Tiddly Carvings?! - A Baltic Cruise: Day 9 - Helsinki, Finland

[wickesy]

Index

Today’s Navigator


Despite our late night last night we were still up at 7:45 and after a shower, s…, and a shave we went up for breakfast in Topsiders. We docked around 9:15 and once the ship was cleared we stood on our balcony for a while watching people getting off and going off on their excursions. There was time to switch the door magnets around as well because tonight was Pirates night.

We had an excursion booked for the afternoon so we didn’t have time to get off and get the shuttle into town but at 10:00 we decided to get off and have a look around the souvenir shop opposite the ship. We spent a long time wandering round the shop before making various purchases and re-boarding the ship where I typed up my trip report for yesterday and went up on deck to take some photos.

Continued in next post

 

[wickesy]

At 11:30 we stopped off at Pluto’s Dog House for lunch - cheeseburger and fries for me and chicken strips with fries for Dad - then at 12:20 we went down to get our tickets for our Port Adventure this afternoon.

The tour was meeting in Rockin’ Bar D so we went down there, got checked in and were escorted down to our coach. The excursion was Helsinki Highlights and Finnish Food Tasting so we started off with the short drive into the Town Centre where we stopped off in Senate Square for half an hour free time. Dad and I spent that wandering around the harbour and open air market before getting back to the coach for the 1:50 departure time.

We then had a drive around the town centre before stopping at the restaurant on Tar Island where our tasting was to take place. It started off with one of the waitresses explaining some of the history of Helsinki and the food culture of Finland, then the chef came out and explained how to prepare Gravallax (cured salmon) which involves taking a fillet of salmon, covering it with a combination of coarse sea salt, sugar and any other herbs you like, covering it with cling film and leaving it in the fridge for 20 hours. After that time you take it out of the fridge remove the excess salt and serve.

The first lot of food brought out was Gravallax, reindeer salami, pork, cheese and fish roe on bread and slices of rye bread. Next was a dessert selection of chocolate, cheese with berries, an apple dish and a type of liquorice.

After the tasting we had a bit of free time to wander around and take pictures of the ice breakers moored nearby.

Continued in next post

 

[wickesy]

At 3:45 we left the restaurant and made our way round to the rock church, so called because it is carved out of the rocks. The acoustics are said to be very good here and they regularly hold concerts there because of that fact.

From the church we made our way back to the ship arriving dead on the all aboard time of 5:00. We went out on to the verandah to watch the sail away and found ourselves escorted by a flock of seagulls.

Once we were underway we went down to Shutters and got a few more prints. I went upstairs to drop the prints off and then we went in to Preludes for a Zombie each before going into the theatre for the show, which tonight was the illusions of Jason Bishop who was OK but it was not one of the better shows we had seen on the cruise.

After the show went upstairs and relaxed for a while before going down for our Pirates dinner in Animators Palate. Dad and I had the same first three courses, which was pot stickers to start followed by conch chowder and chicken breast. Then for dessert I had sweet temptations while Dad had Rum Barbarosa and an ice cream sundae.

After dinner we went up for the Pirates In The Caribbean party.

Continued in next post

 

[wickesy]

And when it got too cold we went down to the Promenade Lounge for a Courvoisier each. The clocks went back again tonight so we were in bed by 12:05 (11:05) ready for an early start in Stockholm tomorrow.

As today was Father’s Day there was something special in our towel animal tonight.

Day 10

 

[Chilly]

The tours you arranged yourself seem better than the Disney one

 

[wickesy]

The tours you arranged yourself seem better than the Disney one

I think the problem with the DCL tours was that they were just herding bus loads of people from one place to another whereas we were able to decide how much time we spent where. The only reason I did this one was because I thought it would be a good opportunity to try out some Finnish food.

From what I've been reading it seems plenty of people were happy enough with the DCL tours though.

 

[suzycute]

Another great day! I love all the magnets on your door - did you get the Magic ones made especially?? !

 

[jjk]

Lovely day

 

[wickesy]

Another great day! I love all the magnets on your door - did you get the Magic ones made especially?? !

All of the magnets were designed by the talented people on the cruise board, then I printed them on to magnetic paper and cut them out.

 

[florida sun]

Another great day and lovely tour, the food at the Pirate night looks fab, great photos as well David

 

[CustardTart]

Lovely day. I'm sure I would have opted for the food tasting tour too. Love the photos of the seagulls escorting the Magic BTW...

 

[mishoe01]

Looks like you had a beautiful day for Helsinki. It was gray & rainy when I was there. Funny to see the Pirate party going on while it's still light out.

 

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

Since it is still light out for Pirate night, did they skip doing the fireworks or have them anyway? We're booked for the 7/18 cruise and our DDs will be disappointed if there aren't any fireworks.

Cheers!

 

[wickesy]

Since it is still light out for Pirate night, did they skip doing the fireworks or have them anyway? We're booked for the 7/18 cruise and our DDs will be disappointed if there aren't any fireworks.

Cheers!

Apparently due to shipping regulations in the Baltic they are not allowed to do the fireworks but I think they probably would have skipped them anyway. Sorry your DDs are going to be disappointed.

 

[Pegasus928]

I would definately opted for the food tasting tour as I love trying out new things (as long as it doesn't involve sea food )

And hats off to whoever did that melon carving on the table - very impressive.

 

[irongirlof12]

brilliant day. love the gulls so close to the boat

 

[PJB71]

Another great full day for you and your dad David

 

[mandymouse]

Another great day David, I like the sounds of the food tasting tour

 

[darthtatty]

fab day there, the tour sounded great