Finland:

After a five hour train ride that was uneventful except for the Russian Customs (see Russia) we arrived in Helsinki.  We checked into our hotel only to find out that the city was pretty much closed the entire time we were there because it was the Summer Solstice and a national holiday.  The good news was that it stayed light almost 24 hours a day so we had plenty of time to sight see.  In addition to seeing the city we also visited the amusement park.  Andrew is an avid Roller Coaster fan, more like obsessed with them, in fact he has a website devoted to Roller Coasters. 

Unfortunately my photographs of Finland are limited.  I have lots of pictures at the amusement park but since they look like any other amusement park I have been to I didn't add them here.  Helsinki was beautiful and the weather was very nice.  I am quite happy that we were there during the Summer.  I heard about winters in Helsinki and I do not think we would have had as much fun.  We certainly would not have been spending much time outside.  One memorable thing about Helsinki was that England lost their soccer match the first night we were there and were out of the running for the Euro Cup.  This did not please the English that were watching the match.  Greece, a 100 to 1 underdog eventually won the cup to the amazement of everyone.  I think the Greeks are still celebrating.