We successfully caught the train from our Amsterdam hotel and within 30 minutes we were in the middle of Amsterdam Airport... OMG> this place is huge. We took ages finding our checkin gate... it was a real maze. But we completed the challenge and were soon on the 2 hour flight to Helsinki.

I know that all these countries are in the EU, but it really surprised me that we did not need our passports at either end. It was just like a domestic flight. Arriving in Helsinki we were pleased that they had a wheelchair for David. I think we may have overdone it in Amsterdam,....... he was struggling with walking so he gratefully accepted the wheelchair ride. I think the last few days he has just been grimacing thru the pain to keep me happy but today it was no go. The wheelchair porter made the whole process super easy, and we were soon on the free bus to transfer to the train into the city. She had told us to take the lift at the train station as there were many stairs... she wasnt wrong.. i thought we may have been soon going to pop out in NZ as we kept going further and further into the earth. When we came out of the lift, the passageway, was paved but the walls were solid rock,,., as in a cave, with water seeping thru. Its only a new train station, in fact it is supposed to have been opened right to the airport on the 1st of July but the last walkway is not yet completed. It was pretty impressive.

The train was easy as the last stop is Helsinki town, we then caught a bus and ended 200 m from the hotel so we were impressed with our travel efforts. We went for a wander down to the port, which is literally adjacent to our hotel, the whole area was very quiet so we ended up walking back to the hotel and dining there. It was 10pm and the sun was only just setting.

Helsinki feels nice, the air is fresh and there seems to be lots of open spaces. Its nice and clean and is a welcomed relief after London and Amsterdam

This morning we woke,,, and hallelujah... sunshine again!!!!! Ironicaly this is the destination that we excepted would be cold and with the exception of Kuala Lumpur its the hottest.

While last night the port was quiet, today was a different story, 3 large cruise liners had come in and the place was pumping. Market square had a real market happening so it took a lot of focus to keep walking to the Wharf to catch our Harbour Cruise. This was real enjoyable, (sitting on the outside deck in the sun, with a wine helped) We cruised for 2.5 hours and learned a lot about the history of Helsinki, and seeing it from the ocean was impressive. There are so many islands and it reminded us a little of Canada, with those norfolk piney looking trees, and the houses sitting on the lake (well ocean in this case) edge. We crossed under bridges that we could honestly touch,... its interesting really, if this cruise was in NZ im sure they wouldnt have been able to travel under that bridge. David put his hand up and touched the bridge, without stretching,,, so too bad if you were standing up and facing the other way. We travelled between islands with only inches to spare on each side, and cruised back into the city. We then jumped on the hop on hop off bus and headed towards the main shopping area.

David is starting to get a cold (too much rain in Amsterdam) so we decided to go hunt down a pharmacy. Try doing that in a country that doesnt speak english. We went into a department store and tried to read the directoy.... strangely that didnt work either. We eventually found one but were surpised that you cant buy flu tablets without a prescription (assuming we were both understanding the other) we got some nasal spray, tissues and a hot drink. Then i stuck David in a bar to rest and i went shopping. Im so over the clothes in my suitcase..., which is a bit sad as we arent even 1/2 way thru the trip. I wasnt that successful as i only ended up with a denim skirt, but very practical.... but it did help with my shopping fix. Put it in perspective girls... i havent been SHOPPING since the 26th June.....OMG>>> and anytime i have been able to glance at a store, David was peering over my shoulder.. so it was a win/win to shake him off. :) hey, i brought him a back up beer to his table so he didnt dehydrate.

We then figured we would finish the hop on hop off but by the time we got to the pick up tour it was just after 4pm and they had finished,.. so we wandered towards our hotel and arrange the marina and had a beautiful afternoon. However, i just checked the app on my watch and we still walked 10.5 klms... which again was probably not good for David. He had both his knee straps on, but i can see we have pushed it a bit too much, I mentioned to him that i was worried that he might not be able to go to the rally, he said that NOTHING would stop him, so i guess we are all good.

We can take an easy day tommorrow as checkout is not til 12 and we are meeting the rally tour out at the airport at 3pm... so a nice lazy day to catch our breathe.