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

Had a lazy start to the day after a couple of wakeful periods. At 1 am I think half of Copenhagen were partying in the street below my window, well maybe 3 or 4 lol. It was nice and peaceful for a while until the building demolish works started up at 3.30.

A little walk around the square and then breakfast. Headed out again to get a few munzees and realised on the other side of the square that I didn’t have my phone cable as it needed charging already. Back at my room I just did a bit of reading and game playing whilst charging up the phone, and then headed out for the munzees out the front of Tivoli. Mission accomplished, back to the hotel to get everything packed up to check-out. Caught a taxi to the cruise terminal and was eating lunch in no time at all. Chatted to a few people and then headed down to my room. Suitcase waiting outside already. Did the unpacking, met my stateroom attendant and then headed down to deck 5 for our mandatory emergency drill. Across the way was the Terminal building we had all checked in at. There are lots of small yellow-flowered plants growing all over its roof and there are nesting seagulls amongst the plants, including 2 tiny babies. Fascinating how adaptable they are.

Back to my room to grab the camera as my room was also near the seagull roofs. Once the pictures were taken I headed up to the Diamond Lounge, just because I could as I became eligible after last year’s cruise, lol. Chatted with a couple and their daughter for a while then time for dinner. Quick trip back to my room and then headed for the Windjammer dining room, which this trip is the complete other end of the ship, unlike last year’s cruise where we were right under it.

Dinner done, now it’s blog writing time, then shower & bed. As the sun doesn’t set until 10 pm. I can watch the shores of Sweden drifting past as hopefully I drift off, lol. (Just coming up to Elsinore/Helsingborg)

Tivoli front entrance

 No idea, but liked all the flags The roof  One nesting gullSwedenFront view

My stars what a day, not even sure I can remember everything I’ve done in it, lol.

The day started early, it’s almost light at 3 am which is when I woke up to the sounds of someone doing some house renovating across from the hotel. Well it sounded like some sort of building works and as it ceased around 5. I reckon they were doing some personal work before heading off to real work! Went for a walk outside before the 6.30 breakfast. Several homeless sitting/sleeping on benches around the square or on the ground near the buildings, so decided I wasn’t venturing far.

Enjoyed breakfast, especially the pickled herring, the liver pate and the tiny whole potatoes. Back up to my room and then hit the streets about 9. Walked through the shopping precinct across to the botanic gardens and had a wander through them. Then headed towards Nyhavn, but discovered I had turned left at the wrong spot and was on the wrong side of Rosenborg Castle. So headed back and got onto the correct road. I noticed something going on ahead of me in the shape of police and pedestrians all standing around. Then, amazing enough I had timed something right, and the Queen’s guard where doing their shift change, so they came marching along and out through the gate. With a policeman in front and one behind they proceeded to march down the road holding up all the traffic.

Didn’t get to Nyhavn, got munzee sidetracked and then got to the spot where I was meeting the family for a canal cruise. Even though Jesse had phoned and said they were running late (they cycled in from home) we made the 2 pm sailing! It was rather sunny so I think I’m a little sun-burnt, but it was a good cruise, though I think the boys got a little bored. From there we went to the Round Tower. It’s a 9-storey building, but except for the last couple of floors, it is a paved spiral as the king who commissioned it wanted to ride his horse up and down it! The tower features in Hans Christian Anderson’s Tinderbox story with the dog with eyes the size of the Round Tower (I’m going to have a read of it again later tonight!) It was quite a hike, but there were interesting spots to visit along the way, like the privy, who’s contents went all the way down the basement. (Pleasingly not in use any more, lol) Also the gloss floor put in across the hollow core of the building, showing a very long drop down.

After the very narrow staircase at the top we had amazing 360 degree views of Copenhagen and surrounds. Lots of spires and other places of renown. Then the descent back down to the ground floor, easier than the going up!!!

Having worked up an appetite we had a buffet dinner at a restaurant Jesse and Cristina had heard was good. The two boys definitely enjoyed it, and so did the adults! Finally though we had to part company, so I gave them some Aussie gifts (Julius got the little kangaroo for his animal collection) and I wended my way back to the hotel. Bed very soon after this is posted!!!

Breakfast, check-out and cruise ship check-in tomorrow.

 Botanic garden Bed of irises Marching along…   The Round Tower

The family, you can just see the paving

 A tiny viewThe family

Had a lovely wander around the Town Hall block. Had my first meal from a hot-dog vendor, watched an amazing man with 3 strings of loops and a paddling pool of soap create thousands of bubbles to fly around the square in front of the Town Hall. Found that the Hall courtyard garden was open and had a wander through that, lovely rhododendrons. Back to the hotel for a quick refresh and then waited outside for Jesse. Fascinating watching all the cyclists here. Have so far only seen one person out of the many wearing cycling gear, all the rest in their daily clothes, including the man in his business suit! Jesse picked me up and we went back to his place. He normally cycles to work so his car is getting a work out, lol.

Had a tour of the garden, Cristina grows lots of fruit and veggies. They have refurbished their house almost completely from the walls inwards and is looking lovely. Christophe (11) and Julius (8) showed me their rooms up in what would be the attic at home, but not here. Great views!

Had thyme chicken, wild rice and raw carrots for dinner, yummy, and then 3 desserts. Fresh strawberries from the garden, picked and prepared by Christophe, then a whipped buttermilk something which Jesse made, and then Cristina’s chocolate cake. Then we made plans for today (Wednesday)

I was feeling rather tired by 8.30 and the trip back to the hotel, but it was still daylight outside!!!

Bubble blowing

Lovely seaweed/sea urchin over courtyard entrance

The chiming clock of the Town Hall from the courtyard

The fruit & veggie patch!

Gary picked me up at 3 and just 30 minutes later I was at the airport. As I had a connecting flight that wasn’t Qantas based I had to check in manually, almost a novel experience nowadays.

Boarding was a little delayed, at 18.15, but the plane was full. Had a nice man sitting next to me in the centre seat, he was going back to Wales as his elderly mother wasn’t doing well.

Flight was only 16 hours and 22 minutes, according to my logbook, and basically they kept the lights low or off the whole time. We had dinner a couple of hours after take-off and then came the trying to sleep bit. Managed some probably 4-5 hours all up. Played lots of games and read a bit. We breakfasted a couple of hours before landing, which was early, so I had plenty of time to get over to terminal 2 (only person on the bus) and found Heathrow is very quiet that time of the morning. Had to get a boarding pass and I was departing from Gate A26, which of course was at the end of the wing for gates 19-26.

Hour & 20-minute flight and once again trying to find ones way around another airport. Finally got to the baggage carousel and waited for the bags to start appearing, and amazingly, mine was the first off, I assume that means it was the last on, lol.

Jesse was waiting for me at the exit, easy to recognise him. He works at the airport, so that was rather nice. We then walked out to the pickup point and I waited for him to collect his car. I got in and started trying to find the steering wheel to help straighten myself up, just as I do at home, but of course the steering wheel was on the wrong side, LOL.

Everything is so green, it’s lovely. Jesse took the long way around to my hotel, which is opposite a square in front of the Town Hall, complete with chiming clock. It also has Tivoli on the other side of the square. I’m getting picked up again later and going to meet the rest of the family and have dinner. In the meantime, I got into my room super-early as check-in is 3 pm and I got here about 11 am. So, have had a shower and a change and feel much more human. A bit sleepy, but going to try and not do any napping until bed-time. Now that the blog is written I’m going outside for a wander around and to get some photos, so watch this space, lol.