Finland Day 13: Church and Environs, Matthew's Half Birthday

 Sunday was our last day in Helsinki. It was also Matthew's half birthday.

Matthew enjoying some pulla with breakfast.

We went to church in the Helsinki ward U served in. It was Finnish speaking (with English translation available) when he lived here. Now it is the only English speaking ward in Northern Europe. We enjoyed the sacrament meeting talks and then chatted with some ward members during 2nd hour including Kati Eronen (who served in the same district as U in Jyväskylä) and a few of her kids.

Kati Eronen and U

Kati, Me, U, Matthew, Megan

Upstairs of the church building. When U served here, this was the mission office and his apartment.

Old Testament poster in the Primary room

Megan checks out some of the small chairs in the Primary room. Their Primary is larger than ours!

Matthew playing foosball with some of the other young men in the ward.

U outside the church in Helsinki

We walked around the waterfront area including seeing a memorial for sailors lost at sea at Ursinin Kallio Park.

We also walked around a park with an observatory that is by a bunch of embassies.

Megan's thoughts on embassies: They are just buildings with big fancy people in them with flags.

Matthew, Megan, Me and U by the observatory

Looking towards the sea

Matthew and Megan with our Subway sandwiches. Matthew had been wanting to eat there for awhile. We figured it was a good way to celebrate his half birthday.

Matthew with his half birthday present: a Fazer chocolate bar

We watched some of Wonder at the apartment before heading to the ferry. Our Airbnb hosts allowed us to stay in the apartment until it was time for us to catch the ferry to Stockholm which was very appreciated!

Trucks waiting to get on the ferry to Stockholm

Matthew and Megan in our room on the ferry

Megan and Me as we leave Helsinki

U and Matthew on the ferry

Bye Helsinki!

Suomenlinna

Matthew, Me, U and Megan by the window at dinner. We enjoyed the buffet. The strawberry rhubarb sorbet was delicious! We saw rain and lightning and other ships outside the window.

U went to sauna and he said it was the best sauna of the trip!

U's Step Count: 17,500