Leaving Sankt Peterburg for Helsinki by train (first class no less). Arrived at the Finlandski Station about 9.45 then sat in foyer for a couple of hours with every upset child they could find anywhere in the surrounding neighbourhood, their complaining only interrupted by mindless repetitive announcements (this bit not so first class). Some times deafness has advantages.

 

Sitting at railway station

We are hafink tickhet for our destination

Each message from speaker is soundink same to me

Because each message is in Russian you see

 

Ho boy I am wishing new friend Boris was here, he could understand messages, trouble would be he is not speaking English.

 

Helsinki is Finland’s southern capital on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland.  Mannerheimintie, its main avenue and the location of the National Museum tracing Finnish history from the Stone Age right up to the day before yesterday. We may even go there.

Prices in Helsinki are horrendous compared to Russia especially alcohol, which is 4 times the price. No wonder the Finns all go to Estonia on the ferry for their alcohol purchases.