Helsinki meat delicacies!!

Note the animal names on these tins of meat in the Helsinki harbourside food market!
No we did not buy any!

We were due in Helsinki at 08:30, but arrived about an hour early. We wandered off the ship and found ourselves without directions or signs! and we couldn't see how we should get out into the town. Eventually we went through an unlocked gate in the fence, across a car park, round the side of the terminal and out through the lorry exit and had a strip torn off by the female guard on the gate!

The market was just being set up and we stopped to look at a jewellery store. There were some unusual and beautiful pieces. The female store-holder told us that she and her husband designed all of the pieces. Her prices were very reasonable and we bought Fiona a lovely silver necklace and earring set.
We toure the market area on foot, and then turned up into the old town. We walked to St John's Church, which was not yet open, then on the the German Church, which was very plain, but quite attractive.
Just up from the here, in a park area, was The Observatory, but unfortunately it was closed. The park overlooked the south harbour and we could see several fine ships, but ours was out of sight in the north harbour beyond.

Helsinki has a good tram system and we saw several different ages of tram, including some very old style ones.

The old town has some very fine buildings and is very attractive.

We walked down from the old town and up to Senate Square. This is the neoclassic centre of the city, bordered by the Government Palace, the City Administration, the University, the University Library and the majestic Lutheran Cathedral of St Nicholas. A big stage had been set up in the square, facing the cathedral and it steps were being used as seating to watch teams of gymnasts performing routines to music for the watching crowd. These were obviously the teams here for the Gymnastics World Championships, and were entertaining to watch for a while.

We went into the Cathedral, which was very plain and unadorned, like the majority of the churches we have seen around the Baltic.
Helsinki is a lovely city, with very friendly people. It is somewhere we would be happy to visit again, for a longer period.