Helsinki and Tallinn

December 12-15, 2009 Possibly the coldest four days of my life (although I still think Krakow, Poland was colder...) spent in Tallinn , Estonia and Helsinki, Finland. Finland reached a high of -7 degrees Celsius, and a low of -18. Tallinn's high was -12 degrees Celsius and low was -16 degrees Celsius! I bundled up as much as I could -- 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of pants (2 thermal pants then jeans), 2 long sleeve tops then a vest and coat, plus a scarf, gloves and hat at all times!! At one point when I was walking around Suomenlinna island in Helsinki, my scarf had ice crystals on it!!! It was cold! I kept warm by walking around as much as possible and taking frequent breaks in cafes for hot chocolate, gloggi and Christmas cakes and pies!! A few highlights on the trip included seeing The Nutcracker and The King Mouse at the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki, taking the ferry to Tallinn, seeing both Helsinki and Tallinn's Christmas Markets at night, sea smoke early my last morning in Helsinki, meeting some cool people at the hostels, and in general exploring two new cities! Enjoy the pictures below :)

Tallinn

Mini Snowman in Tallinn

Ice Skating in Tallinn

Tallinn's Christmas Market

Helsinki - check out the ice puzzle pieces! (the building on the water front is the Government Palace and the cupola you see behind it is the top of Lutheran Cathedral)

Sea Smoke on the Baltic Sea - the ferry ride to Suomenlinna was possibly one the best parts of the trips - the sun was rising and there was the most beautiful fog (sea smoke as the locals call it) resting on the sea

more sea smoke as the sun is rising

Walking around Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, an UNESCO World Heritage site

Another site on the island