Day 9

Today after Dan went to work, Tanja picked up Alan and I, and took us sightseeing. First we saw the "rock church" which is basically a church carved into the underground rock. Next we went to an island that contained an outdoor museum. There were many old buildings such as houses and churches. The buildings had been moved there from various places in Finland. We walked through a house that was 200 years old. It was interesting to imagine who might have lived there (the tour guide said probably a wealthy farmer and his family and servants) and what the house looked like when it was new.

Then we went to lunch at a small, old-fashioned cafe. We were the only ones there, so we could nurse and change our babies in the middle of the place!

Next, Tanja took us to the Orthodox Church. It was beautiful and ornate with an extremely high ceiling and paintings of the saints. Then we walked around both the indoor and outdoor markets by the sea. Tanja bought Alan a little stuffed moose wearing a Finland sweater. The outdoor market had booths selling souvenirs, handmade items, and fresh food.

Later that afternoon, the men of Sparklike and their wives/girlfriends took us on a sightseeing dinner cruise. We saw the coastline and islands, including Fort Suomenlinna which we had visited earlier in the week. The food was amazing, including reindeer, fresh fish, and cheese covered in cloudberry sauce. Cloudberries are only found in Finland. I bought some cloudberry jam at the indoor market, which sells high quality fresh foods. We also bought some sweet dessert wine there.