Well, back on dry land again! Once again not much of a sunrise, but I’ll have to find out why I could see the sunset last night and the sunrise this morning both from my balcony! Final breakfast and then to the packing. The ship moved to its embarkation pier and I trundled my case once again from one end of the ship to the other. Not easy on carpet, give me a nice pavement (but not cobblestones) anytime. I retrieved my power-board from security (not allowed to use them on the ship) and off the gangplank for the last time. There were already queues waiting to get on and we had only just started getting off!!

Found the taxi queue and had a quick drive in to Stockholm and the hotel. Very nice that it was a Sunday morning almost no traffic on the roads that time of day. Mind you is was still $66 and it is at least a 40 minute trip to the airport on Tuesday, so going to be way more!

As it was only just after 9, I left my bags with the hotel and then started walking. I needed 10 special munzees for the clan requirements that I hadn’t been able to get before I left. I had taken a picture of the route I was taking and made sure someone in the hotel knew where I was going!

4+ hours & 10 km later I got back to the hotel, mission accomplished and a few others found as well, lol. It was a great morning as there was very little traffic and no people, all sleeping in, lol. It was much busier after around 11. During the walk I met one of the local players and he and another are meeting me at the hotel this evening. Checked in and not sure if there’s something going on, but my room in the Scandic in Copenhagen was 226 of 230 so nearly at the end of building, this time I am at the end of the building on the top floor, miles of corridors, LOL. Will be interesting to see where I get at the Scandic in Aarhus.

Had a rest, showered, now blog writing and once all sorted am going to go down and have an early dinner of something Swedish I hope.

 State Library

Where the Nobel prizes are awarded each year

Only one more sleep aboard ship and then the next leg of the holiday starts. Not quite sure where the last few days have gone! Disembarkation has to be before 6 am or after 8 am as in-between the ship relocates to its home berth for the embarkation of new passengers. We are currently docked at the ferry terminal. Lots of truck trailers waiting to be moved on to them.

Sweden is comprised of 24,000 islands and I think I must have seen most of them coming in. I was up at3 for the 3.36 sunrise, which didn’t happen as way too much cloud. But the islands had started and they continued for the next 4 hours as we cruised on up to Stockholm. Would have been lovely to see if the sun had been out, lots of conifers and on the outlying islands an occasional house of 2. Closer in they became more built up and nearly every house has a flag pole.

Anyway, today’s tour was of the city and the Vasa Museum. The Vasa is an amazing ship considering it sank on its maiden voyage and then was left underwater for 333 years. After salvage she was continually sprayed, for 17 years, with polyethylene glycol to replace the water in the oak structure. Once the Vasa got to that point a building was erected around her and is the most visited museum in Scandinavia. It is temperature controlled and low lighted, but very interesting, there were 7,000 carvings on her. However, they haven’t yet worked out how to stop the slip, she is resting on, from disintegrating in the future, but are sure they will work it out before it does!

The weather was quite cold and dull when we started, but had blue skies and sunshine when we exited the Museum.

Did a little more driving and then back to the ship. As this is a new port the driver and guide weren’t sure which gate we had to go back through as all of them were labelled for ferries. We did get through eventually, but then had to drive around all the truck-trailers, which were waiting. Lunch, a read, blog writing and then dinner and bed. Not sure what time breakfast is on offer tomorrow, but I’ll do my packing while the ship is relocating!

 Sunrise, not. lol
The original stern and it’s reconstructed model

P.S. for last night. Went to the event, nothing special really, except the Captain didn’t attend because the weather wasn’t good. I did wake a few times and hear the hangers in the wardrobe knocking the insides, but it wasn’t much and someone this morning said it was a rough night, but I think they must have been on a different ship, lol.

So, back to today. Missed the sunrise as the time said 4.06 and it was up at least 5 minutes before that. I’ve been getting up to the deck at least 15 minutes beforehand, but dallied this morning!!

