Silver Wind Live! Helsinki to Hamburg, June 4-16, 2023

[ging466]

Hope you all have a great expedition, looks like a fab itinerary. I'm looking forward to following along with JP & Rachel's commentary.

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[jpalbny]

Saturday June 3, Helsinki 

 

We got to the hotel just after 6PM and cleaned up for dinner. We were ready by 7 so went out for a wander. First the harbor area but no sign of Silver Wind. 

 

 

Near the harbor, we saw the SS transfer bus.

 

 

Just kidding! (I hope)

 

We went to dinner 15 minutes early and started right in. We had made a reservation at Kapelli, an elegant old building on the Esplanade. The menu was interesting. 

 

Prosecco for an aperitif, and wine to go with our mains. Starting to look like a SS cruise! 

 

 

We had a cold roast beef appetizer to start.

 

 

Chris had Arctic char and I had reindeer. Hopefully not one of Santa's. 

 

 

 

A circuitous stroll home in the twilight. So different from our last visit.

 

 

We were in bed asleep by 9:30.

[Hezu]

40 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Saturday June 3, Helsinki 

 

We got to the hotel just after 6PM and cleaned up for dinner. We were ready by 7 so went out for a wander. First the harbor area but no sign of Silver Wind.

After seeing this thread I got curious about this ship and more importantly how it is supposed to handle the stops at the smaller island, which do not have port facilities that could handle a large cruise ship and did some searching and found out for example that it will call at Hernesaari harbour early today. And that port facility is not visible in your picture, which shows Eteläsatama ("South Harbour") and more specifically the Katajanokka quay. That occasionally gets some cruise ships, but since the route there is thru narrow Kustaanmiekka strait between Vallisaari and Suomenlinna it is only suitable for smaller ships, bigger ones must head to Hernesaari, which has more space. And last, as seen on that picture the cruise berths on Katajanokka are currently occupied, USCGC Eagle is visiting Helsinki and it is accompanied by Finnish Border Guard's offshore patrol vessel Turva. Barque Eagle is expected to leave sometime today, so keep eyes open while in and near Helsinki.

[jpalbny]

12 minutes ago, Hezu said:

USCGC Eagle is visiting Helsinki

 

Yes! We saw it yesterday as well.

 

[jpalbny]

Sunday June 4th. Morning in Helsinki.

 

Slept well and awake by 7:30 for breakfast. Tasty buffet at the hotel, included with the SS package.

 

After breakfast, my tour guide had big plans for the morning. There were a few parks a bit out of town that we'd missed in November. And they would probably be better in the summer anyway.

 

So we walked to the train station and caught a bus to Strömberginkoski. Yes. Chris had found another waterfall to chase!

 

 

A few different permutations. 

 

 

 

You could climb to the top, so of course we did. Looks like the devil's bathtub? 

 

 

 

Upstream, another little falls.

 

 

 

 

Back to the bus stop for our next destination! 

 

The weather is mostly sunny and quite pleasant. Weather app says 56F but in the bright sun it feels warmer.

[jpalbny]

Silver Wind from Kaivopuisto Observatory!

 

[jpalbny]

We also visited the Haaga Rhododendron Park this morning. This is the time for it! 

 

 

So many beautiful blooms!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We wandered the boardwalks and enjoyed the flowers.

 

 

Nearby, a huge grove of azaleas. 

 

 

Loved how they grew under and among the trees.

 

 

After a few more pics we went back to the train station to get back to town. 

 

 

We wanted to try to find a "ravine" in Kaivopuisto Park, in the south of the city.

[WesW]

Terrrific snaps JP and Chris; flowers pop out of your photos and your two beaming smiles compliment the beauty in your posts--thanks 4 sharing.  Enjoy embarking the Cloud today.  When you have a chance please let us know who the Winds key leaders are, TIA.

[RachelG]

Statue in front of our hotel 

[jpalbny]

Helsinki. Boarding! 

 

We walked to the train station and just missed one train to Helsinki so we had to wait five minutes. Soon we were at Central Station and grabbed the 3 tram from there. We rode to the last stop and walked to Kaivopuisto Park.

