Well, the day finally came! After feverishly working on the thesis for almost 6 months, it was presented and just like that, the degree came to an end. It is almost hard to believe... All in all, I am very happy with what I have been able to accomplish and knowing that everything I have done has been to the best of my abilities. I owe a great deal of thanks to all who have supported me through this journey - especially my family. I have the best wife and kids in the world! After taking a little break and spending time with them, it will be time to focus on the future, whatever that may hold... Here's to the rest of the year! Cheers.
Recently it was my wife's birthday and she decided she wanted to take a Baltic Sea Cruise to celebrate. As we are living in Sweden it only made sense to visit places close by that we otherwise would never think of visiting. So - Russia, Estonia, and Finland were on the list for this trip. For us, Estonia proved to be the hidden jewel - we loved old Tallinn with all its medieval charm. It was also fun to have our kids along during this trip, they thought being 'on a boat' was the coolest! Time for another mega-picture post - here we go!
Aiden getting his bed "comfy" - He loved the top bunk!
Kensie enjoying her upgrade from toddler to twin bed!
You would think that for a family of four eating twice a day, the cruise line would just supply one family dining card... Why would they do that when you can get 32 cards to keep track of instead? Now that's efficiency!
The look of eating fresh shrimp and caviar for the first time - not so sure I actually buy the 'thumbs up'!
Some of the old houses from the early 14th Century. Notice the wooden beams extruding at the top of the homes - they are pulley systems used for getting goods into the 2nd and 3rd floors of the homes.
I love the medieval architecture.
An old church in Tallinn - Check out the size of the window!
One of the old wall towers...
Aiden wanted a picture of this street because he noticed the first three letters of the street's name were the same as his - Aida Street. Always so observant!
Aiden saw this "train" and decided we needed our next car to be just like it!
More neat architecture.
Amber was convinced we needed a ride more like this - out-of-control!
Welcome to the beauty salon in the cellar... for some reason I kept thinking Sweeny Todd!
Another neat old house - love the extended, enclosed balcony.
Amber feeling right at home! :)
Ships made from Amber...
and an amazing Amber tree.
An old cathedral (Alexander Nevsky Cathedral) in Tallinn.
Another Amber shop - the city was full of them!
Here is a scorpion attacking a bug which got petrified in Amber.
Whilst beautiful, Tallinn was sooo cold - with the wind chill, it was 34 below freezing (F) to be exact!
Due to the weather drinks were limited to HOT options.
"Not a bad home!" says Amber...
After so much cold and walking, hunger was setting in. Welcome to Olde Hansa!
The dazed look on Aiden's face once getting out of the cold was priceless!
Kensie - returning from what she called the "spooky" bathroom...
Playing with the decor!
Aiden needed his turn too.
Medieval meal of fillet minion, beans, and I'm not sure what the rest is... but it was great!
Here we have bear, elk, and moose - All delicious!
Interior of Olde Hansa.
Tallinn main city square
Another exit on the old city wall.
I love when you find a little home smashed in between to large buildings!
I thought this particular gated home had some flair!
Aiden and Kensie give 3 thumbs up for cruising through a frozen sea!
A view of the sea - the ice was between 25-75 cm thick (12 and 30 inches) for most the cruise. Our ship was basically an ice-breaker!
At Russia the sea was too frozen for the ship to dock, so a another boat pushed from right outside our window. I became aware of this when Aiden said, "Why is the other boat crashing us Dad?"
Nothing like being greeted into Russia by a live band playing music in temperatures 20 degrees Fahrenheit BELOW freezing!
On the shuttle buss into the city with one of the craziest drivers ever! Me to Amber "Take a picture of us, it might be our last!"
St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia
More Russian architecture.
Irony - The 'slippery when wet' sign is in the middle of a frozen canal!
Kazan Cathedral
A store on the main street of St. Petersburg.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood - probably our favorite photo of the trip!
And this is the consequence of having others take your photo's...
Some serious iron fence outside the church.
No explanation. (Although, notice the speed at which they are approaching.)
The interior of the church was equally impressive! Everything was mosaic's done in tile!
The ceiling.
Everything was so ornate - shoes had to be covered upon entering the church.
Another picture showing the extensive mosaics.
The ceiling of one of the domes...
Classic! Enough said.
I was amazed by all the overhead lines!
A "hidden" church we spotted.
Only in Russia - a Russian car advertising some sort of a hostel named 'Friends Place' - I know if they have a car like that, I trust them!
I have never had such a difficult time ordering McDonald's, it came down to 'point the picture' and 'hold up the number of fingers' for quantity method.
The Russian dolls came in all sizes and price ranges... This doll was about as tall as Kensie!
This doll was one of our favorites - only $400!! Too bad I am on a student budget.
Then of course we have our own Russian doll!
Aiden had his own Russian flair he wanted to show!
An old Cathedral turned into a Russian navy training center.
By the time we got back to our ship, the water was already refrozen!
Kensie loving the Russian doll souvenir doll she received.
Welcome to Helsinki - the Helsinki Cathedral!
A view from the Cathedral looking over the main town square.
Looking back up at the cathedral...
For some reason, the wife and kids can never resist these! :)
The Bridge of Love filled with love locks!
Stairs? No way - Aiden & I saw opportunity for a slide!
Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki
Another view of the amazing exterior!
Interior was not quite as impressive... we were spoiled from our previous church in Russia.
Walking down the main stretch in Helsinki
Amber was thrilled with the vuoden uutuudet (new products).
Aiden in front of the public outdoor ice rink - the Finnish National Theater is in the background.
Helsinki train station.
It seriously looks like a building out of Gotham City.
A close up of the statues.
Speaking of statues... what about a gold George Bush? Fail.
Although nothing says fail like this sign - At least their probably honest I guess!
A panorama shot of old Tallinn, Estonia. Make sure to click the photo for a larger view.
The band is back! I leave you with the farewell we received when leaving Russia. Until the next post - Enjoy!