My tour was supposed to be at 8 but was delayed until 10, so had breakfast again up in the Diamond Club and another chat with the concierge. Got to the end of the pier early so did some people watching until the bus arrived. This was a Town & Country tour, so we went off to the country first to a working dairy farm and had a tasting of their cheeses, feta and yoghurt. All very nice. Watched a short video on how their cheese is made which was interesting, I don’t think I have seen the process before. Then we stopped of to walk through someone’s house, built in the 1960s. Several of us felt very uncomfortable doing so, we couldn’t work out why one would let umpteen strangers walk through every room in your house and then give them cake and refreshments in the garden!

The country part was lovely, lots of pine trees and forests as well as open fields. There are only 1.3 million people in the whole country!

Tallinn was originally made up of 2 towns, the upper New Town, comprising German winter houses and run by Germans and the lower, Old Town which was run by the town council. We had a walk through the oldest cathedral which is decorated with the coats of arms of all those married in it.

Saw the old city wall and its towers in some areas and lots of cobbled streets to walk along to get back to the bus and the ship. Lunch eaten at 3 pm, now blog time and we will be sailing for Stockholm soon.

P.P.S. to Russia. A couple who were in Russia 8 years ago were amazed at how much it had changed. Lots more signs with English as well as Russian, and the fact that people could go where they wanted. They said that no one had been allowed anywhere else but bus to museum or souvenir shop, straight back to bus. I must admit I was quite surprised on our walking tour when our guide said that if any of us got lost we would find the group at the Church on Spilled Blood.

No sunrise this morning, way too many clouds. Both the ships that were in the way yesterday had departed, which would have been good if the sun was visible, lol. (By 7.30 there were 2 more docked)

It rained most of the morning, but had stopped by lunchtime.

I had a simple continental breakfast up in the Diamond Club as I thought I should try it at least once. Once the 2 chatty Australians left I was all by myself in silence, it was lovely. Apart from the rooms there is piped music everywhere, even on deck, so it was great to have quiet. Had a chat with the concierge when he popped in and then back to my room. Had lunch and then headed out to the meeting point, once again on the other side of immigration.

This tour was of the Winter Palace and the Hermitage which is seamlessly joined to it. There are 10 buildings to the Hermitage throughout St Petersburg, 5 of them in this one spot. Catherine the Great bought 3 million pieces of art and then needed to house it all as a private collection. Nowadays, 5 million people visit annually. Our guide said it wasn’t too bad today, as we only had a 20 minute wait in the queue to get in and it wasn’t overly crowded. Well, I wouldn’t like to be there at all when it’s very crowded, today was bad enough, LOL. Everyone had said I had to visit it, but it wasn’t really my cup-of-tea, lol. I did like the ceilings and the enormous vases though, especially the malachite ones. We weren’t allowed to use a flash so the photos are a little dull.

Then back to the ship and more long queues as the gangplank was going up at 5.30 and it was 5.15 already. There’s an event on tonight for those who sail frequently, so might see if I can stay awake long enough to go to it, lol.

 As good as it got Catherine’s throne, made in England

Egyptian Room

P.S. to last night. Was going to sit out on the balcony with my cheese and fruit, but when I saw the size of the green mosquitoes sitting on the glass door, I gave up that idea, 1.5-2 cm, huge beggars!!!!

Sunrise was at 3.37 and sunset tonight is 10.25 and once again no balcony sitting as the mossies have been there all day!! Nothing much in the morning, pleased though with an afternoon tour as it rained during the morning, not much, but it was wet, lol.

Got to the tour meeting spot on the pier outside immigration an hour early. We have to do a passport check both ways and it’s a slow process. The staff aren’t very happy either, rather glum in fact.

This tour was a bus one looking at the sights, and even though had seen some of them, new ones also appeared. I worked out what had happened to the camera so got lots of pictures. Main problem is that there are at least 7 large cruise ships in port and that makes for lots of tourists and buses and congestion. The bus could only park a distance away from the designated photo stops. We also had an elderly and frail gentleman with us and it took a while getting him on and off the bus. First stop was St Isaac’s Cathedral, then the souvenir shop (I stayed on the bus). More driving and a few pauses and then a stop a long way from the Church on Spilled Blood (with scaffolding of course). I didn’t go as we only had 15 minutes and it would take me 10 to get there!! Couple of other stops and then back to the ship in time for dinner!

