Thursday May 21st Helsinki

Another day a a new port and a new country, Finland. We are now in the Eastern European time zone 2 hours ahead of the UK so getting up early is more and more difficult. So we awake to a gloomy, cold and wet Helsinki with Regal Princess already berthed.

Off to breakfast to await the 'we are ready to let you ashore' message from the bridge. Decide that despite the possibility it might dry up we will venture ashore. Umbrellas and waterpoofs donned we catch the shuttle bus into town

We pass the food market on the Quayside

and head up towards Senate Square with the Government Palace on one side which was formerly the Senate of the Grand Dutchy.

On the north side of the Square is the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Nocholas

Then on past the impressive railway Staion

To the Rock Church which is so named because it is fashioned out of Rock, not its type of music!

Then walk along the main shopping street, Mannerheimintie.

And then finally to see the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral

with its ornate interior

Then back to the ship for lunch and a bit of pool time. The sun came out during the afternoon and it was really most pleasant in and beside the (inside) pool.

Another show by the headliners this evening then on to Saint Petersburg for two hectic days of exploring: we hope we are up for it. At least the weather forecast is much better!

There are two ways we access the internet abroad on a cruise. The ships internet is slow and paid for by time at 25p a minute. We also have a 3 dongle which is paid for by MB used and is MUCH cheaper. We have been on the dongle today and had all afternoon on line for next to nothing! This is the first port, apart from Southampton, where we have had mobile signal that is compatible with our 3 dongle.