Experience: No(r)way!? Part 3 - Stena Saga and other fun places

 This is the 3rd part of a trip report. Part 1  Part 2

Following the amazing experience, it was right to take a few days off and chill and enjoy life in Fredrikstad (as well as grow a new jawbone to replace the one I lost in Flåm), though those few days did include a quick trip to nearby Sarpsborg with a visit to Inspiria Science Center and Badeland waterpark.

In my spare time I like to hang out in space

 As we sailed towards Oslo on the Color Magic a few days earlier, I told Sverre that of the ferries sailing from Oslo, Stena Saga is definitely next on my list. And once again, I had no idea that we were already booked for the sailing on the 29th of April.

Experience: Amorella + Stockholm

This is the 4th part of a trip report; The whole story can be found under the tag I Must Travel Otherwise I'll Die 2014; First part can be read here.

Missing dearly my poor imprisoned suitcase and cursing the cold rainy weather I returned to my hostel. This time I was staying on board a small ship named Gustaf af Klint. The location of the ship is perfect and the stay was quite cheap, but so was the quality, not to mention having to pay additional fees for things that are elementary elsewhere. Unlike on the Bore in Turku it wasn't easy to forget being on board a ship here because she was swaying remarkably. It was never a problem, though. I was in a very tiny cabin with three other people. Although I hardly spent any time at the hostel during the Stockholm days, having no space whatsoever bothered me. Joining Hosteling International earlier in Turku didn't benefit me either because Gustaf af Klint is simply not a member. I'd suggest the place if you only wish for a bed.

Gustaf af Klint as seen on shipspotting.com; I didn't take any photos of her.

I had arranged to meet a friend at 9 the next morning and needed a couple of hours to prepare. The terminal opened at 6:15 in the morning. I was wide awake about an hour before, after only four hours of bad sleep made much worse by concerns about the safety of the suitcase and even a related nightmare. I was the first person to rush into the terminal once it was opened; the relief when the locker opened revealing my untouched suitcase was undescribable. Happy, I returned to the hostel and started getting ready.

After collecting my suitcase I witnessed the arrival of the gorgeous Viking Grace

... exactly 24 hours after arriving with her.

I met my friend Steven at 9 in the morning, just as planned. We spent the morning walking around the city until Gröna Lund was opened at 3 in the afternoon. I found Gröna Lund surprisingly small, in fact, even Linnanmäki seems to be on a larger area.

Jetline and Vilda Musen

Insane really was insane

It's the same type of rollercoaster as Kirnu in Linnanmäki, just about twice as big and three times as intense.

World's tallest chain carousel, apparently. Amazing view up there.

Lustiga Huset, or funhouse. I think there's one of these in some form in every amusement park, with mirrors, crooked stairs, illusions, spinning rooms, angled rooms, bridges etc. 

Vilda Muset, or Wild Mouse. In the background the tall drop of Jetline.

"This. Ride. Sucks."
Well, not really. 

A nice fountain and Kvasten on the background

Gröna Lund in one photo

After Gröna Lund we went to a cinema. Since I'm not exactly a movie person, the pick was almost random. I went there hoping for a laugh and I got more than plenty of that, so I'm satisfied.

The next morning I had a plan of going to Vaxholm, taking a Waxholmsbolaget boat my friend Nelly was working on. The departure was at 8:15 in the morning; I returned to my hostel at about 2 o'clock at night. Before getting on the boat I would've had to get ready, check out from the hostel, find a shelter for my suitcase and get to the ship. Considering the fact I was already severely sleep deprived it didn't seem wise, so instead I slept as long as I could and chilled with Steven for the rest of the day. 

Europa was anchored there all day, transporting passengers ashore with tenders.

Birka Stockholm coming

Birka Stockholm moored...

... and maintained

Birka Stockholm going

Viking Cinderella going

Amorella coming to pick me up

In the evening I boarded the Amorella to return to Turku. I had quite the average B2 cabin in a remote location on deck 6, aft. The walk to civilization from there was long, but I enjoyed being able to go to the ship's spa in a robe and flip flops without the fear of being seen too much, because the spa is located at the forward part of the same deck. Alas, it wasn't even close to what I experienced on the Grace. It wasn't bad; a couple of nice jacuzzis and saunas made it a nice relaxing treat, but I really missed having big windows or, in fact, any windows at all.

