Helsinki, Finland Day 17

Day 17, September 17

We woke up to clear skies and cool weather. At breakfast I tried smoked herring which tasted pretty good, not good enough for a second helping, but not too bad. We loaded up on meat, bread, jam, eggs, tomato, yogurt, fruit, cereal, and orange juice. No later fish burps made me regret my herring helping. We hopped on the #3 tram and arrived 25 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure of the Sea Fort ferry as checked the day before. However, the board said 5 minutes to departure, pays to be early. Past a few islands, some with big expensive houses and some white washed by seabirds, we got to Suomenlinna Sveaborg. Everyone else headed one direction while we took the path less traveled over a bridge to the Naval Academy building being refurbished with a poor path up to the rampart. We walked between buildings and headed to a small island but got stopped by a strong sea breeze before crossing the bridge to a still smaller island. After taking a timer picture of ourselves next to the stone wall, we walked back to the main island and the tallest structure on the island, a Lutheran Church, with a sign indicating a noon opening. We figured to be long gone by then. At the visitor center, the restroom, besides being functional, had stainless steel fixtures that were actually clean. Five museums charged entrance fees, and lacking the expensive Helsinki card we entered none. We read the signs outside the old buildings to increase our knowledge and appreciation of the islands. As we walked farther we read a sign that said "King's Gate" 600 meters which Lee said was too far. Luckily, we entered fortifications next to the sea with terrific views and more and more bunkers, guns, fortifications, and mounds which were perfect for 10 year olds to play pirates. We took our time, walked through tunnels, over mounds, up on ramparts, into cannon enclosures, and arrived at "King's Gate with the Finnish Flag flying proudly. A tour boat cruised past, but no other tourists crossed our path, probably all waylaid by pirates or expensive museums. What a glorious day. The souvenir stand even had ice cream, 50% off which tasted great. At the church we waited until 12, but no one opened the door - not a German Lutheran Church. Back to the dock the ferry arrived after a short wait and we departed. We sat down on a bench in the enclosed area away from the school students. Through the door walked a woman with a big brown, crotch smelling, leg humping, shoe peeing dog and straight toward us. The two Japanese girls across from us oohed and aahed while I waited for Fido to do his "THING." He planned to but thought better of it when I mind melded and threatened a swift kick in his big, brown, baggy balls.
Back on dry land and at the market we tried to find the souvenir tent with the 6 language girl and the little Viking magnet from yesterday, but could not so went toward the hotel and stopped at Stockman's Department Store for toys Lee had looked at before. After propping up the Finnish economy for at least a year, we walked to the hotel and used the internet. I asked the front desk if any "low cost fixed price taxis" to the airport existed. She said, "Yes, but you have to book them in advance." I said, "How about 4 am tomorrow morning?" She called and got one for 3:50, perfect. Attractive, knowledgeable, smart, and next to McDonald's the tourists best friend she received the "Helping Hand Gold Medal" of the trip for helping two tight tourists. That night we packed, got a McBite, and at 8:30 pm jumped into bed and slept like babies, 2 hours sleep, woke up hungry, 1 hour doze, went to the bathroom, 30 minutes tossing and turning to the street noise, repeated the above until the TV came on with music as our wake up call at 3 am.

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