Memories of the Batlics and Helsinki.

At the Hill of Witches, Curonian Spit, Lithuania.

This is the diary of my trip to the Baltics in 2013 and as with a few trips now, my brother was my travel partner.  We're now in a pattern of doing a big trip together every year and I'm thrilled to pieces about that.  There's no other way that I would rather spend a few weeks than to be traveling with him.  Besides, no one else knows how to put up with me better than him! :-)

Helsinki. Last Hours.

Enjoying lunch at Kauppatori.

After spending the morning exploring more of Helsinki, we were back at the Hotel Finn to finish up packing and check out of the hotel.  Since we weren't actually leaving Helskini until later on in the afternoon, we stashed our bags safely inside a storage locker at the hotel.  A side note about the staff at the hotel.  We've only been here three days and two nights and I don't think we've seen the same face behind the reception desk the entire time we've been here but every single person has been so warm and friendly.  Who says Finns are reserved have not met these folks!

Going to Church.

Inside Temppeliaukio Church.

The highlight of our day today was going to church. We started with breakfast back at Killan's, the same place we munched at yesterday morning.  I guess we could have gone to try another place but Killans's so convenient and reasonably priced.  Of course, we are on vacation so no desire to really rush....we took our time at breakfast.  Not to mention that it was still really early in the morning and whatever we wanted to go see was most likely not open yet.

Discovering Helsinki.

Uspenski Cathedral.

Grand Uspenski Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary, sits high up on a hill; we could easily see it as we were walking about Kauppatori market.  After our snack of fried vendace, we made our way towards the cathedral.  It wasn't quite clear on our map on exactly how to get up to cathedral from where we were standing in the market so we just followed our instincts.  Soon enough we met up with people heading in the same direction so we just joined the crowd.

Exploring Suomenlinna Island.

At the fortress on Suomelinna Island.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h!  It was a slow rise for me.  Despite the fact that our hotel is located on a street filled with restaurants, cafes and bars which were hopping with activity well into late night and that I slept right next to an opened window, I slept like a lamb last night.  I woke up rested and ready to rock and roll!

Greetings Helsinki!

Posing in front of Helsinki Cathedral.

Ready to go?

 Those were the words I had for Bro. It had been barely half hour since we had checked into our room when I was already to hit the streets of Helsinki. We only have two days here and as always, I want to make sure we don't waste a minute of our valuable time. Bro is as much of an eager beaver as I am so it rarely takes any convincing to get him going - he is definitely one to sit still.....just like his Sis :-)

We unloaded our backpacks, left behind our jackets, grabbed our map and closed the door behind us.

We stepped out into a gorgeous day.  Our hotel is on a pedestrian only stretch of street that is linked with plenty of restaurants and cafes.  It was around lunch time and there were a lot of folks eating al fresco.  The summer season is short here so they have to make the most of it!

With Bro navigating, we walked towards Mannerheimintie, the main avenue that runs through the city. Our hotel is just about a half block away.