Another afternoon tour tomorrow.

 Europe’s tallest building  St Isaac’s  Peter & Paul Fortress River Neva Church on Spilled Blood

P.S. to yesterday. I brought some cheese & dried fruit back last night to eat whilst finishing my book. I looked up and there was a seagull, as bold as brass, sitting on my railing watching the food. He didn’t get any!!! Not good for little birdies I told him!

Sunrise was at 3.36, so I once again braved the cold winds and got a few snaps of it. However, I came back to bed and a short nap before breakfast.

Waited for the tour group to assemble and then we had to make our way through Russian Immigration. Very, very slow! Then on to the bus. We had a drive into the central part of the city. Interesting changes in architecture. Lots of old flats, which had been built as not-quite temporary accommodation, but the tenants are happy in them as close to all the city infrastructure. The new apartments aren’t serviced enough for people to want to move out.

Great looking historical buildings though on the route. I was rather brave in my choice of tours this time, it was a walking tour. It was a little bit fast, but I did stay with them! Peter the Great had wanted the city to be like Venice and planned lots of canals, but after some serious flooding most of them were filled in and are now roads.

We had the obligatory stop at a souvenir shop, but way too crowded for me, so I waited at the park meeting spot instead, much more interesting.

Our final goal was the Church of the Resurrection of Christ also known as Church of our Saviour on Spilled Blood as it was built on the assassination site of Emperor Alexander II.

I don’t know what happened to the camera, but all the photos I took between the sunrise and the bus trip back to the ship didn’t save on the card. It isn’t full or I wouldn’t have got the last ones, and I took lots and lots. So you’ll have to wait until tomorrow’s tour to get some outside pictures. I used my phone for inside as a flash was not allowed and I know how to turn that one off!

The inside of the Church is full of mosaics. Done in the reverse method. The picture was drawn on linen, the mosaic attached to it, then stuck on metal and when hung the linen removed from the front and polished. A much quicker way of producing a mosaic than the usual method.

Bus tour tomorrow afternoon, so blog will be late. Hopefully weather like today, our guide said they only have 60 days of sun a year and today was one of them!

My visitor

 Mosaic granite floor Wall mosaicTiny part of interior

We put our clocks forward an hour last night. Sunrise was at 3.54 this morning and sunset tonight is an amazing 10.50 pm and then there’s the twilight, will probably still be light when sunrise happens tomorrow!

My Helsinki tour by road and rail had been cancelled so opted for a city tour instead. We had a drive around first and then a short stop at Senate Square and the Cathedral. We then had more sightseeing before parking and then walked several blocks to the Temppeliaukio Church. This is a circular church built into the rocky hillside, so it has amazing granite walls. Managed to find a few physical munzees on the way back to the bus, which was nice.

From there we then went to the Sibelius Monument. It was the first piece of abstract art displayed in the city back in the 1960’s. Some more driving around, a quick stop at the Olympic arena which is being renovated and then back to the ship.

After lunch, back in my room realised that I hadn’t put out any munzees so I could get Finland added to my list of countries, and found a little mystery trail near the ship, so found a couple of them and left a couple of my own. Back writing blog, charging up everything that needs it and going to see if I can finish my book before dinner.

Weather was quite nice today, a few clouds around, but has been mostly sunny. It got quite warm in the bus when waiting for others to come back. Buses aren’t allowed to idle when parked, so no A/C until they are back on the road. Same thing in Germany, it’s a pollution minimising device.

Entrance to Helsinki Helsinki Cathedral Rock church  Interesting museum icon Sibelius Monument

All day at sea today, so even lazier than usual, lol.

Once again watched the sunrise at 4.30 , I reckon I’m the only silly beggar doing so! Quite fresh and windy this morning. Sat in the Solarium for a while, whilst not very warm, it was way warmer than outside. Then breakfast and a sit out on the balcony. Had to wear a coat, but the sun was warm even if the wind wasn’t!

