DAY #2.....

JONATHAN & TINA

STEVEN & ELINN.....

We were off on a DAY TRIP.....still recovering from JET LAG and wanted to take it a little easy. We decided a one-hour drive north to the HAMMENLINNA CASTLE and the OLDEST BRICK BUILDING IN FINLAND (dating to about 1315 A.D.......yes, 1315!)

It is really hard to know when tourist sights are actually open. We have been by this church TWICE now and it still hasn't been open. They apparently hold church services here but ONLY IN THE SUMMER! We are 'officially' in WINTER season now!

We were determined we wanted to see the paintings on the walls on the inside but the windows are way too high to see in.

STEVEN.......

and JONATHAN........figured out a way we could see the inside. With our cameras they put their hand (with camera in hand) under the door (wide gap thank goodness!) and took a couple of pictures.......

and here are the results! Great shots guys.....

it looks like it would have been beautiful to see up close and personal.

We walked down to the cemetery overlooking this lake.....just gorgeous with the fall colors.

And on to HAMMENLINNA CASTLE........

Elinn found the bathroom quite fascinating....and did I. Can you imagine this kind of stone wall in your bathroom.......

And a shot of the inside courtyard 'balcony' ....... which is also very cool. This castle dates back to about 1370! Not a young thing either. Are there ANY new buildings in Finland. And these old structures are in such great shape......

Tomorrow: Off to TALLINN, ESTONIA for a couple of days.