Preview of Tunia's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tunia/5/1260526792/tpod.html This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Helsinki, Finland Entry Title: "Helsinki Arrival & Sightseeing" Entry: "30 Nov 09 I had set one alarm for early morning mainly cause I wanted to go outside and see the day start off but it was too dark still and nobody was coming with me. Anyways, I couldn't hold myself much. I woke up, and as part of the morning refreshments, used the jacuzzi shower in the cabin bathroom. And, I was dressed, ready by 5:20am Then, I went back to my bunk for some more nap. 9:41am --- The announcement had been made, we were near to Olympia Terminal, southern harbour of the shipping port. The ship was going to dock now and we all went to the Deck for the Helsinki View and the whole enjoyment of a ship cruise. Lots of media captured here!!! After deporting, near the exit gate of Olympia Terminal, we asked the Sightseeing Guide for available options. She told us about the Bus Tour and also we were interested in the Tram Tour so she pointed us towards the Tram Stop for 3T Tram Line. Just at the end of the Olympia Terminal, the 3T Tram colored in green and yellow starts its one hour Helsinki Tour. When we reached close to the stop, we saw the Tram coming, so everyone started running :-x Tram ride was real fun, Helsinki is filled with Tram Lines. Saw the Finland Architecture and the important buildings. 12pm. Returned to Olympia Terminali. Not sure of next venture, we were having ideas for Espoo, so I asked in the Pressbyran who told me that there was a bus from near the Rlwy Stn. We started on Walking Tour of Helsinki Downtown towards the Helsinki Central Railway Station (asked for directions to pedestrians all the way), stopped at the Lutheran Church when it started to drizzle, took pics, and from inside Downtown Shopping Streets, we got to the main road and a little away from the Station. Inside the Station, we went upstairs in the main hall and into the Tourist Center. Here, the Guide suggested us that we could either go to Espoo by bus or go to Suomenlinna by ferry in the Market Square. We decided for Suomenlinna. Returned the same directions but through different streets to Market Square past the orange booths (as guided by a pedestrian) where fresh fish is sold. and straight towards the HKL Suomenlinna Office. We got the tickets from the automatic ticket machine outside the office, saw the ferry coming and got it right on time. Suomenlinna Fortress is a very beautiful island, its widely spread out and completely captured by walking and reading the story in the info boards. It falls under UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has a very important place in Finnish History. It was too cold and chilly windy at this time of the day, we went into the Chapman Restaurant for hot beverage after a tour of the Vistor's Center. Outside the rain had kicked off quite nicely and it was too much mixed with the windchill. Return walk towards the Dock. This time went to the top deck of the ferry for a different view. It was dark now and getting close to return to Serenade. Our last pleasure trip, we walked towards Olympia but changed to the right and walked on the Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu Street passing many food shops and got to the S Market & Hesburger area. Our walk back was on the parallel Etelainen Makasiinikatu Street and also a Chinese grab from Dragon Phoenix Restaurant. After check in, we got to the Serenade Deck for the Helsinki Evening Landscape. The Entertainment began around 6pm, we caught all the programs this time, and the show was on even after Dee's Club Band at Altantic Palace. Yes, the Helsinki sea really was making us aware that we are on water as we could genuinely feel our movements on the ship. THAT WAS MAJOR ENJOYMENT :-DDD" Read and see more at: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/tunia/5/1260526792/tpod.html Photos from this trip: 1. "Helsinki View" 2. "Seagulls" 3. "Deck view" 4. "Early morning" 5. "Helsinki Scenery" 6. "Serenade embarked" 7. "Escalator near the Helsinki Rlwy Stn" 8. "Traffic Sign" 9. "Superman" 10. "Downtown Helsinki" 11. "Helsinki Nature" 12. "Helsinki Trees" 13. "Helsinki Winter" 14. "Tram Photo" 15. "Near a Highway" 16. "Looking into the HKL Map" 17. "T Tram Snap" 18. "Ice Skating Rink" 19. "Helsinki Building" 20. "Helsinki Architecture" 21. "Chocolate color building" 22. "Helsinki subarb" 23. "Outside Olympia Terminal" 24. "Olympia Shipping Port" See this TripWow and more at http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00c0-230a-e60f?ytv4=1

• published: 14 Dec 2010
• views: 418