Helsinki is different from previous ports of call with fewer quaint buildings but it is a friendly and clean and easy - more English is spoken It is a relatively young city in that the old city burned down in the early 1800's and it was rebuilt from 1826 or so. Lovely Esplanade park, many buildings from mid to late 19th century in the centre.

We visited the "best" neoclassical square and a plain but beautiful neoclassic church. Bustling and swank shops, busy street life, classic cafes.

Interesting to see the exposed rock around the city and small rocky islands in the harbour  - looks like Shield country in Ontario. The trees look like cottage country in Canada too.

We had a leisurely day - a lunch of crepes at a market stall, some shopping at Marimekko for duvet covers for our grandkids, Moomin (Finn family moomintroll) and Angry Birds souvenirs.

We visited the Lutheran cathedral - very spare but very lovely overlooking Senate Square. We also took walked to the Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko) which is modern - designed in 1969. It is cut right into the rock face and we read that it has an air raid shelter underneath. Good acoustics too!

We visited the Eastern orthodox cathedral (not Russian orthodox) with wheat seeds near candles to signify a death (and rebirth) in the community. However I must say that the St Petersburg orthodox churches were more amazing.

Back on board, we went to Baristas for coffee - double shot of expresso cafe latte for me. Frozen coffee for Richard (Illy). And then tea time!