I've been wanting to revisit Scandinavia as I made the mistake of travelling Norway during the brutally cold winter month of February 2 years back, hence I promised myself I would go back to Scandinavia but only when it is warmer. Norway is a special place for us because we met for the first time in Oslo, and the irony was that it was through my ex-boyf that we'd gotten to know each other. You may call it tough fate, but I call it ... destiny? This time round, we'd visited Sweden and cruised our way to Finland as well. And somehow, I feel so much safer being a tourist in Scandinavia than any other parts of the world, I think it is because the living cost there is so ridiculously high (if you think London is expensive, think again) that scam and rip-off artists would be better off targeting the locals than mere tourists like us? In great cities like Brussels, Amsterdam or even Paris, there are areas so dodgy that you instantly want to hang on to your valuables tightly, but in Scandinavia, I have yet to come across places that make me feel somewhat uneasy. I don't know, perhaps I am prejudiced  . So anyway, back to the trip, I 'll take you to Finland with me today, and save Sweden for later! Let's hop onboard! 
Journey from Stockholm to Helsinki took approx 15 hours and there is no way anyone could feel bored because the cruise itself is like a city break! There is an onboard cinema showcasing some of the latest movies, a casino for the gamblers (not me!), a trendy bar with live band, a karaeok lounge for the talented, a sauna/jacuzzi oasis to unwind, a game arcade for the kids and an excellent variety of cafes/restaurants to choose from. Oh and wait, that's not all, at the very heart of the cruise is a shopping promenade, with a dazzling array of tax free designer goodies, so shopperholics can go ahead and tax-SPREE! rofl. The cabins overlooking the shopping promenade.. 
Us checking out the deck..  
Some brazillian acrobat perfomance at night.. 
Tipsy after a few drinks, I have to say I'm not one to hold my alcohol well *blush*  
Early the next morning, we woke up to see we've arrived at the Olympia Terminal, the boyfriend was all groggy-eyed lol. G'morning Helsinki, G'morning Finland! 
The famous Uspensky Cathedral, largest orthodox cathedral in Western Europe apparently. And that's really not my best angle, my face looked awfully rounded but oh well... 
The buzzling Helsinki Market Square selling fresh Finnish food and souvenirs. No kidding, Helsinki is definitely the city for fresh seafood. We had salmon for almost every meal. 
Upon reaching the Senate Square overlooking yet nother famous landmark in Helsinki, the Helsinki Cathedral.  
We knew the Helsinki Cathedral is one of the major tourist draw in Helsinki, but were rather amazed to see thousands of people crowding at the square, as if in anticipation of some festivities. After some asking around, we realised we were in luck to witness one of the top European festivals, the 17th Samba Carnival, right there in Helsinki! 1000 dancers from 6 Finnish schools will parade, and 5 of which will compete in the Samba Competition. And for that day, the rhythms and colours of samba took over Helsinki... 
The boyfriend took one with the fancifully dressed dancers in front of the Helsinki Cathedral. 
Helsinki Quay in the evening, but the sun wasn't about to set anytime soon... You get around 19 hours of day light during the midsummer in Finland. How cool is that! 
And with this, I bring you back to ... (wherever you are teehee). I hope you'd enjoyed the pictures, and promise I'll take you to Sweden real soon! (Oppsies, this post is taking longer than I'd thought, better get back to work now!) 
Good day! | 
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. Maybe the rest of guys would now take their girlfriends to the basketball court too and next time I would have some good company hmm...
