Please don’t get the idea I braved huge Baltic seas in a skiff. I went on an enormous ship that glides between Helsinki and Stockolm every day.
Viking Line leaves the harbour in Helsinki in the late afternoon and arrives the next morning in Stockholm…what a great way to travel.
I boarded the boat with hundreds of others and settled in on the back deck to watch the harbour recede.
From the high vantage point there is an excellent view of Suomenlinna, the fortress island in the harbour, and lots of other little islands.
Helsinki looks impressive from the ship.
The local ferry makes regular trips to Suomenlinna, along with other small boats.
The other ship, Silja Line, was first to leave.
Soon we were off and sailing.
…past Suomenlinna.
…through Kings Gate, the narrow pass between Suomenlinna and the neighbouring island.
Seagulls followed the boat for some time, but eventually realised no fish were going to appear overboard and they gave up.
Helsinki disappears in the distance.
Here is my cabin. That is not a porthole, it is a painting of a porthole.
The next morning I was up early to watch us sail into Stockholm. The sunrise was taken from behind glass, it was freezing outside.
I did eventually venture onto the deck. The Swedish coastline is similar to Finland. There are hundreds of tiny islands dotted along the coast.
Stockholm eventually appeared.
Gamla Stan, the historical centre waits to be explored.
More on sensational Stockholm soon.
Nice darling very nice.
i like your porthole was that the real view ??
Russ
By: russ magnus on October 5, 2015
at 6:32 am
No Russ, it was a painting.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 6:38 am
What a great thing to do. Have cruised the Baltic in the 90’s and did that crossing so know how you will have enjoyed it and now get us some amazing pictures of Stockholm, which is such a unique city.
By: Dianne CANT on October 5, 2015
at 6:47 am
We have done the trip before on the Silja Line. It is a fun thing to do. Stockholm is a lovely city…there will be photos.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 7:54 am
Hi Debra,
Those buildings with the spires are all so beautiful. That pink and white one reminds me of the old Broadway hotel in Brisbane, in its better days before the fire. It still hasn’t been repaired. Enjoyed your sea journey from Helsinki to Stockholm. It’s a great way to travel.
Cheers
Robyn (in Paris)
By: italia4ever on October 5, 2015
at 7:48 am
Have fun in Paris, while I enjoy Stockholm.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 7:54 am
Ahh memories of visiting Suomenlinna! I’ve never been to Sweden so I am really interested in seeing your post on it! 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on October 5, 2015
at 10:44 am
Suomenlinna is lovely, I have been several times.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 8:37 pm
A very interesting trip. Thanks for sharing!
By: Mulino Dominillo on October 5, 2015
at 12:12 pm
I get to do it in reverse tomorrow.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 8:37 pm
Wonderful photos, Debra. Thanks for sharing your trip. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on October 5, 2015
at 1:10 pm
It is a very interesting way to get to Stockholm and back.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 8:38 pm
What a shame it was overnight as I expect it is a beautiful coastline to see.
By: Kerry & Jim on October 5, 2015
at 8:22 pm
I think that it is open sea for the night bits.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 5, 2015
at 8:36 pm
Debra, how heart warming to see your ship enter Stockholm, I just got back from a trip to Germany. Before I flew into Munich, I spent a few days in Stockholm, staying on a ship as a youth hostel. Can’t wait to see your pics from Stockholm. My posting will take a while, since I have so much editing work to do before.
By: corneliaweberphotography on October 5, 2015
at 8:58 pm
Stockholm is a beautiful city. It is my second visit here and I have been lucky with the weather.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 6, 2015
at 5:12 am
Can’t wait to see more of your pictures, Debra.
By: corneliaweberphotography on October 7, 2015
at 4:36 am
Great pics Deb! Love the idea of an overnight crossing! We travelled from Naples to to Sicily on a similar vessel…. Great way to get from point to point!
By: Pauline on October 6, 2015
at 10:14 am
It is a great way to travel, much better than lining up at the airport, dragging your way to a hotel etc.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2015
at 5:51 am
Lovely photos! I hope you have an amazing time. Gamla Stan is beautiful and the Vasa museum is great if you’re heading that way
By: luccatimetraveller on October 6, 2015
at 11:15 pm
The Vasa museum is amazing, I was there for ages.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2015
at 5:52 am
My grandmother was a chef on one of the ships. Nice pictures!
By: Irma Saxell on October 7, 2015
at 1:00 pm
I think it would be an interesting place to work.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 12, 2015
at 4:10 am
looks like the Spirit of Tasmania, a little more grand though – is it a car ferry?The scenery is more interesting though, we only see the sea…on the Tasmanian equivalent.
By: Roz MacAllan on October 11, 2015
at 10:58 pm
The ships are enormous and quite grand in an old fashioned way. They do take cars.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 12, 2015
at 4:11 am
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at 1:20 pm
Yes! I read a comment ….another day in paradise…I agree! 🙂
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at 1:39 am