The Louvre and more

I love this photo - this is the crowd at the Mona Lisa. No one actually looked at the painting with their own eyes - they all viewed it through the viewfinder of their cameras/video cameras. Pushing and shoving to get a spot at the front so they could capture their own photo - which would never be any good because of the reflection of the glass frame!!
Walking down a staircase this view of one of the galleries closed - a jumble of antiquities!
Joan of Arc in gold!!
We caught the metro and train line to the Eiffel Tower and then did a one hour boat cruise around the river

Paris!!

My first time in Paris - it was amazing, incredible, etc etc. We did the main walks, and tourist spots. Highlights: Here I am standing on a bridge over the river.




And the Boulevard St Michel. As I posted on Facebook, as soon as I saw the sign I remembered that song, Where do I go to my lovely, and had to rush home and find the video on youtube. We had lunch at a cafe here.




And Sandy standing on another bridge!






So we missed the Prada, and never got to the Uffizi when we were in Florence a few years ago, so I was determined to make the Louvre. One of the first paintings we saw was this one which reminded my of all those holy cards my Mum had when I was a kid.

Before I finish with Finland

Peppi sent me this message
First, there is a guided tour for citizens of Jyväskylä in their hometown, as the Jkl culture centre has found that most people don't recognise even the statue of Uno Cygnaeus! And this is a true story. I won't unfortunately be able togo, but I've now seen the photo on your laptop screen. That is almost the real thing.
So for all our Jyvaskyla friends here is the photo!!

Hilton in Helsinki

Maybe because of the bed and the view but Hilton has never been as good as this! The bridge I am standing on took us into town every day, the other shots are views from our room window, and the bonus was Chris Isaak was staying there our last night and was having breakfast at the same time - mind you he does look quite seedy and not half as cute first thing in the mornign but I guess people could say that about me too!! ok enough of Finland. Off to Paris - of course I am writing this on the last morning in Paris so I am about three days behind!

Trams in Helsinki

Trams in Helsinki are green and yellow - for those who have never been to Melbourne a common feature of Melbourne trams too. This tram is a tourist one only 5 euros, and the conductor gave us an individual tour description as well as being very knowledgeable about Melbourne trams!!

Helsinki

So what is this? An old castle?? On the train between Tampere and Helsinki. And the train photo is for all Victorian friends who will recognise the logo!

when we arrived in Helsinki checked in and then went walking - caught in rain shower and dashed for cover into this cute glass restaurant in the park

Cultural Tampere

Onwards for a cultural view of Tampere - well as much as we could handle after an early morning, a seminar delivery, and it was cold and drizzly - that's my excuses all sown up anyway! The building is the library designed to look like a bird, love the statue of newspaper readers - celebrating 100? years of reading in Tampere??? ok that will be corrected by Peppi I am sure if she reads this:-)

Sandy and Peppi admiring a large ball floating on water, and slowly turning - don't know what Sandy is laughing at there?

And then to the Moomin Museum at the back of the library which was fascinating - and I loved the house especially.
After a little nana nap we had dinner with Peppi at great Indian restaurant - our cravings for hot spicy garlicky food soothed quite nicely. Then off to a couple of bars to experience Tampere nightlife, and then goodbye to Peppi for now and off to Helsinki.