Again we tried to visit the rock church but it was closed again. We noted they were open for a couple of hours in the arvo and planned to get back there. Luckily it was only 2 blocks from our hotel so not out of the way.
We took another short boat ride this time to Suommenlinna Island. This island has in the past been a Russian fortress in the early 1800's - early 1900's before being taken back by Finland when they achieved thier independance. The island has heavily fortified cannon positions, underground bunkers and very large, man made, rock walls and many many old buildings. Again this was a UNESCO site and fascinating to walk around (in the cold again!!) We stopped for lunch and Mark loved his chunky smoked salmon soup. Hot and comforting.
On the way back we visited the Sibelius Monument (another Emmeline recommendation) which was quite fascinating, though tricky to find.
We then finally got inside the rock church and it was well worth it. So fascinating and beautiful. Mark was amazed by the engineering and "how did they build it" was his question. The interior ceiling was small strips of copper sheeting in a circular pattern. It looked like a cross section of a tree with the rings but was at least 30 mts across. Surrounding this copper ceiling was then glass all around being supported by concrete spines back to the rock face. There was also an average size pipe organ inside and they had lovely music playing to help create the solemn mood. We were happy to just stop and sit and take it all in.
We ended our day with a lovely dinner in the hotels restaurant. A bottle of Chilean merlot (very fine) to accompany my guinea fowl and Marks reindeer steak. We finished up with desserts of local berries and fruits.
Though we only had 2.5 days in Helsinki it truly feels like we have had at least a week here. We have seen many great things and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Though the cold weather was challenging it was also part of the experience to rug up and we have become experts in a very short time on how to get scarves, gloves, hats, jackets etc on and off quickly.
We are sitting in the airport now and about to board our plane to Prague.
More from there'
xD
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9 comments:
it sounds like trying new foods is half the fun. make sure u post some photos of helsinki as soon as u can, im keen to see what it looks like. prague next, im so jealous! love u both. xxxx
Helsinki....brings back great memories again....we loved the rock church & I recall John was just as amazed as Mark....can't remember if we had it quite so cold....maybe it's like childbirth & you don't remember those not so good bits!!!
How fantastic your trip to Tallin sounds....it's a wish of ours to get to Russia one day & something like that would definitely give you a taste....
Keep travelling safe....you're doing places we long to visit...maybe on our next Europe trip
Love to both
I would bless the thermal clothes God too, but does it come in my size? Are you wearing beanies as well as scarves and gloves?
To us on the Gold Coast, this type of weather is extreme. At least you've had some practise from living in Perth and Melbourne.
Loving the blog.
xx
Nice long stories and plenty of description just great like being there with you both..keep safe and warm, hanging out for the next installment..lots of love xx
We told Mark he would be greatful for those thermals, lucky he listened to us hey Dominique. I am glad you made it out to suommenlinna, i really enjoyed my day out there. Can't remember the monument that I recommended to you though, will have to search through my photos again to remind myself. I can just taste the reindeer steak mark, hope it was as good as the reindeer we had. Sounds like you are having a ball and will have many stories to tell. Can't wait to see what you have to say on one of my favourite cities, Prague. You will LOVE it.
bloody hell what fun!!!!
HAve just read your blog to Angela who is feeling poorly on my couch. We are delighted by your details & funny accidents/missing trains etc.
Mark forget lemon meringue pie from A's lemon tree since the violent winds (no M.Mary not THAT type of wind) caused her tree to be sqaushed by a falling v. large branch- it was WILD here last wed as Sue will probably tell u. Keep on writing & don't be distracted by having too good a time.
A requests recipes for salmon'chunky soup'.
love mish & a
In a fuzz,.... the food, so different and so yummy- we had plain vegetable[homemade]soup with toast today, weather turned cold,so boring after reading your menus. What contrasts of buildings you have seen, and some good experiences to laugh over later. Am loving your descriptions of all and wish we had travelled, Keep enjoying all. Much love
Just letting you know we have tried unsuccessfully to upload some photos and send a new blog from Prague. If we see another internet place we will try again.. but alas no luck this time.
xD
Sounds like you've managed to pack a hell of a lot into Finland. I can remember lots of trees and lakes. Not sure that we did anything very cultural there, except about a 10km walk with our backpacks on to a hostel in the countryside. Worth it when we saw the scenery the next day though. Hey, good advice to go to Estonia too!!
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