Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Stockholm, Sweden: Helsinki to Stockholm


It was the end of a gorgeous and full day of travel, having made our way through the Swedish fjords in the Baltic Sea.  We had traveled twelve hours on the Galaxy ferry boat from Finland to Sweden, our final stop being Stockholm.  Once in town and on limited time, there was little for much else besides a bite to eat or turning in.
I quickly joined a couple of friends and headed out to Akkurrat.  A popular and well respected high end beer bar on the outskirts of town, serving bar food to the likes of salads, samplers and English-style chips and mussels.  I'm not into beer, nor mussels, so I can't say that I would have considered this destination on my own, but thanks to the beer aficionado in the bunch, I'm thankful for the experience.  My eyes were opened to a beer culture that I never knew existed.  Akkurrat is by far a beer connoisseurs dream.  Not knowing beer, but, recognizing good ambiance and good company I can say that Akkurrat lent itself to that too.  After sharing a plate of goat cheese salad, chicken fingers, chips and mussels, we were quite stuffed and heavy with fatigue.  Two beers into the evening and two hours later, we found ourselves in the back of a taxi headed back to the hotel.
In all, it was a great day and evening.  Now, if only there were more time in town to explore Stockholm.  Oh well, next time,.....I better get some shut eye for my lengthy workday tomorrow.  Good night Sweden!

















Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Helsinki, Finland: My 12 Hour Day.....

7:00 a.m.  On the morning ferry in Tallin, Estonia headed to Helsinki, Finland.
Thick morning marine layer.  Good Bye Tallin!

7:30a.m.  Ferry sundeck.

8:00a.m.  Breakfast.

8:30a.m.  Gina's thrill and excitement.  Her first ferry ride ever.  Yay!!!

Hmmmmm.

Sunrise.  Tallin, Estonia.  Departing for Helsinki.

The Tallin Superstar Ferry.

Morning joy.

Anyone seen the toilet?

How shall we pass the time?  Supermarket?
Shopping Mall?

All aboard. 

A zen moment traveling the Baltic Sea.

Calming seas.


Two hours later.  9:30a.m.

Exiting.  What awaits us today?


Welcome to Helsinki.  9:45a.m.


  Here we go yet again.  Our caravan disembarks.

They await.

Home away from home.

Art and Design Museum.  Helsinki, Finland.

Street crossing.  Looking for food.

On our way to the harbor.

Eco friendly lifestyle.  Bikes! bikes! bikes!

Found the Marimekko flagship store.

Still admiring this glassware set from two years ago.
Just buy it already!!!

Strips and polkadots.  Marimekko.

Marimekko textiles. 

Me in front of the Marimekko store.  




Admiring the Marimekko table cover.

Harbor Farmers Market.

Harbor Farmers Market.  Wrap it up!  End of day.  Time to go.

Uspenski Orthodox Church.

Uspenski Orthodox church, again.

Boats docked at the harbor.

Reindeer fur for sale.  Poor Rudolph. :(  No comment.

Ah, Finland!

Finnish Lutheran Cathedral near the harbor and a pedestrian street.

Lady Gaga fans camped outside her hotel.  They await.
Oh, Little Monsters!..... 

Sidewalk cafe. Finally!  Time for a meal.  6:30p.m.

Yes!...  Ahhhh,  refreshing beverage. :)

My panzanella salad before my pizza.  So fresh!
I'm excited and so hungry.  Yum!!! 

The End