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Helsinki 2017
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I did a day trip by ferry to Helsinki from Tallinn in Estonia. It was a two hour trip each way, and I left at 7:00 AM to have enough time to explore Finland's Capital city before heading back to Tallinn.

The Baltic Sea was calm that day, but a mist hung over the many islands as we approached Helsinki.

Helsinki iis surrounded by water on each side, and there are boats everywhere.
The Market Square in the South Harbour is a favourite for visitors and locals alike. There are stalls selling street food while others sell fur coats and handicrafts.
This is the Uspenski Cathedral. It is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in 1862 - 1868 when the Russian Tsar, Alexander II, was the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Finland.

When I was inside the Cathedral, I asked an official there if this was a Russian Orthodox church. NOPE! This was now a FINNISH Orthodox church, and it had nothing to do with those pesky Muscovites!

The Finns value their hard-fought independence.

The magnificent interior of the Uspenski Cathedral.
Helsinki Cathedral is a Lutheran church. It was originally built in 1830 - 1852 as a tribute to Tsar Nicnolas I of Russia, who was also the Grand Duke of Finland.
Helsinki Cathedral was designed in the austere Classical style of its time.
The Cathedral's organ.
As far as I could tell, Helsinki does not have an "Old Town", like Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn, But I enjoyed walking around its various districts, often coming across little architectural gems from various epochs.
Staunch, no nonsense, Finnish Character, caught in stone!
This golden street performer was doing a roaring trade. He had an excellent gimmick. Whenever someone deposited a coin in his golden bucket, he would honk his horn a couple of times. Instant gratification for the young donors!
Never let it be said that the Finns do not have a sense of humour.

This statue is in the docks area and I am not sure if it is meant as a welcome sign to incoming visitors, or a Finnish way of saying "Piss Off" to those who are departing.

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