Our Day in Helsinki

The first part of our time in Helsinki was on a tour bus driving through the city.  I so wish that there was a way to capture all that's unique through a bus window.  I really wish I could remember all the interesting stories and history shared with us by the tour guide.  If I'm ever able to do something like this again, I think I'm taking notes (but then I wouldn't see as much)---maybe I'll bring a recording device!  So...this is a building of some importance (I think), but alas I'm not sure what it was---maybe I'll have to consult with Stina Van Cott!

This one I know!  This is the Lutheran Cathedral.  Rick Steve's says, " With its prominent green dome and the 12 apostles overlooking the city and the harbor, this church is Carl Ludvig Engel's masterpiece."  I don't know anything about CLE, but this church on the outside is probably my FAVORITE (I know, I know, I haven't seen very many, but it is totally classy and gorgeous).   I love the way it is elevated, and I love all the stairs that lead up to it.  I love the big open plaza (Senate Square) down below.  I love the white---so simple, so pure.  I love the symmetry.  I love the columns.  I love the statuary (I've included some close-ups below).  It's simply beautiful; it's beautifully simple.

Down below is this really neat statue of  Alexander II, known as the "good Czar"  because of his earlier efforts to help Finland increase her autonomy from Russia.  During the reign of his grandson, Nicholas II, and the Russification of Finland (1899 until independence), the monument became a symbol of quiet resistance as people would lay flowers at the base of the statue.  The figures below represent the law, culture, and the peasants.

On either side of Senate Square are two very similar buildings.  One building originally housed the Senate of Finland but now is home to the Prime Minister of Finland and his cabinet.  The main University building sits opposite.  I'm not sure which is which at this point!!

I snapped a few pictures of this interesting building (probably at a red light).  I loved how the windows at each level were different and loved the variation of the red brick and lighter stone in several combinations.  Have I told you how much I love old architecture (I know, about a thousand times, right?).

Here's a couple more from some different buildings (through the bus window, of course---at least they weren't covered with bugs):

Then we were off to the country and a little town called Porvoo.  I was a little disappointed in the "town" itself, but if I had lots of money to blow, I could have done some serious shopping!  Hiding behind those little old building facades were some pretty awesome shops.  Note:  The cobblerock, stone, and brick roads and walks look so cool, but make sure you wear thick-soled shoes if you're planning on walking very much.  Here are a few pictures from that stop:

Loved the shots down by the river the most.  That part was really quaint.

And here's the cutest tour partner ever:

We were allowed to just stroll through the village---NOT!  The tour guide gave us like half an hour tops.  But for the most part it was okay (unless you really did want to do some serious shopping).  We were back on our trusty yellow bus and on our way to a local farm for lunch before we knew it.

Not too far away was this wonderfully picturesque, totally idlyllic farm where we ate a nice lunch in the upstairs of this building---not sure if it was a barn or what, but it's a charming eatery now.

Loved this oak tree and the acorns.

This building is now a gift shop.  Second shot shows the sunlight coming through those circular openings.

Then it was back on the bus for our two final stops in Helskini:

I snapped a few shots from the bus window.  There were always wonderful things to take pictures of, but having the camera ready and having an unobstructed view didn't always come together. Many desired and hoped for pictures just didn't happen or happened unsatisfactorily.

More to come on our next blogpost---Helsinki Continued...