Silja Serenade

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I've just had a blissful couple of hours on the ferry. I was the 14th person to step on board at terminal Olympia. This ferry is very different to the Rostock one. Quite retro. The centre is a shopping mall, where I am now sitting post pasta & pesto.I found my cabin on level 9, marvelled at the fact that it is all mine and has it's own little hairdryer, then scooted up to the observation deck. There I sat, beer in hand uke by foot, sun on face and upper torso and smiles abounding with a fantastic view of Helsinki harbour. I can't tell you how super it was. There were some excellent clouds too, all whispy and untoward. Ferries are the way forward. Ferries in sunshine. Not stormy ferries. I'm about to head back out into the sunshine before it gets too cold.

Today's highlights:

Realising that Helsinki is nothing but a great big rocky outcrop. It's splitting at the seems with rocky protruberences. I had my moment today overlooking the lake töölönlahti.

Pissing in the Opera House. I always like to do my bit for the arts. When I saw the White tile-encrusted opera house it just cried out "toilet" to me so I gave it my best. I had to march through some kind of reception full of press and opera superstars no doubt. In my scruffy jeans, pink hoody and uke strung over my shoulder I attracted some desultory glances. Ha! I shall pee in your lavatory I thought. And did.

Finding the Moomin Shop.
This ferry.

And now I must return to my place in the sun. Oh bliss!

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Photos

Panoramic sweep of Helsinki Harbour from top deck of ferry
This was one of the loveliest beer drinking, sunshiney, happy moments of the trip so far.

Comments

[Clarification]

I'm here!
Don't panic - I was just offline in Stockholm... Too much excitement going on. But now I'm in peaceful Norway... Cxxx