After checking out the churches and Harbour Market, we saw a trolley pull up, and we dashed to catch it and take advantage of our free all-day pass.
In our rush, we failed to pick up a free guide map that would point out where we were.
Nonetheless, we rode along and looked out the windows at the city as the rattling old trolley made a figure 8 around town.
By the time we got off that ride, Jay had sat long enough, and he wanted to hang out in the city on his own, but we insisted he join us as we took a ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress, which was included with the same all-day bus pass.
Suomenlinna Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site called “the Gibraltar of the North.”
Built by Sweden in the mid-18th century, it's apparently a good example of a defensive fortress from the period.
It reminded me of Caribbean forts along the lines of Port Royal seen in “Pirates of the Caribbean.”Guide books recommend at least four hours, and many of the Finnish staycationers with their families probably did exactly that, but we spent about twenty minutes there, bookended by the pleasant twenty minute boat rides to and from the seven islands interconnected by bridges.
I can say that it definitely looked more impressive in the aerial photos I saw on Princess TV. Then again, we weren't there much longer than a restroom break, so I can't say we delved deeply into the secrets of the fortress.Back in Helsinki, we walked in the opposite direction from the churches along the Esplanadi, a beautiful wide walkway sort of reminiscent of Barcelona's La Rambla, though with fewer shops and more of a parklike feel. We then headed into the modern shopping district, with its upscale stores and welcoming sidewalk bistros.
This was the part of Helsinki that we saw on travel shows and made me think Helsinki might be a highlight of this trip.
As we sauntered through the streets, stopping into the occasional store for Amy to try on clothes, we passed excellent street musicians, including a string quartet playing chamber music and a soloist playing Spanish classical guitar.
It would have been nice to enjoy some coffee or a beer in one of those comfortable straw chairs next to a little round table, because for me it seemed like the idealized European city of fashionably dressed, attractive people enjoying the moment of a sunny day in what can be a harsh climate.
Instead, we boarded a public bus to head back to the cruise ship.
I'd love the opportunity to return to those Helsinki streets one day.
An objection to cruising some people raise is that one day in a port isn't enough.
And yet, as you've seen, in one day you can see quite a bit indeed.
Admittedly, sometimes we try to do a little too much and end up missing the full experience of something we reach at the end of our day.
Nonetheless, many of the same people who say one day isn't enough upon returning from a cruise will pooh pooh a cruise recommendation based on the fact that they have been to one of the ports previously.
The truth is that cruising lets you experience a wonderful panorama of locations with the understanding that you have a limited time to enjoy each one, so you better make the best of it while you have the chance.
It's very much the same as how God gives us the opportunity to enjoy our different stages of life, along with the people and experiences we choose to make part of our time on this garden planet.
If you're paying attention, you don't have time to be bored, and when you find something really special, you can plan to return again one day.Returning to a great port should never be a reason to count out a cruise.
As great as the ports are, it's always wonderful to return “home” to our beautiful cruise ship, where we can re-live our experiences in conversation over dinner.
For those who make fun of me for talking about what I eat in too much detail, I had delicious breaded salmon for dinner.
That morning I had a terrific Mexican omelet with hot jalapeños, but I digress.
The show that night promised “Magical Spectacular Illusionists Tony Laffan & Kasey Laura,” but Julie decided to turn in early. Jay, Amy, Gina and Laszlo wanted to play cards while listening to live music instead. I left a message for Darlene and Brooks recommending the magic show, but I went by myself.
A few minutes into the show, the magician walked deep into the audience, and I was happy to see Darlene and Brooks enjoying the show.
Afterwards, Brooks said he had watched part of the show through binoculars and couldn't see how they performed the illusions.
We all thought it was a great show and a great finish to a Finnish day.
