The Journey Home. Part 1 Helsinki

As you may recall our last journey had us adventuring in Sweden. It was interesting then to visit their next door neighbours in Finland for the beginning of the final leg of our trip home. The city seems like a blend of the nations that surround it, with Sweden to the left and Russia to the right, yet it definitely retains it's own personality. It's really green, has russian infused architecture and is home to the best pastries we came across in Europe. You heard me. I'm including Paris in that statement!
This is the inside of a church that is carved out of rock . You can climb over the top of the building. But inside it is a quiet peaceful place. And if, like us, you find the grandeur of other European churches a little over the top then this could be for you! It was everything those aren't. Even the cross is really small.
While walking around the shore line of the city we found an amazing cemetery nestled into a woodland that follows the shore. It would be a beautiful place to call your final resting place.

Real mink fur coats.
A Russian church that has become a major landmark of the city.

A bear that protects the steps of a museum.
A tea pot that marks a little tea house that sits above the city's major lake.