 

We found the "ravine" which was just a set of stairs to climb up to the observatory. A tight squeeze. Good thing it was before the cruise. After 2 weeks of the SS diet, we might not have fit.

 

From the observatory we got a glimpse of Silver Wind (picture from a previous post). We then walked downhill to a glacial erratic.

 

 

And a random monument. 

 

 

That was all from Chris's list, so we set course back to the hotel. On the way we passed the observatory again.

 

 

A beautiful walk through Kaivopuisto Park. We could see Suomenlinna from here.

 

 

Lots of geese. My app said they were Barnacle Geese.

 

 

More cute statuary along the way.

 

 

 

We dallied too long on the way back to the tram so we missed it by less a minute. So we had to walk to the hotel. We needed the steps I guess! We arrived about 11:15 and packed up. 

 

Down to the lobby at noon to check out and catch the bus to the ship. A nice easy transfer, on a bus that was much better than the picture I posted earlier. When we arrived there was a short wait until we could alight, to avoid overcrowding. But we were on board shortly. 

 

Once on board we were directed to the bar and then the theater to complete the process. 

 

 

We met Rachel and George for a nice relaxed lunch in LT. It was great to catch up!

 

As we finished, the suites were ready just after 14:00. So we sat out on our veranda and enjoyed the scenery. With champagne. And chocolate. Life is good.

 

 

Watched the safety video and unpacked. So glad to be on board! Safety drill at 16:30 then a briefing at 18:15 before dinner.

[RachelG]

June 4, 2023–Helsinki, Finland

 

We had a really good sleep, interrupted by the light from outside peaking past the drapes pretty brightly at 4:16 am.  George was able to readjust them, and we slept until 8 am. 

 

Breakfast buffet was included, and was quite extensive.  You could order omelets made to order for no extra charge.  The fresh strawberries were the highlight for me, as any in the US taste like cardboard compared to these which were clearly allowed to ripen on the plant.

 

The plan for the morning was to take the ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress which is on an island in the harbor.  Our hotel was just a few blocks from the ferry dock, so we walked down.  I bought our tickets which took me a minute as the machine instructions were in Finnish, but I figured it out.  The ferry ride only takes about 10 minutes.

 

We walked around a bit, but didn’t get to see the entire island due to time constraints.  There were lots of ducks and geese with newly hatched babies.  George got chased by a goose dad who thought he got too close to the babies.  They are quite protective.

 

It was pretty cold over on the island, temps in the upper 40s to low 50s and windy.  George had forgotten and left his coat in the suitcase, so he was freezing.  Plus even though the information regarding embarkation we had been sent with our boarding passes said emphatically that we couldn’t board until 2 pm, we had been given a letter last night that said to meet in the hotel lobby at 11:45 for the bus to the ship.

 

So our tour was shorter than planned.  There is an interesting military museum there, but it didn’t open until 11, so we missed that.  We walked back from the ferry through the farmers market.  They had a lot of spectacular looking berries, lots of jams and jellies.  There was a guy selling reindeer hot dogs.  George said he wasn’t that hungry, but he did get a doughnut which was clearly homemade.  I had a bite, and it was delicious.

 

We were in the lobby at 11:45, boarded the bus Immediately and were checked in and on the ship eating lunch in La Terraza by 12:35.  We met with JP and Chris and had a nice time catching up.

 

They announced the suites were ready at a little after 2 pm.  No luggage though.  It arrived about 3.  Mandatory safety briefing at 4:30, in person.  Then mandatory zodiac briefing at 6:15.  For those who want to kayak, there is also a mandatory briefing for that.

 

The expedition leader is a British guy, very funny and entertaining, which is actually unusual for expedition leaders who tend to be quite serious.  

 

Dinner in the Main DiningRoom was excellent.  We ate with new friends from Wisconsin and Tennessee, and I think everyone was happy with the meal. George and I had the mushroom soup, which we love, then salads.  Then he had a steak which he said was very good (shocking) and I had a vegetarian polenta and asparagus dish which was very nice.  One of our table mates had lamb chops which looked great, so George asked for a couple of those too, and they were delicious.  We ended with a sugar free raspberry soufflé which was light but good.