Lunch was interesting they had whole herrings on offer, managed to grab a few bones with the meat, but nice.

Have spent the afternoon sorting out some munzee stuff for the Danish events in July.

Will be having dinner in a little while and then sleep. BTW, I didn’t see the end of last night’s movie, I nodded off, LOL. Tonight’s sunset is at 9.47, won’t be seeing that either!!! We have to put our clocks forward an hour tonight so that could be interesting in the morning!

The Baltic Sea

Awoke at 1 am, and it was actually reasonably dark outside. We were cruising past Langeland, but all I could see were a few flashing lights at intervals. Pity I missed the bridge at Nyborg, that would have been interesting to see.

Anyway, awake again at 3.15 and getting light, so once again headed upstairs to see the sunrise. Not as good as not many clouds around. Stood at the front for a long while as it was lovely out, a little fresh, but no wind. We went into the harbour area for a fair way and then did a 180 degree turn around and headed back out to our berth, which we had passed on the way in. Lots of gulls flying around and one even joined us for a rest and a preen. Breakfast was completely different to yesterday, long queues as there were some all day tours to Berlin, so people having to leave early. My tour wasn’t until 10, so watched harbour happenings for a while, lots of ferries and other ships to see. Sat out on the pier for a while waiting for the bus, very fresh there as the wind had picked up and the seats were in the shade!

Very nearly had a munzee disaster as once we left the vicinity of the ship and its wi-fi, my sim kept saying no data which was not right. We did a drive through Wundemünde and then headed to Bad Doberan to see the monastery. Whilst there I called the help line of the sim card and fixed it, phew.

Then on to Rostock, where we had a drive around the city and saw some of its old defensive wall and gates. 7 is an important number here, 7 gates, 7 spires, etc and the mayor serves for 7 years. We had a walk around the market square and then back to the ship for a late lunch and a laze, dinner and then blog. I’m actually going to do a first for any of my cruises, I’m going to watch a film on the TV. (It usually only get turned on to take a photo of our positional map.) But the latest How to train your dragon movie is on at 8 and hopefully I won’t fall asleep before it’s finished!

 Hitchhiker Monastery at Bad Doberan 7 spires of Rostock All the 7’sRoom with a view

Woke up at 3.15 and it was already getting light outside. Rather cold out on the balcony, but the sunrise was starting to look promising so wandered up to deck 12 so I could get some photos. (I don’t think I’ll be getting any sunset shots) It was like a ghost ship, not a person around anywhere!

Finally, a couple of crew started folding up deck chairs, the first evidence I was not alone, lol.

Got some photos and then wandered around a bit more before heading back to my room. Hit the Windjammer at 6 for breakfast, first one there!

Did a bit of reading and game playing before leaving the ship just after 9. Had a few chats with tourist volunteers as I made my way through the harbour to the main road. Sent a message and soon after Dorrit & Niels appeared. Niels is recovering from open-heart surgery and is looking good, apparently much better than he was looking last year.

We had a walk through the new library near the harbour, listened to some singing being performed as part of an arts festival. It was a marathon singing session so they will be singing for a while.

Around the outside of the library are various play areas with very different equipment for children.

From there we walked into the city outskirts to the Aarhus Street Food building. It used to be a bus repair depot, but now it’s like our food halls. Lots of different types of food and a large communal eating area in the centre. Heidi joined us for lunch as well, we had Danish from MorMors Kitchen, potato with crispy bacon pieces and beetroot, tarteletter and then some apple pancakes! All very yummy.

Sat and chatted for ages and then wended our way back to the harbour as Niels was due his afternoon nap. It was lovely to catch up and Mum, they send their love to you.

Didn’t do much besides read and play word games when I got back to the ship. Dinner (I had some duck for you Mum) and now back in my room, with a towel aardvark on the bed, and another 3 hours of daylight, lol.

 Sunrise  Giant bear slide Dorrit, Niels & Heidi