Read the second e-postcard:
Postcard#2

SUNDAY | July 30, 2006
Helsinki, Finland

Anna-Karin welcomes us      with champagne. Susan      Fisher looks on.

Hello:

During the next ten days or so, the 17 of us will travel from Stockholm through the Baltic Sea en route to Dover, England. Along the way we'll prepare three or four of these little notes to describe the sights we see and the fun we encounter.

Our congenial circle of travelers arrived in Stockholm last Thursday, under delightful blue skies that were unusually warm for this region (mid-eighties). Fortunately our hotel - the best in Sweden - offered air conditioning as well as magnificent views over Stockholm's old harbor and Sweden's Royal Palace. Though weary from our flights, it was fun to gather that evening for cocktails to inaugurate our journey. For dinner we tackled a classic Scandinavian smorgasbord, complete with several varieties of pickled herring, salmon fresh from the Baltic's icy waters, delicious Swedish meatballs and at least 30 or more additional selections.

On Friday morning we set off to see the sights of Stockholm, an extraordinarily beautiful city situated on a dozen or more islands separating a large fresh-water lake from the Baltic Sea. Mid-morning, as we walked through the narrow lanes of the medieval section of Stockholm, we came into a little square where a pretty Swedish lady surprised us with chilled champagne and tasty open-faced salmon sandwiches (just to tide us over until lunch). As other travelers walked by, they must have wondered why we had been selected for such special treatment.

More salmon, herring and acquavit

Later in the day we drove just outside the city to the Berglund residence located in the Royal Forest next to the home of the King's sister. There Peter and Maria Berglund welcomed us with big smiles and cold drinks at tables set across their sprawling lawn. Unfortunately, just as we were about to taste Sweden's favorite firewater, aquavit, thunder roared and big warm drops of rain began to fall. Would it last or would it continue? Finally it grew heavier so we rushed inside their home where a table had been set for twenty. After a brief break to bring all of our dishes inside, we continued tasting the acquavit and enjoyed a delicious Swedish luncheon.

Intrepid travelers in front of Villa Berglund along with family members and neighbors

Sauna and Sibelius

After a free morning Saturday for last minute shopping and exploring in Stockholm, we boarded our beautiful, all-suite ship, Regent Cruises' Seven Seas Navigator, to sail through the maze created by the thousands of islands that comprise Sweden's Archipelago. As we met for cocktails we could watch the course of our winding journey past tidy summer homes and marinas packed with pleasure boats. At one point, we sailed so close to a home we could see inside the kitchen - it's a magnificent three hours of cruising.

Sailing into Helsinki, Finland, early this morning, we encountered cloudy skies and a cool, stiff breeze. Would our day be dampened with rain?

During our drive through the center of Helsinki, we stopped by the harbor's open-air market for souvenirs and to taste the world's sweetest strawberries. Next we drove into Finland's pristine countryside to visit Ainola, the former home of Finland's most famous composer, Jean Sibelius. This visit to the quiet, forested surroundings impressed us with the Finns' love of nature and quiet surroundings. Our guide also took us into Sibelius' sauna to describe the process of a true Finnish sauna, where one sits and perspires on wooden benches in a hot steamy room (as much as 180 degrees or even more) followed by a plunge into a cold lake or pool. (The thought of this procedure did not appeal to everyone.)

After a superb buffet lunch of Finnish specialties in an old manor home nearby, we stopped at a little countryside concert hall where two exceptional young male artists from Finland's prestigious Sibelius Academy came to play 3 or 4 of Sibelius' powerful works at a private performance. It has been quite a day!

Tomorrow we'll sail into St. Petersburg, Russia, for a two-day visit. But we'll save that for another time. Meanwhile we're all well and having a great time. Wish you were here!

Best regards,

Paul and Christine Niskanen