THE trip

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THE trip skip's retirement travel
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Day 40
Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 2:52 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Estonia Toompea 59.43529, 24.7381359°26’7” N 24°44’17” E
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
July 30, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Main Russian Orthdox cathedral on Tallinn. I got one pic of the iconostasis before I found out their no picture rule. I did get to see part of an Orthodox baptism.
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Day 41
Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11:13 AM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 52 m
Estonia Palmse 59.51263, 25.9563659°30’45” N 25°57’23” E
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Palmse manor
July 31, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
A country manor. I arrived at the front door in a carriage drawn by Shetland ponies. Entered to the main hall. Many impressive rooms. Visited the Orangerie and took a forest walk to the gazebo over a small lakeRead more
Arija Restbergs Wow that would be an awesome view of the backyard
7/31/17Reply
Arija Restbergs A little to big - to many rooms to clean
7/31/17Reply
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Day 41
Monday, July 31, 2017 at 1:42 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Estonia Jõelähtme Jõgi 59.44993, 25.1780159°26’60” N 25°10’41” E
Jagula Juga
July 31, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
OK, it ain't Iceland, but it is the highest natural waterfall in the Baltics at about 25 meters. Gives you a sense of how much topography there is around here. I do suspect that at high water, it would be a more impressive horseshoe falls.Read more
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Day 42
Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 10:04 AM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Estonia Narva 59.37603, 28.2005859°22’34” N 28°12’2” E
Narva
August 1, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Sad to say, my least favorite stop so far. Narva sits at the border with Russia. The castle on the foreground is in Estonia while the one in the background, across the river, is in Russia. This place is very Russian. This is the first town I've been to thast still has a statue of Lenin.Read more
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Day 42
Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 7:10 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 49 m
Estonia Raekoja plats 58.38032, 26.7229958°22’49” N 26°43’23” E
Tartu
August 1, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Nice university town. The first pic is of the town hall square. The second is the hotel where I'm staying. The building is one of the oldest wooden structures in Tartu, dating from the early 18th century. Enjoyed a guitar concert in the tower of St John's Church. Two fine local guitarists.Read more
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Day 44
Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 12:55 PM
🌬 20 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Gulf of Finland 59.76884, 24.7963559°46’8” N 24°47’47” E
At sea aboard the ferry Finlandia
August 3, 2017, Gulf of Finland ⋅ 🌬 20 °C
Traveling from Tallinn to Helsinki by ocean going ferry. A bit over 2 hours. Pics are leaving Tallinn, about half way across, another ferry going the other way, and approaching Helsinki.
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Day 45
Friday, August 4, 2017 at 9:50 AM
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Finland Havis Amanda 60.17036, 24.9522960°10’13” N 24°57’8” E
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White cathedral
August 4, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
The Lutheran cathedral in Helsinki. I had to be sure to include pics of the pulpit and the organ
Arija Restbergs Thanks Skip
8/4/17Reply
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Day 45
Friday, August 4, 2017 at 1:23 PM
🌧 16 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Finland Tullisaarenselkä 60.18383, 25.0644960°11’2” N 25°3’52” E
Helsinki harbor tour
August 4, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
I started on the rain. Then it cleared up. No way I can do this justice in 6 pictures, but here they are. Mostly taken in the eastern part of the archipelago.
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Day 45
Friday, August 4, 2017 at 2:26 PM
🌧 17 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Finland Havis Amanda 60.16608, 24.9523660°9’58” N 24°57’8” E
Helsinki Central Market
August 4, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
I really enjoy these central markets. It seems most places have them. The largest I've seen was in Riga. This one in Helsinki is right at the harbor. The pics are outside and inside the market, and the last is my bowl of smoked reindeer soup that I had for lunch at the "Soup Kitchen." And that really is the name of the stall in the market.Read more
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Day 46
Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 1:29 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Finland Susisaari 60.14418, 24.9850460°8’39” N 24°59’6” E
Suomenlinna
August 5, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Old sea fortress in Helsinki harbor started by Sweden in the 18th century, taken over by Russia in the 19th century and finally became Finnish in the 20th century at independence with the fall of the Czar. Pictures are approaching the island fortress, the king's gate from inside and out, inside a bastion and the garrison chapel.Read more
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Day 47
Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 1:45 PM
🌧 17 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Finland Prästgårdsbacken 60.39667, 25.6580460°23’48” N 25°39’29” E
Porvoo
August 6, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Second oldest city in Finland. Old town is small and a nice visit for a rainy day. Pictures are all of the old town: waterfront houses, a longer look to town, street scenes and the cathedral both outside and in.Read more
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Day 47
Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 6:04 PM
🌧 15 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Finland Musborstan 60.18929, 25.29660°11’21” N 25°17’46” E
Aboard the J L Runeburg
August 6, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Took the Runeberg from Porvoo back to Helsinki. First is the vessel itself. Then leaving Porvoo, among the islands of the archipelago, looking through the islands to the open ocean, and a drawbridge opening for us. The 3 1/2 hour ride would have been better if the weather had been better, but the seas weren't all that rough.Read more
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Day 50
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 12:45 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Sweden Björkö 59.32995, 17.5430359°19’48” N 17°32’35” E
Birka
August 9, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Important trading center in viking era. Original town is under the Meadows. Many burial mounds exist, probably in the thousands. The Celtic cross seems out of place, but was erected as a monument for 1,000 years. A view from near the Celtic cross and a carving of a giant relaxingRead more
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Day 50
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 12:47 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Sweden Björkö 59.32988, 17.542759°19’48” N 17°32’34” E
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Birka Village
August 9, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Reconstructed Viking era village with small dock. Only one house was open
Arija Restbergs Can't imagine someone wearing that helmet. But I know they did. Wonder if they got head aches?
