Helsinki

On to Helsinki! We did a walking tour and had a great guide. We first went to the Kamppi Chapel of Silence. It looks kind of like Noah's ark. And yes, you're supposed to be silent while inside...which is why our family didn't last long inside the chapel.

Honestly, we can't remember what the significance of this statue is- it's a man on a horse...he probably did some good, important things.

Helsinki Cathedral

View of Senate Square from the top of the steps leading to the cathedral...the Mina and Kaiya kept running back into the photo when Brian was taking a pano so there's 3 of them.

This statue is in front of the Bank of Finland. It was damaged during an aerial bombardment during WWII and was kept as a reminder of the bombings of Helsinki during the war.

We walked along the pier. During the winter months all of the boats are stored on land b/c all of the water along the pier freezes.

Another family pic along the pier with the Uspenski Cathedral in the background.

Uspenski Cathedral- the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe.

A couple of photos inside the cathedral.

Just a fun view of part of the city from Uspenski Cathedral.

Snack time- our guide took us to a food market that had reindeer hot dogs. Yep, we ate reindeer hot dogs. And actually, they tasted just like normal hot dogs!

Ok, if memory serves me right this is the mermaid statue where Finns gather when they want to celebrate as a city. Particularly May Day...and when Finland won the ice hockey world title. Apparently everyone gets drunk, strips naked, and goes for a swim in the fountain.

This is Temppeliaukio Church- or Rock Church. It's a church that was built inside a big huge piece of granite. It's not much to look at on the outside...

...but on the inside- wow!

Last photo- kids got a huge kick out of seeing this statue during our tram ride to/from the city. I googled it after we got back- the name of the statue is Bad Bad Boy. Lovely.