Day 10 - Stockholm

The Vasa! Gorgeous view as we headed into the harbor - the first time there was anything to watch as we came in. Had decided before we got there that we would spend our time at the Vasa Museum - great choice. Got transit tickets from the information kiosk, and instructions on which bus, metro and trams to take - and did OK until we hit the transition from Metro to tram - but a local who leads walking tours for the City information booth heard us talking, and said she felt it was her duty o show us the way. We prolly would have muddled it out, but with her help we were walked through the underground mall (missing the rain) in 5 minutes and caught a tram sitting there and waiting - got to the museum by 9:30, and it was relatively quiet.

 

 

We then spent the next three hours exploring everything - the Vasa is a 1600's ship that went down on its maiden voyage, only to be found in the harbor 333 years later, and salvaged such that 98% is original. Thoroughly enjoyed the museum. Also decided we were happy we hadn't used the NCL tours, if the rudeness of the one tour guide we encountered was typical of their lot.

Started back towards the main center, intending to take the metro, but ended up hearing the marching band headed for the palace, and the changing of the guard. So we followed! Saw them marching, saw the palace courtyard, and the changing through the back gate a bit, but with construction and crowds, were content with our glimpse.

Walked through the old town center, seeing a few of the sights, and enjoying the pedestrian streets, before heading back to the metro and walking to the ship. All in all, an enjoyable day, and all said they would be happy to visit Stockholm again. We treated to the same lovely view of the harbor and islands, habitués and uninhabited, as we headed back out to open water.

 

Day 9 - Helsinki

Arrived in Helsinki, and as we left the port on foot following the ship's information, we were informed that it was Midsummer's Day, and a holiday. Didn't sink in that that meant nothing was open, until Elsa had to go to the restroom, and absolutely nothing was open. She held it together until we got close to the center square, where we found a fancy hotel - I'm told they had fantastic restrooms.

After, we headed down to the local market, as it seemed to be the only thing going. Again as it was a holiday, we were informed it was a bit smaller than normal. One of the most expensive places we were - the girls got hungry, but weren't about to eat the salmon, so LL need up getting 5€ French fries.

 

 

With little else open, opted to take the boat to the UNESCO island site - enjoyed the boat ride, but choose the wrong direction to walk, and again the museums were closed. Elsa and Ainsley spent some time on a local playground, but we opted to take the next boat back. Good choice, as it started to rain shortly after we got on.

Overall, Helsinki wasn't our favorite stop.

 

Day 7 - St. Petersburg, Russia

Day 1

We got up early, had breakfast and went back to the room to grab our bags - good thing we did so, as folks were already starting to line up. Stood in line for the next bit to get off the boat, to then end up standing in the Russian immigration line - still made it through by 8:30, stamps in hand, to meet our tour guide. Unfortunately, the last party of our assigned tour wasn't so ready, as we did not get going until 9:30. Our guide was named Tatiana - never did get the drivers name.

Started the day with a hydrofoil to the Peterof Palace gardens, where we walked around, and learned a bit about Peter Ist's palace and preferences. Then headed to lunch, which was greatly enjoyed by Elsa. Afterward, we headed to Elizabeth's Palace and the Amber room. Elsa found a Russian doll, then we saw a bit of the gardens, before heading to the Peter and Paul Fortress. The whole day was a challenge for driving for two reasons - 6 ships in port, and the Red Sail celebrations for the school graduates, so the rest of us agreed to head to the ballet hall as there was no way to make the port and then have their new driver pick them up. After, we got a short stop at the souvioneer shop before heading back to the port - this time only one guy on at the immigration line, who stamped our passports back in.

After a late dinner, it was back to bed as the whole process was going to start again in the morning.

 

 

 

 

Day 8 - St. Petersburg

Day 2 in St. Petersburg

Started with a boat ride - on our own boat, as our guide requested it. Up past the Hermitage, the Naval University, saw more preparations for the Red Sail. Elsa wandered around, as did I, but everyone else stayed indoors. We got off on the opposite shore, and walked up to the Hermitage.

No small task to see it all, so we spent the time visiting highlights, which were well worth it - a Rembrandt, as well as a French Impressionist or two, before heading to local restaurant for lunch- another soup, a different noodle, and desert. Yesterday's food better, though this was an authentic location. After lunch, we headed to the house where Rasputin had his final meal.

 

 

 

 

Next, we went to the Church of the Spilled Blood . Classic spires, a magnificent interior. Gold leaf was in abundance, and used to highlight the various scenes on the walls and ceiling.

The classic image that Mom was looking for.

 

 

 

 

Last was St. Issac's Cathedral - magnificent interior again, though the exterior isn't as impressive as Spilled Blood. Once done here, time to head back to the ship as we were out of time!

 

 

Day 6 - Tallinn, Estonia

 

Ship landed early in the morning - but the port was right next to downtown, with a market section right in the port. Started by walking up to the old town, and were met by the cold weather. The hats, sweaters, furs and scarves of wool were immediate draws. Spent the day walking starting in the old town, where walking up what turned out to be one of the main streets, visited many of the local handicraft stores - Elsa, Mom and Lora Leigh found some wonderfully felted wool hats. After seeing the old Ghost Church, headed to Market Square, where Mom found another knit cap, and Elsa located her Swiss Cheese and mouse purse. We them climbed up to Toompea, the 'old' old town.

The view from the top was pretty good - and at that point, Ainsley found her cap. We split as Ainsley wanted to visit a branch of the store we had visited in Copenhagen, while Elsa Mom and I visited a different church, stopped for. Hot chocolate and picked up another few souvioneers. As we did so, Elsa saw her mom walking by the store - so we all made our way back to the ship together.