8/10/17Reply
Arija RestbergsI'm so happy you are having a good time on this great adventure. Also glad that you able to share it with every one🙂
8/10/17Reply
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Day 51
Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 10:45 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Sweden Vasa Museum 59.32791, 18.0913159°19’40” N 18°5’29” E
Vasa
August 10, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Museum dedicated to the Vasa, a 17th century ship that sunk still in Stockholm harbor. Keeled over in a squall--too little ballast. Found intact, recovered and now exhibited. Pics are of the ship, a model of the ship, a view above deck, a recreation of a gun deck, and some of the extensive decoation.Read more
Arija RestbergsWow the craftsman ship is unbelievable. What a gorgeous ship she was
8/10/17Reply
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Day 51
Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 3:31 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Sweden ABBA The Museum 59.32511, 18.0969459°19’30” N 18°5’49” E
ABBA Museum
August 10, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Yeah. Really. And it's exactly what you would expect. Costumes, gold records, karaoke and all the rest
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Day 52
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 10:33 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 29 m
Sweden Uppsala Domkyrka 59.85817, 17.633559°51’29” N 17°38’1” E
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Uppsala Cathedral
August 11, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Seat of the Lutheran church in Sweden. The building is pretty spectacular, even to thge point of 3 organs. I only show the one th at was being played while I was there. The chancel cross with all the glass is unusual.Read more
Arija Restbergs Now that is what I was talking about -- the stain glass windows
8/11/17Reply
Arija Restbergs Just beautiful
8/11/17Reply
Arija Restbergs That organ must have sounded awesome. I love to hear the pipe organs play, especially the long low notes
8/11/17Reply
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Day 52
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 11:36 AM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Sweden Linnaeus Garden 59.86237, 17.6347759°51’45” N 17°38’5” E
Carl Linnaeus
August 11, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
For all you biologists, here is his home, study, a look over his garden from upstairs in the house and some closer pics of parts of the garden. The elevated boxes in the last picture are "monkey houses." In the 18th century, formal gardens had animals, usually tropical, who were kept outside while the weather allowed. For all you biologically challenged types, Carl Linneaus is the scientist who created the system of nomenclature science uses even now--ie, genus, species, etc. In Latin.Read more
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Day 52
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 2:55 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 47 m
Sweden Uppsala Konstmuseum 59.85299, 17.6349359°51’11” N 17°38’6” E
Uppsala
August 11, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
University town since the 15th century and former capital. Pics are of the castle, castle garden, cannons aimed at the cathedal since this was built just after the reformation, and a view over Uppsala from the castle groundsRead more
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Day 53
Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 12:31 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Sweden Klara Sjö 59.32784, 18.0553859°19’40” N 18°3’19” E
Stockholm city hall
August 12, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Site of the Nobel banquet every year. Yes, the gold room is all 24 karat gold. The dinner is served in the other large room. The gold room is for the dance.
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Day 53
Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 2:27 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Sweden Riddarholm Church 59.3246, 18.064159°19’29” N 18°3’51” E
Riddarholm church
August 12, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Royal church now used primarily for royal funeral and burials. I am most taken with the open work steeple. I've not seen anything like it. That chandelier is solid silver
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Day 53
Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 10:27 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Sweden German Church 59.32409, 18.0718359°19’27” N 18°4’19” E
Storkyrkan
August 12, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Stockholm cathedral, officially St. Nicholas Church from the 13th century. The altar piece is silver and ebony and even more striking than the pictures. The spherical candle holder represents the world and really caught my attention as excellent design and symbolism. If you can't tell, the organ extends beyond the pillars into the space over the side aisles.Read more
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Day 55
Monday, August 14, 2017 at 1:47 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 46 m
Sweden Skansen 59.32701, 18.1037559°19’37” N 18°6’14” E
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Skansen
August 14, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Open air, living history in Stockholm. Pics are some farmsteads, interiors. Including painted fabric (look closely--its all biblical scenes) and an 18th century windmill
Arija Restbergs It's a shame that the 4th arm is not up
8/14/17Reply
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Day 55
Monday, August 14, 2017 at 1:59 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 45 m
Sweden Skansen 59.32721, 18.1038659°19’38” N 18°6’14” E
Seglora kyrka, Skansen
August 14, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Built in the 1730s and moved to Skansen in 1906. The cieling is paonted. What you see is original from the 1700s. The circular communion rail is something I hadn't seen before. The organ (barely visible in the last picture) is from 1770.Read more
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Day 56
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 4:44 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 454 m
Sweden Malmberget 67.18833, 20.6936167°11’18” N 20°41’37” E
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Deep mine
August 15, 2017 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
1,250 meters under ground, about half that below sea level. Deep iron ore mine about 150 km above the arctic circle. I'm sitting in a loader, all geared up to be that deep.
Arija Restbergs Starting a New Career?
8/15/17Reply
skip's retirement travel Going in the wrong direction for a minister
8/16/17Reply
Arija Restbergs Lol oh so true. Didn't think of that until you mentioned it lol
8/16/17Reply
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