My little cabin

There was no TV in my cabin, but this was just as nice

Bye bye, Sweden.

Stairway to heaven

Wonderful sunset as we sailed from Stockholm

Mandatory funnel picture

met Teaterskeppet on our way out

Halfway from my cabin to the spa - or was it vice versa?

The general plan of the ship. There are C class cabins under the car decks that I might even try out one day when I feel crazy enough.

Restaurant deck. The ship was quite empty and there wasn't much to do on board...

except for watching the show...

... which was a really well done tribute to Madonna.

Silja Galaxy in Turku as we approached the next morning

Quite a lovely name, huh?

Sea Wind coming in after us

In the morning I woke up early again as it was necessary, this time without any mishaps. I had plenty of time to get ready and pick up my takeaway breakfast, which proved to be useful. After disembarking in Turku I only had a couple of hours as I was just passing through. I would've gladly spent a few more days there, but my plans didn't allow it. I walked straight to the train station and took a train to Kirkkonummi.

Next post - Final days & Gabriella

Experience: Mariella + Helsinki & Tampere

The trip I waited for so long is finally happening and as promised I'm taking the chance to give an update. I've been able to give very brief daily updates on instagram, so if those interest you, feel free to follow me there as well.
I started with taking Mariella of Viking Line to Helsinki. She's usually on Helsinki-Stockholm route, but during this peak season she does a trip to Tallinn and back instead of staying in Helsinki all day. Obviously I couldn't let such a sweet chance go. Mariella's stop in Tallinn lasted for less than an hour, which means that I had to be in the terminal long before her arrival and I got to watch her come in to her sister's harbour spot. Mariella had everything one would expect to see in an overnight cruising ferry and her interior reminded me of the Cinderella, but it was clear that she's not quite the newest vessel in the fleet. I liked her large sundecks and the fact that the area under the bridge wings was accessible.

Mariella arriving and her fleetmate Viking XPRS

The info & wifi spot

Open decks

Bow visor closing as we depart...

...leaving Viking XPRS behind...

...as well as Victoria I

Silja Europa in Paljassaare

Cruise ships of the day - Royal Princess, MSC Poesia and Costa Fortuna

Royal Princess and MSC Poesia

Costa Fortuna leaving with us

Possibly the nicest place on board during summertime, although the vibration there was quite bad.

If I were to guess I'd say the captain has a thing for plants

Lifeboats, hopefully never to be used

Mandatory funnel picture

Karaoke at the night club

Underway...

Quite a nice view to accompany a slice of pizza.

Mariella's sister and ex-fleetmate Princess Anastasia near Helsinki

Superstar near Helsinki

AIDAmar in Helsinki

Silja Symphony and Seabourn Legend

Ex-fleetmates Club Med 2 and Wind Surf in Helsinki

Club Med 2

 

Silja Symphony departing

On my first day in Helsinki I didn't do much besides checking in to a hostel and walking around a bit. On the 2nd day I visited Linnanmäki which is a kind of a must-visit for me at least once every year. I've always had a thing for amusement parks.

Tulireki

Salama and Hurjakuru under it

Kingi, a freefall built this year, quickly became a favourite, especially because of the mighty view up there.

Ukko has also been a big fave ever since it was built in 2011

Vuoristorata, built in 1951.

The same evening I took a train to Tampere and met up with my friend Tuulia, who hosted me. The next day we looked around in Tampere, visited the Chilifest and a couple of stores.

They had literally everything made out of chili at the fest - chili sauces, chili marmalade, chili ice cream, you name it..

 

Quite the usual forest view at Pyynikki.

The Pyynikki tower. I visited this place two years ago, though this time I didn't even bother to climb up - I was here for the famous landmark doughnuts, which are possibly one of the most delicious things I've ever had. I had two on the spot and bought 6 for later.

Today consisted entirely of Särkänniemi - yeah, another amusement park

Koskiseikkailu and the Näsinneula tower

View from the viking ship

Me on Trombi, which was quite a rough ride

The swing ride; On the background Tornado, the best ride of the park, and Näsinneula tower.

Tomorrow early in the morning I'll continue to Turku. I have never been there before and common sense tells me that there's probably a lot more ships there than here in Tampere, although there's lots of small boats here on lake Näsijärvi. I hope I'll be able to update again soon.

Next post - Turku & Viking Grace