Northern Europe (16)

(Sibeliuksen Puisto シベリウス公園—ヘルシンキ)
(Temppeliaukionkirkkoテンペリアウキオ教会)

This park has a pipe organ monument and Sibelius Monument.
It is a very unique park and many people were visiting it.







This is Sibelius Monument.
The young ladies were from China.



I wished I could have more time to spend in the park.

Then we went to Temppeliaukionkirkko.

This is called “Rock church,” because it is built
inside a huge rock.

Yes, it is the Church in the Rock.
Its roof is made of glass.

Northern Europe (15)

(sightseeing in the city of Helsinki)
ヘルシンキ市内観光

We did some sightseeing in Helsinki.
I took pictures out of my bus window.







(ヘルシンキ大聖堂--we were given some time to take pictures here.）




(from my bus window)

Northern Europe (14)

(Kauppatori, Market Square and Market Hall in Helsinki)
港の近くのマーケット広場--ヘルシンキ

Here we are in Helsinki, Finland!

The local guide, a Japanese lady living in Helsinki, said to us,

“You know Finland is famous for its The Moomin family.
Many Japanese think they are hippopotamuses（カバ）.
No. They are trolls.

Most couples both work and pay their high taxes.
The divorce rate is very high. There are many who get divorced
after 4 years’ marriage life.”

(port we arrived)


(Market Square and Market Hall)

Northern Europe (13)

(sea travel from Stockholm to Helsinki, Finland)
ストックホルムからヘルシンキへ
タリンクシリヤラインでの一泊の船旅

We moved from Bergen, Norway to Stockholm, Sweden
by airplane.

After visiting Vasa Museum, we enjoyed sea voyage.

We moved from Stockholm, Sweden to Helsinki, Finland,
by ship---on a luxury liner SILIA SERENADE.





We boarded the ship at 17:00 and arrived at Helsinki at 10:00
the next morning.

Yes, we enjoyed the Baltic Cruising.

The ship was full of people from various countries.

On the sundeck I enjoyed talking with a couple from Helsinki.

They enjoyed their summer holidays in Stockholm by themselves.
It was their first time to travel without their children.
“All children have grown up,” they said.

I was surprised to know there are two official languages in Finland
--Finnish and Swedish.
They write down both languages on official signs.

I should have studied world history much harder.



As for meals on the ship, we enjoyed sumptuous buffet meals.
I enjoyed talking a lot with other members of the group.



(from my cabin)


(sunset--at 22:30)




(at 8:30 in the morning)

Northern Europe (12)

(Vasamuseet, Vasa Museum in Stockholm)
ヴァーサ号博物館

After having a meatball lunch at a restaurant,
we headed for Vasa Museum.

Have you heard of Vasa?
I’ve heard of Titanic but not of Vasa.

Vasa is a Swedish war ship. It was built in 1628.
On 10 August 1628, Vasa set sail on her maiden
voyage and sank in Stockholm harbor after sailing
only 2 kilometers.

The wreck was salvaged in 1961 after 333 years
under the sea!

I saw the reconstructed ship, 95% original, adorned
with hundreds of carved sculptures.