A Snorkeling “Adventure” After our visit to North Seymour Island we returned to the ship for the mandatory safety drill where we got to assemble with our life jackets and then move in groups to debarkation stations. Not exciting which is good. This was followed by fitting of equipment (wet suits, fins, masks and snorkels) […]
Galapagos Day 3 – Part 2 Read More »
North Seymour Island Just after breakfast on our first full day took us back a little bit North from the previous stop to North Seymour Island. This is a mere fly-speck on the map (its actually under the 2a on the map photo). This was a dry landing, so we did not have to juggle
Galapagos Day 3- Part 1 Read More »
Day 1 Mostly a travel day, we drove from Ft Pierce to the airport, avoiding any Bonfire of the Vanities moments and also toll roads. It is kind of pick one though. Miami is not a user-friendly airport in any way, with long walks from rental car return. Flight left at 5:30pm and arrived in
Galapagos. Days 1 and 2 Read More »
The twelfth day of the trip we met up with a cousin on the Hupila side, Henne Niemenmaa and her daughters Reeta and Meeri. Here are some family pics. We started our day by taking a ferry to the Sea Fort, Suomenlinna. We walked through the fort, and bought snacks. Reeta, does love licorice. And
Finland – Day 12 Meeting Cousins/Suomenlinna Read More »
On arrival in Helsinki, we were collected from the ferry by a private van tour which took us to our hotel to drop off luggage. We stayed at Hotel Haven which was a good choice. Nice bed, good breakfasts, and right next to the harbor for walking around opportunities. The van tour drove us around
Finland – Day 11 continued Read More »
The morning of day 10 found us just hanging at the hotel feeling pretty blah. No sightseeing, until it was time to leave for the Viking Lines Ferry. The Ferry leaves at around 4 from Stockholm and arrives the next morning in Helsinki. The route travels through the Swedish Archipelago through some pretty narrow spaces.
Sweden Day 10 – Finland day 11 On the Ferry Read More »
For Day 9, Torsten drove us out of Stockholm to Stavsnäs where there is a fast ferry to Sandham Island, a summer vacation spot. In the map, you can see Stockholm on the left. The blue flags show locations where pictures were taken from Stavsnäs harbor to Sandham Island and during our walk there. Yellow
Sweden – Day 9 Sandham Island Read More »
Another drippy day. We started at the Royal Palace. They have guards outside in rather Prussian-looking helmets and small scale relief ceremonies throughout the day. Around noon they had a larger ceremony with a marching band and of guards, although it was the Queen’s birthday so I don’t know if this happens everyday. Our next
Sweden – Day 8 Royal Palace and Storkyrkan Read More »
Days 7 and 8 were spent in Stockholm. We didn’t get to some of the places we wanted to see, so maybe next time. We visited the City Hall (rebuilt fairly recently after a fire, but with an older feel). Didn’t go inside because everything need a tour and tickets were sold out for several
Sweden – Day 7 in Stockholm Read More »
Day 6 and we are heading back towards Stockholm. Not many pictures today, since it was raining a lot. We drove through Västerås, a town that looks a lot like it might have inspired a Game of Thrones name. The cathedral here is quite impressive, and Torsten says that an early bishop was related to