Helsinki, Finland

Here comes the Pilot boat

We know we were close when this turned up

The pilot moves toward the boat

These are highly competent people

Island in The Gulf of Finland leading to Helsinki

LIke Oslo the seaway, the Gulf of Finland , into Helsinki has Islands and Signs of associated towns around the coast

Lots of Islands near Helsinki

The Gulf of Finland leads from the Baltic Sea and is the main waterway to Helsinki. Other major cities around the gulf include Tallinn and St Petersburg. The eastern parts of the Gulf of Finland belong to Russia, and some of Russia's most important oil harbours are located farthest in, near Saint Petersburg (including Primorsk). As the seaway to Saint Petersburg, the Gulf of Finland has been and continues to be of considerable strategic importance to Russia. Some of the environmental problems affecting the Baltic Sea are at their most pronounced in the shallow gulf.

Helsinki , Finland

This is a view of Helsinki from our ship

Sailing craft close to Helsinki

Like most of these areas sailing craft abound

On the Left the Tallinn Ferry and the Right a Cruise Ship

These Ferry's in the baltic were large and carried Trucks , cars buses and people. This on took them to Tallinn in Estonia

Suna Anyone?

We could not believe when this chugged past our tied up Cruise Ship

Central basin and Market Helsinki

The lower part of this city has a very active Markey and also numerous water rides being offered to a variety of places and excursions

Time to eat

The market and food hall was in a marvelous old building

Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, and main cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Finland, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos. Its name comes from the Old Church Slavonic word uspenie, which denotes the Dormition. Designed by the Russian architect Aleksey Gornostayev.

Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki

Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, and main cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Finland, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos. Its name comes from the Old Church Slavonic word uspenie, which denotes the Dormition. Designed by the Russian architect Aleksey Gornostayev. 1868

Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki

This is an landmark building which sits up on a hill overlooking down town Helsinki

The interior of Upenski Cathedral

There was work being undertaken but the interior was quite stunning

Mosaic and painted Ceilings of Uspenski Cathedral

The ceiling were stunning examples of 18th century Art

Crypt Chapel

The crypt chapel of the cathedral is named after the holy Alexander Hotovitzky, who served as vicar of the Orthodox parish of Helsinki 1914–1917.

Centre Dome of Uspenski Cathedral

The Cathedral is set upon a hillside on the Katajanokka peninsula overlooking the city. On the back of the cathedral, there is a plaque commemorating Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Finland during the cathedral's construction. Main cathedral of the Finnish Orthodox Church in the diocese of Helsinki, Uspenski Cathedral is claimed to be the largest orthodox church in Western Europe

Elaborate internal Finishing of Uspenski Cathedral

Mosaic , marble and art everywhere we looked

OUr First siting of the Lutheran Cathedral

From the high vantage point the Uspenski Cathedral provided us we noted this large structure

The Market and a Military band

The President of Hungary was visiting at the time e ere in Helsinki

Street View of buildings across from the main Marina

The style of many of Helsinki buildings are displayed here

Varied Collection of sea craft

Fun for the Photographer

The marina held a huge variety of interesting boats

Boats , Boats and still more boats

Interesting place the Helsinki Marina

There was a windjammer tied up to an outer dock but it was not accessible

The marina held boats of various types and form

An Old Motor Sailer

We walked on and we found this charmer and noted more tallamsts outside the water break

Off to find the Large White domed church we saw

Beautiful streets of Helsinki, everything is so clean

A Glimpse of the Lutheran Cathedral

We saw this a long way off and walked until we found it

The close we get the More Church we see

Attractive Green Domes uptop a White church