Naantali

We had another splendid breakfast at the Centro Hotel and then drove to the conference center. The keynote speaker, Elisabeth Rehn, former Minister of Defense for Finland, gave an extraordinary presentation on “Women as Peace Builders.” She has visited many of the war torn countries of the world and presented different insights into the plight of women. This stimulated some interesting comments and suggestions from the delegates.

After lunch, we played hooky again. We went back into Turku and shopped in a Salvation Army Thrift Shop down the street from our hotel. Then we went on an excursion out to Naantali and Rymattyla. Naantali is a summer resort town with an amusement park for the children. Since it is still early in the season, it was not too crowded. Margaret and I walked around the harbor area and up to the church, which was once a convent. Part of the church was roped off because there were six musicians practicing for a concert - sounded wonderful. At the point of the penisula was a viewing tower that gives a wonderful view of the harbor.

We drove on down to Rymattyla. Our first stop was in a café - which was really a bakery. We had something to drink and delicious pastries. Then we went to the church which is supposed to have some colorful frescoes. The problem was that the church was locked. The cemetery looked like they had just had decoration day. At home, the graves are decorated with silk flowers. Here, they were all planted with annuals or miniature roses - very bright and beautiful.

We returned to Naantali for dinner at a restaurant right on the harbor. We had a tasty meal, sitting outside under an umbrella. Afterwards, we returned to Turku for the rest of the evening.

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