 

We sailed just after finishing dinner.  It was still bright light outside.

 

[RachelG]

Geese pics from Suomenlinna Fortress

[RachelG]

And pretty tulips

[Hezu]

2 hours ago, RachelG said:

We sailed just after finishing dinner.  It was still bright light outside.

Be prepared for lot of daylight hours and short nights in these northern latitudes: For example, in Helsinki today sunrise was at 4:01 and sunset at 22:35 and further north you get (and closer to summer solstice) shorter the nights will be. And sure, once you head south the night time will again slightly increase, but not significantly.

[Hezu]

34 minutes ago, Hezu said:

Be prepared for lot of daylight hours and short nights in these northern latitudes: For example, in Helsinki today sunrise was at 4:01 and sunset at 22:35 and further north you get (and closer to summer solstice) shorter the nights will be. And sure, once you head south the night time will again slightly increase, but not significantly.

Oops, I meant to say the daylights hours decrease, not increase, as you get further in south...

[Stumblefoot]

On 5/31/2023 at 7:12 AM, jpalbny said:

Two more sleeps to go until we fly out to Helsinki! Then, 12 nights cruising to small ports and islands.

My God man, the UK Cancer Consultants must be losing their minds about now.

[jpalbny]

June 4th. Dinner.

 

At the safety drill, we met LAexNY. Then we had the briefing, where the EL introduced some crew. Daddyo recognized us and introduced himself. Slowly meeting the CC contingent on board.

 

After the briefing we got ready for dinner and went about 19:45. We had a table for two in the back of the MDR.

 

Menu looked good. The first and last pages will change every night. The 2nd and 3rd will change every few days. 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris had mushroom soup which was delicious. I had foie gras. Mercifully small portion.

 

 

 

Mains were Wiener Schnitzel and Lemongrass Beef. Both very flavorful. 

 

 

 

Chris had churros for dessert and I had the "around the world" cheeses. All very young.

 

 

 

Included wines were a Grüner Veltliner and a Douro red blend. Both tasty. I got some Port wine with my cheeses.

 

A G&T for a nightcap in the bar. Then, we tried to fall asleep before sunset. Sailaway at 21:30.

 

[jpalbny]

Monday, June 5th. "Ulko" island (Ulko-Tammio).

 

We slept soundly... Until 3:30! Then I was awake for a few hours. Napped again and woke up around 8:00.

 

A coffee and a pastry in Panorama. Looks cold and cloudy! Zodiacs have been going for a while for the guided hikes, but we're heading out later to just have a wander on our own 

 

We grabbed a zodiac around 9:00. Choppy ride over, directly into the wind. Cool, about 48 degrees F. Some spray. Brr! Welcome to summer in the Nordics. Glad for those SS parkas!

 

But the welcome on the island was warm. Someone playing accordion on the pier. Fresh blueberry juice with ginger. We wandered off to look at a big gun...

 

 

We saw a map with a 3km hiking trail. So, off we went. Rachel and George joined us. Beautiful coastline! 

 

 

 

Silver Wind made an occasional appearance. 

 

 

The bright orange lichens reminded me of the Bay of Fire.

 

 

 

From here you might be able to rock-hop to the offshore islet. George thought about it. We watched.

 

 

We bushwhacked from the coast back towards the trail. On the way we saw this circular bunker which had been blasted out of the bedrock. Now nature is reclaiming the space.

 

 

So many rocks. The "rapakivi" granite here crumbles easily. At least that's how Google tranlated the sign written in Finnish.

 

 

There is a birding tower that you can climb. Not this one...this is a military tower. Climb it and you won't leave the island any time soon. 

 

 

The weather had been improving all morning. Nice sunshine, and inland there was a bit of a wind break so it started to feel warm.

 

We followed signs to a tunnel and walked through. One of the tour guides was walking through in the other direction. He growled at us like a bear. Chris wasn't fooled!

