This is the farthest North I have ever gone in this world, Helsinki, Finland. I arrived here by train from Saint Petersburg on what was a very nice train ride.
Helsinki Cathedral, 1852, exterior above and altar below.
I walked up all the steps only to discover that the side entrance had far fewer steps.
I walked up all the steps only to discover that the side entrance had far fewer steps.
Statue of Alexander II, 1894, in Senate Square - complete with pigeon
Facade of indoor Markethall
Uspenski Cathedral, 1868, exterior and altar
On the Esplanade Boulevard:
A side street:
The Three Smiths by Nylund
The harbor:
A view of Helsinki Cathedral from Uspenski Cathedral:
Tolkien Bonus: H is for Hobbits. They were closely related to Men and lived in the Shire and Bree. They were under the protection of Gandalf and the Rangers.
Finland is so beautiful and majestic. In fact, much of Europe has so much to offer by way of architecture
ReplyDeleteI still have India in my bucket list. I still remember my father's pictures of the Taj Mahal from WW II. Another bit of beautiful architecture.
DeleteBeautiful pictures. They really knew how to build cathedrals in the old days didn't they? I love the look of the market too. Glad I didn't have to climb those steps, would have killed me.
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely a trip for anyone who enjoys cathedrals.
DeleteI desperately want to go to Finland!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
Before I retred, my manager at work had a Finnish wife and the wall of his office was adorned with beautiful posters of Finland. You are lucky to be able to travel iike this in your retirement. Good luck with the A-Z
ReplyDeleteI've been very lucky to have been traveling yet I will never see everything I want to.
DeleteI wonder what Helsinki looks like in winter! Lovely cathedrals, very European looking city. I really enjoy your posting videos from the LOTR! Thank you! Gives me a little break while visiting blogs...Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteI am guessing it is cold and white in the winter. Glad you are enjoying the videos.
DeleteI love the difference in style from the 2 churches. The first one is so white! The other is definitely taking in the Russian style-to me at least. I watched minutes a few years back and they were looking into the huge obsession the Finns had with Tango!
ReplyDeleteNever realized this was part of the Russian Empire at one time until I got here.
DeleteLovely photos. I hope I can visit Helsinki again one day, but this time in the summer. It would be a totally different experience. One of my favourite memories was sitting in the hotel sauna which was on the top floor and had windows overlooking a park across the street. I could watch people walking in the snow while I was toasting warm inside.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a shopper but I enjoyed window shopping here. If I had room in my luggage I may have brought home a winter coat. Great styles.
DeleteLovely post. Yes I agree life does not end after retirement. You seem to be enjoying your travels!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am not bored. I knew I would enjoy not working and fortunately I saved enough to be able to enjoy myself.
DeleteI have a couple of friends who live in Helsinki... I really want to visit there some day! Your photos just made it that much more of a necessity. :)
ReplyDeleteAlex Hurst, A Fantasy Author in Kyoto
A-Z Blogging in April Participant
Helsinki is so close to other places too. Wish I had taken the boat to Stockholm, but never considered it in my planning stage.
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