 

 

 

 

Day 4&5 - At sea, then Warenmunde, Rostock and Schwerin

Day 4- At sea. Didn't take a single picture. Tried a craft- making a paper box, which was kind of a bust, but went to a talk about the Russian Faberge eggs which was quite interesting. Even kept the girls interest.

Day 5 - Warenmunde

Got off the boat at 8, right on time - then figured out the tour didn't start until 9. Spent some time in the attached shop, and were rounded up by the guide, Volker, just before 9. Headed out on the local express, for the town of Rostock, catching a train and then the subway/tram down to the town square - in the square we learned about the local snake at the town hall, and the astronomical clock at the main church- using the clock, Volker correctly determined Elsa was born on a Saturday.

Headed from Rostock to Schwerin on the train - an hour ride. A walk through the town, and had lunch at a local restaurant which overlooked the castle. After, we walked the gardens - and had our questions answered all along the way. Elsa learned the name of the local serpent, but as she says it's a secret, she won't tell us.

We then headed back up to the train station and back to Warenmunde, where we headed for the beach. Due to issues with the train, we were all treated to an ice cream. At the beach, Elsa and Ainsley put their tootsies in the Baltic sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 - Copenhagen

Started the day dropping the bags off in lockers at the train station, then heading back to our favorite corner baker for breakfast. Another set of chocolate croissants, coffee and a hot cross bun, and we were ready for the day. Headed north on the S-bahn, getting off at the old citadel, and walking the ramparts, headed for the "Little Mermaid".

Thought we would try and get there before the crowds, but ended up there right in the middle of several tour busses, but still managed to get some good views, and Elsa started a sketch of what she was viewing. Stopped and had a snack of the cheese, salami and bread left from dinner, and to rest the feet.

Then we walked back around to the Citadel church, and fountain, which connected to the harbour - with our time up, we headed back to the bus to get to the train station, where we picked up the luggage and headed north to the closest stop to the ferry

The information all said the terminal was 800-1200 m to the ship. What they didn't say was that the ship was now leaving from the NEW port, wich was easily another 3 km past the old port. Ainsley was a trouper, dragging Andrea's bag (who was carting Mom's) along with her own. Elsa kept up, and made no complaints that her feet hurt. After making it 2 km, we got lucky, and a bus driver for the bus system waited for us at a stop, and allowed us to catch the bus- we got there shortly afterward, very glad we did not have to walk further!

Got on the boat with no problems, and found it easy to get to the rooms as they're 30feet from the door to the port! Headed upstairs where we had a quick bite, got oriented and Elsa and Lora Leigh checked out the pool while the other guests boogied on the deck. Mom and Ainsley took naps, then we headed to the Aqua resturant for dinner, before hitting the sack as I thought we had an early morning.

 

 

 

 

Day 2 - Copenhagen

 

Started the morning a bit later than planned, but mainly rested - some had slept, some had fallen out of bed - and headed out to see what to do for breakfast. Ended up at a little bakery just outside the trainstation, 3 min from the hotel, with a wonderfully nice man behind the counter - 7 coffees/hot chocolates and 8 pastries later, we were ready to start the day. Lora Leigh has shots of all the pastries tried - Ainsley was heard to say she liked dessert for breakfast.

Started the day walking down the main shopping drag/pedesterian walk next to the Rathaus - where we saw a bunch of 'dragon' statues, a bride headed to her wedding, and which is also the home of the H.C. Anderson statue, where we of course stopped in on, before heading down the street.

Several shopping stops ensued, to the souvioneer shop for the new sticker for Elsa's bag, to postcards for Uncle Harley, Seeing the fish peticure, we stopped for lunch at a trunk sale by a local theatre group - selling all the costumes from past performances, so made for a fun event to see what would walk by next.

 

Continued down the street, then headed through a Saturday morning market, and to the famous canal waterway and street - as you can see, it was a pretty day out! After that, headed up a street towards the main castle, reaching it by walking through the King's garden. At the castle, we toured up through the 3 stories of the history of the royal family (including bottles of wine from 1615 in the cellar, with apparently enough left at current consumption rate for 300 more years). After the climb up the spiral staircase, we went to the throne room which included the Rosenburg Tapestries).

We then headed to the treasury.

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed the throne room.

 

 

 

Then, after we walked to the current home of the queen- after seeing their guards, Elsa photobommed the shot (shortly after having her complain that her feet hurt) before we took the bus back to the hotel where we had dinner picked up at the supermarket earlier. And all heading to bed to get ready for ship tomorrow.

 

Copenhagen - Day 1

Mom and I arrived last night - after 4 messages that mom would be on the next flight, who walks up to me in baggage claim? After a brief visit with mbag services, we headed to hotel via metro. Dropped of my bag, and grabbed a quick meal back at the train station. By that time, it was 10:30ish, so headed back to hotel to try and sleep. Mom seems to have been able to

Headed to airport to pick up the remaining crew, and mom's bag as well. After a glimpse of them through the door, found out LL had left their documents on the plane- minor panic later they were located.

 

Then we headed to hotel, and after short break walked through Tivoli Gardens, and headed to boat cruise- enjoyed it, but then sleep got the better of LL and Elsa. Mom and I dropped the girls off, and took another walk around the shopping area, picking up dinner at the grocery store.

 

And we're off!

Checked in on-line, and with a little luck, have managed to obtain seats in the same row for the last flight Mom and I are on together. We'll see if someone joins us in the row!

 

 

 

T-minus one day...

Heading to the country with the above flag tomorrow!

 

Bag is packed, and things seem to all fit - meaning I must be forgetting something. Testing putting the image up as trying to post from the iPhone app this time, and it is a bit different.

 

Getting Ready for Europe

Testing out to make sure things are still working. Will post as we can during the trip!

Getting ready by packing, cleaning the house and fridge, and making sure things  in order for the garden to keep growing.