Helsinki and Tallinn (Estonia)

Getting there is half the fun

We chose to take the overnight ferry.  For $240 we got a room for 2 with private bath/shower and a buffet breakfast.  The ship, Silja's Symphony is a massive 13-level ship with a casino, many restaurants, duty free shops and bars.  Since we saved on a night's hotel, the transportation was almost free.

Silja Symphony overnight ferry to Helsinki

On Deck 7 of the Silja Symphony to Helsinki

And the food (rabbit) was good!

Sunset around 11:20 PM

Arrived on Monday June 25, and met Mika Boos for lunch.  I worked with Mika I was at Fairchild. 

Later, Alexandra and I schmied around Helsinki, eventually winding up the day at Lappi for some reindeer and fried bait fish - cuisine from Lapland (the northern region of Finland).

It was no problem getting a table on short notice.  Apparently the demise of Nokia has taken a big chunk out of their business.  In Salo, where Mika lives, Nokia closed down their facilities several years ago, and the town's economy is analogous to Detroit.  Housing prices have fallen as the jobs disappeared.

The HAM (Helsinki Art Museum) around the corner from our hotel (Helka)

The next day, we rented Helsinki city bikes (5e/day) and rode around town.

Nice way to see Helsinki in good weather!  Yet another Scandinavian city that stays up late, like the sun in the summer.
On Wed. 6/27 it's off to Tallinn, Estonia.   Just a 2 hour ferry from Helsinki.
Our Hotel, 'Our City" is a charming building in the old city.  The restaurant in the basement was a pleasant surprise, as we were both pretty tired.

At Viru Gate in Tallinn