 

 

Fairly large. And a railing to guide you, if your flashlight goes out.

 

 

Back to the dock where they had some snacks waiting for us. Grilled Finnish sausage, and salmon cooked on a plank. Delicious! 

 

 

The zodiac ride back was beautiful. Riding with the wind was much smoother. The sun, Wind, and clouds made a nice picture. 

 

 

Lunch in LT then a rest before our informal CC M&G at 16:00.

[highplanesdrifters]

Off to a stellar start! Those menus look enticing along with the waiting BBQ.

[Mr Luxury]

On 6/4/2023 at 6:57 AM, jpalbny said:

Saturday June 3, Helsinki 

 

We got to the hotel just after 6PM and cleaned up for dinner. We were ready by 7 so went out for a wander. First the harbor area but no sign of Silver Wind. 

 

 

Near the harbor, we saw the SS transfer bus.

 

 

Just kidding! (I hope)

 

We went to dinner 15 minutes early and started right in. We had made a reservation at Kapelli, an elegant old building on the Esplanade. The menu was interesting. 

 

Prosecco for an aperitif, and wine to go with our mains. Starting to look like a SS cruise! 

 

 

We had a cold roast beef appetizer to start.

 

 

Chris had Arctic char and I had reindeer. Hopefully not one of Santa's. 

 

 

 

A circuitous stroll home in the twilight. So different from our last visit.

 

 

We were in bed asleep by 9:30.

Rudolf looks lovely JP

I bet the red nose was tasty.

[Mr Luxury]

13 hours ago, jpalbny said:

June 4th. Dinner.

 

At the safety drill, we met LAexNY. Then we had the briefing, where the EL introduced some crew. Daddyo recognized us and introduced himself. Slowly meeting the CC contingent on board.

 

After the briefing we got ready for dinner and went about 19:45. We had a table for two in the back of the MDR.

 

Menu looked good. The first and last pages will change every night. The 2nd and 3rd will change every few days. 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris had mushroom soup which was delicious. I had foie gras. Mercifully small portion.

 

 

 

Mains were Wiener Schnitzel and Lemongrass Beef. Both very flavorful. 

 

 

 

Chris had churros for dessert and I had the "around the world" cheeses. All very young.

 

 

 

Included wines were a Grüner Veltliner and a Douro red blend. Both tasty. I got some Port wine with my cheeses.

 

A G&T for a nightcap in the bar. Then, we tried to fall asleep before sunset. Sailaway at 21:30.

 

Fois gras and cheese.

How's the cholesterol.

I prescribe.

Atorvastatin 40mg once a day

Should get you home OK.😁

Edited June 5, 2023 by Mr Luxury

[RachelG]

13 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Fois gras and cheese.

How's the cholesterol.

I prescribe.

Atorvastatin 40mg once a day

Should get you home OK.😁

I didn’t have the fois gras and cheese, but the mushroom soup was also pretty cholesterol laden I think.  George actually took one of my rosuvastatin tablets by mistake—probably beneficial.  He swallowed it then realized it wasn’t a pill he had ever taken before.  LOL.

[Mr Luxury]

5 minutes ago, RachelG said:

I didn’t have the fois gras and cheese, but the mushroom soup was also pretty cholesterol laden I think.  George actually took one of my rosuvastatin tablets by mistake—probably beneficial.  He swallowed it then realized it wasn’t a pill he had ever taken before.  LOL.

Get him on  the treadmill and monitor his performance.

He might benefit from a statin

He might even help with the housework when you get home😁

Edited June 5, 2023 by Mr Luxury

[RachelG]

5 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Get him on  the treadmill and monitor his performance.

He might benefit from a statin 😁 

George has genetically abnormally low cholesterol.  It is really annoying, since I eat far healthier than he.

[Mr Luxury]

5 minutes ago, RachelG said:

George has genetically abnormally low cholesterol.  It is really annoying, since I eat far healthier than he.

Yes,it is annoying.

Have you thought of changing his diet.

KFC or Dominos should help.