20260403 Helsinki

Hi all! Just a short post. We took the morning ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki. It’s a two and a half hour trip in a big beautiful ferry that was more like a department store. Clothing, food, liquor, wine, beer, toys – more space devoted to retail than to passenger seating. Luckily we were in ‘Comfort Class’ as the ship was jammed with children, all having an absolutely wild and wonderful time.

We arrived in a cold light drizzle and had no trouble boarding a tram to the hotel. Our rooms were ready at 10 AM, and we set out on foot to explore. NOTHING OPEN. Good Friday. Streets deserted. We found the big cathedral, the music hall, the theatre, and the Rock Church. Photos below.

Finland was under Swedish rule for 600 years, then Russian for 100. The country became independent after the Russian Revolution in 1917. A relatively young country. The architecture is mostly mid to late twentieth century, with a few new impressive cultural buildings. The Rock Church is interesting. The most beautiful building is the train station, where we enjoyed a good Italian meal in a large elegant space.

Anyway – sorry – that’s about all I know! Good Friday is very quiet. Perhaps the next three of our days in Finland and Sweden will be quiet as well. Tomorrow’s train leaves at 7 AM for a long trip north, passing very close to the Russian border.