Helsinki & St Petersburg - Aug 24&25&26

We discovered Helsinki on a walking tour.  Helsinki is mix of old and some new buildings. Probably the most interesting stop on our walk was the Rock Church whose base and lower walls are solid rock.
There was much evidence in Helsinki of its control firstly by Sweden, then Russia and finally its independence in 1917. Most streets signs are in Finish, Swedish and Russian.  Surprisingly,Finland found rule under Russia much easier than under Sweden as they were allowed to use their own language and currency. Interesting facts, there are more saunas than cars in Finland, education & health care is free.Taxes are extremely high, the value added tax is 25% as it is in Norway and Sweden. And we complain about 5% GST.

I don't think there are words to describe St Petersburg, the city is a work of art. There is block after block of beauty. The first day we visited Peter and Paul Fortress, the Yuspov Palace, the Nation Museum and St Isaac's Cathederal. Each one more impressive than the last. St Isaac's Cathederal will accommodate 14,000 people and there are no pews (in any church in Russia).  The doors on the church weigh 20 tons and are 20 feet tall. The Cathederal is one of the most magnificent we have ever seen.
The second day we drove out of the city to Catherine's palace and park and then St peter and Paul's Church,the gardens and fountains (150 fountains).  They just keep getting more impressive.  We had a beautiful day for walking in the gardens and among the fountains. Today we had crowds of people and it took us a while to tour Catherine the Greats Palace.  There are eight of us touring the tour and guide and driver are excellent. 
St Petersburg has 62 days of Sun and so far we have had 2 of the 62.  From Oct to March the Neva River is frozen.   It was the first planned city in Russia.  The city was built on rivers and canals. There are a total of 68 river channels and canals in the city. The main river channel is 22 meters deep while the Gulf of Finland is only 5 meters deep and special channels have been dredged in the Gulf for larger ships.  Pilots are engaged to bring in larger ships. Peter the Great was the first Ruler to visit other European countries and wanted the new city to have a European flavor. As a result many architechts, skilled trades and artists were brought in from Europe to help design and build the city.
We have seen so many weddings at the various sites we visited, we have stopped counting.  After the wedding,family and friends go to the many parks and historical sites for pictures.