Jopo bikes are made in Helsinki and were all the rage back in the 1960's and are now making a comeback. We met our guide, Paul, and were pleased to see that we would be a small group of 6, with the Reflections Go-Pro gal, Danielle, accompanying us. Rich and Mike are already featured in the program, which is a DVD that can be purchased of our cruise. Since Pam and I are (or most likely will be) in it, we will most likely be buying it. :)) It's also a nice souvenir to have of the trip.

Anyway, Paul, got us all outfitted with helmets, brightly colored vests, and our bikes, of course. They are unisex with pedal brakes and no gears. And no electrical motors to assist going up the hills...of which there are many in Helsinki. Uh Oh...

I was surprised that we were leaving directly from the ship, but we did. After all the hassle of leaving the ship in Russia, this was nice! We took off and stopped every so often for a talk on what we were seeing, facts about Helsinki and/or Finland. We wound our way through the city, mostly on bike paths/trails, but occasionally on the city streets. I needed to use the bathroom and got the surprise of my life when I opened the door. From the exterior, it looked like a porta potty. Not so much from the inside! First off, I couldn't lock the door. Next problem was there was just this enormous stainless steel slanted bowl--no seat, no floor space--just this giant bowl. So I turned around so I was facing the door, bowl to my backside and lowered my pants. Did my business and then noticed that there wasn't any paper!!! Not that it was empty, there just wasn't any holder for paper. WTH?? I then noticed a button on the wall about waist high and pushed it. Out streams some icy cold water that I'm guessing is meant to clean yourself with! I've got on lots of clothing that I don't want to get wet, so I use my hand to splash myself. The water jet doesn't stay on for long, certainly not long enough to clean me, so I press the button again but this time a blow dryer comes on!! OMG!! I finally get myself clean enough and push another button that activates the flushing--water explodes from under the rim of the bowl and rinses it. By this time, I'm ready to exit the thing! I've never seen anything quite like it, and frankly hope I never do again!!

After my trauma in the toilet, we proceeded to tour just about the whole touristy section of the city. It was overcast and about 48-50 degrees, so very chilly for a bike ride. I was glad I remembered to throw in a couple pairs of gloves before leaving Houston! The city isn't as full of cyclists like Copenhagen is, but there were still a fair amount of them. We saw the Old Town and market and several of the Embassies, including the US.

My bottom was really aching at the end and I was thrilled to see the ship when we came around a corner. Pam said hers was hurting as well and we were both happy it wasn't a 15 mile ride (we did 10 miles).

Rich and I headed up to the Pizza place and Pam and Mike went for burgers and brauts. After lunch, Pam and I went to the Port terminal to shop but didn't really see anything we couldn't live without (other than a magnet for me :)) A long soak in the whirlpool made our aching backs feel much better.

It's lobster night as well as formal night, and we gain back an hour that we lost on the way to Tallinn. I can't believe that tomorrow is our last port!