Russian influence

We spent the day wandering around the city and the waterfront, taking in two cathedrals and two markets, inside and outside. The Finnish orthodox cathedral is very impressive. When we went in there was a baptism taking place. When I got back to the flat, I checked the map. I did not realise we are less than a five hour drive from St. Petersburg. The 19th century indoor market rivals the Halles in Narbonne to which we have been several times. We stopped for a coffee in the afternoon. We have been impressed with just how clean, modern and open Helsinki is.