation. So we had a most interesting exchange for the next 20 minutes or so, with much laughter on both sides, and without a word of common language. I wonder if he will ever know how Helsinki memorable our meeting was!!!

Helsinki is a very pleasant city, with a big CBD, and it is very pleasing to the eye with its lack of high rise developments and the manner in which it has integrated new development with old buildings. Spent time wandering the essentially pedestrianised inner city streets, to the City's most famous statue, the "Three Blacksmiths", which honors hard work and co-operation. The statue stands outside Helsinki's very classy iconic, 8 floor, Stockmann Department Store.

With an early sail off,  it's time to head back to Regal Princess. Another formal night tonight with a beautiful dinner featuring cray tail dishes - how lucky are we. Another excellent full production show brought the day to an end - but another early one tomorrow.