2012, SEPTEMBER 15: FINLAND, HELSINKI - CITY TOUR

It was a nice morning in Tallinn, with only a few clouds in the sky, and no rain. Soon after breakfast we departed for the ferry terminal to board our ship, Tallinn Star, for the 9:15 a.m. departure to Helsinki, Finland.

We reached the terminal about 20 minutes early. Soon many other people joined us. At the appointed time, doors to the long, covered gangway opened to start boarding passengers for the two-hour trip across the Baltic Sea.

 

Ferry Terminal, Tallinn

Tallinn Star Ferry

Tallinn Star Ferry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Baltic Sea is rather large, shallow, inland water body. Salinity is much lower than that of the ocean water. Starting in November parts of it start freezing.

Upon our arrival at Helsinki Harbor, a local guide joined us, and we started the city tour.

We started at the Sibelius Park to see the Sibelius Monument, an unusual memorial to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

 

Sibelius Monument

 

Then we drove by the Olympic Stadium. In front of the Stadium is statue of Paavo Nurmi, who is nicknamed the "Flying Finn" for his dominance in the field of distance running, in the early 20th century. He set 22 official world records and won a total of nine gold and three silver medals in the twelve events he had participated during the various Olympic Games.

 

 

Flying Finn Paavo Nurmi

 

Proceeding further on the North Esplanade Street, we passed by the equestrian statue of the Finnish military hero, and former President, Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim. His birthday, 4 June, is celebrated as the Flag Day of the Finnish Defense Forces.

 

 

Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

 

Going further, we drove by the Stockman Department Store, and the Saturday Market in the Market Square, by the Harbor.

Also in the Market Square stands the Keisarinnankivi, an 1835 monument to Alexandra Feodorovna, the Empress consort of Russia. The monument consists of an obelisk, with a globe and a double-headed eagle (a symbol of Russian Federation) on its top.

 

 

Stockmann Department Store, Helsinki

 

Saturday Market, Market Square, Helsinki

 

 

                        Keisarinnankivi Monument, Helsinki

 

 

Our next destination of the day was the Senate Square. On the way there, we drove by the Presidential Palace, one of the official residences of the President of the Republic of Finland, and Uspenski Cathedral, a 19^th century Eastern Orthodox Church.

 

 

President's Palace, Helsinki

Today, the Square was the site of a large public gathering. Musicians were performing on a big stage. Besides a large tent housed were booths of the various NGO’s, with material publicizing their offerings and concerns.

 

Concert at Senate Square, Helsinki

People at Senate Square, Helsinki

 

                                                                                                                   Booths at Senate Square, Helsinki

 

 

Then we headed to our hotel to get ready for the Farewell Dinner of our tour group.

This was the end of our organized group travels. After the dinner, we bade good bye to other fellow travelers. Next morning Kundan and I were to depart for Ukraine, the last leg of our travels.