Stockholm, Sweden

After that we walk back to "Gamla Stan" in the old town and stop off for lunch at "Ruby Bistro" for a vegetarian burger and fries. Our table is on the edge of the sidewalk on a narrow little street. Most places prefer credit cards but I also bring some Swedih Krones for souvenirs and such. So once we are done we go shopping and pick up some bath fizzies and soap for my daughter, coffee mug for my son, a Christmas ornament and magnet of a funny viking to commerorate our Vasa museum visit.

There are 2 streets full of souveinir shops, coffee shops, waffle shops, ice creams shops and jewelry stores. The waffle cones smell so good and if I hadn't eaten lunch I might of ordered one. I have 60 krones left so we stop off for a beer for my husband, free wi-fi and a restroom. If you need to use a restroom I saw one that uses coins. Other than that you should try to use the one wherever you stop to eat at. After walking past the Nobel Museum and taking photos we head back to where we 

were dropped off and look for our bus. Back to the ship for sail away from the aft which has the best view. I can't believe tomorrow is our last day which is a sea day and time to pack.

#Stockholm #Sweden #Gamla Stan

Stockholm, Sweden

Today we berth in Nynashamn which is 45 minutes away from Stockholm. If you berth in Stockholm you have to leave by 2:00 p.m. If you berth in Nynashamn you can stay late. We decide to take the Princess excursion " On Your Own" to Stockholm which is around 59 or 69 dollars. This will give us about 5 1/2 hrs. in town. We are given a walking map on the bus and want to go to the Vasa Museum and find out it's about a 20 minute walk. It you are a brisk walker than you can do this easily. If not than you can take a train/tram over. There is also a HOHO boat that will take you around but I didn't want to go all the way to the pier and back so decided to walk along the pitcturesque cobblestone sidewalk along the harbor to the museum. The Vasa Musuem is $16.00 and when you go in, there will be 2 lines. One to the left to buy tickets at the window or the the one on the right that has 3 kiosk machines and will go a lot faster. Guess which one I took? This museum has reconstructed the viking ship that has sunk in 1628 but recovered it in 1970. The museum has 5 floors and I think my favorite part was the display of putting together their bones trying to figure out who they were and what they did. It's amazing what they can decipher from their teeth, bones and shreds of clothing. 

Helsinki Finland

Great weather again today and we are taking the Winterland Ice Bar and Helsinki Highlights excursion.

When you arrive, there are HOHO buses right there that you can take and a souvenir/gift shop terminal  with duty free tax free souvies. 

But I decided to try the ice bar and vodka shots for something different. I know there is one in Sweden and that is more of a bar setting which I know I would of enjoyed but this was touted and the "worlds largest ice bar". It wasn't as big as I thought it might be and I think it's more of a place to bring your kids. It's in a warehouse setting and I would of designed it a little bit different. Because it's dark maybe a dark sky with twinkling lights like you were outside instead of open beamed warehouse. Also I would of liked piped in music because it was a little quiet. 

 When you walk in you suit up in their heavy duty overalls, boots and slim gloves before you go in the ice bar for your shot of vodka in a crystal clear ice shot glass. They have a tobogganing   area and you can take a kick sled for a spin which I did for a short couple minutes. There are various ice sculptures and igloos. They also had a husky dog sled ride that would do 2 laps for 20 euros each. The ride was only a few minutes so we passed. If you have kids this is a place for them and they will offer (I think it was Cranberry) juice instead of vodka. We were there for maybe 45 minutes and if you want more of a bar setting this is not for you.

 One more stop at the Temppeliauko Rock church becuase it is literraly built from solid rock. We got let off for  about a 5 minute walk from the bus. There isn't much walking around the church and it won't take you long to view the church. When we were there someone was playing the piano and it has great acoustics. When you leave there is a cute souvenir shop right across the street to the right. A big selection of very unique gifts. I found  these little music boxes that you wind and play everything from "Imagine" to " let it be" . We had the option of staying in town and taking a shuttle back but that would of only given us 2 hours. So we went back to the ship and went through the cruise terminal gift shops.

Suited Up

Our shot of Vodka

The Rock Church

If I were to do it again I would take the HOHO bus since it is right outside the pier and the town is right there. 

Back to the ship for formal night and lobster.

#Helsinki #Finland #Icewinterland #RockChurch 

Helsinki Finland

Helsinki Cathedral

Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the centre of Helsinki, Finland. The church was originally built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. It is a major landmark of the city. 

Clouds make great photosl 

Photos taken with my big camera. 

and my phone.