Wong Wide Web – Ohana No Ka Oi

EMERALD PRINCESS
08/03/2009 – 08/14/2009

Aug. 3, 2009 (Mon)

Flew from San Diego to Atlanta, then from Atlanta to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aug. 4, 2009 (Tue), Copenhagen, Denmark

We shuttled from the airport to the harbor.  It seems like a fantasy as we passed through Copenhagen downtown, the “look” of the capital city.  The coppery green towers alongside gingerbread houses, dozens of bicycles along cobblestone streets all look awesome.

Fredriks Church and Palace

We boarded the Emerald Princess and true to its name is a majestic floating palace.

The Piazza, Decks 5,6 & 7

Aug. 5, 2009 (Wed), At Sea

We sailed through various courses across the Baltic Sea on our way to the first destination, Stockholm, Sweden.
It was the first formal night.  Hard to be first in line but it was exciting to be pouring at the very top of the cascading Champagne Waterfall.  After dinner, we went to see the show, Motor City, at the Princess Theater.

Aug. 6, 2009 (Thu), Stockholm, Sweden

It is a city of majestic architecture and lush parks. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the home of the Nobel Prize.  Called the “Belle of the Baltic” is one of the world’s most orderly, clean and beautiful cities.

Aug. 7, 2009 (Fri), Helsinki, Finland

Most of the buildings were built during the last 2 centuries.  The architect, Carl Engel, designed and executed a master plan for a series of public buildings along clean, new classical lines.  The Senate Square with Government Palace on one side and the University on the other is an example of this style.

The unique Temppeliaukio Rock Church, covered with a huge copper dome, was curved and blasted from solid granite rock.  The church is very impressive.  We have to wait for a few minutes for a wedding ceremony to finish before getting inside the church.

The Sibelius Park, has a huge stainless steel monument honoring Jean Sibelius, a great nationalistic composer who helped keep the ethnic consciousness alive.

Aug. 8 / 9, 2009 (Sat / Sun), St. Petersburg, Russia

The most stunning time to see St. Petersburg may be in the early morning, when the sun is just beginning to catch the gold on spires and domes throughout the city.  Peter the Great for his love of architecture, has made the capital of Imperial Russia one of the architectural treasures of the world.  Peter the Great built the Peterhof Palace in a 300-acre park to rival Versailles.  The palace boasts a classical façade and stunning fountains and gardens.  Nearby, Catherine Palace honors his wife Catherine I who succeeded him as ruler.

St. Petersburg provides a fine glimpse of its life and culture.  The Russian soul is European and Asian, Western and Eastern, modern and medieval.

Aug. 10, 2009 (Mon), Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn has preserved its medieval Old City with its high church spires and red tile roofs.  Wooden crafts made from birch tree are nice souvenirs.
For souvenirs – amber jewelry, Russian wooden nest of dolls and intricately painted Faberge eggs are irresistible.

Aug. 11, 2009 (Tue). Gdynia, Poland

Gdynia is the gateway port to Poland’s historic city of Gdansk, the place where World War II started.  Gdansk is well known as the birthplace of Solidarity, the trade-labor movement that played a pivotal role in the tearing down of the Iron Curtain.
Just took it easy on board.

Aug. 12, 2009 (Wed), At Sea

We attended the Platinum/Elite Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party at 5:30 pm.  The Temperature Band was playing and enjoyed dancing until prior to the captain’s welcome speech.

Aug. 13, 2009 (Thu), Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the oldest and least populous capital in Scandinavia.  Holmenkollen, Oslo is where the Olympic Ski jumping and the site of the 1952 Olympic competition.  It is under construction in preparation for the 2011 Olympics.  Along the way, we met some locals practicing on the road with roller skis – already preparing for the Olympics.

On our way back from Holmenkollen, it was interestingly noticeable some structures with unique roofs. The soil and grasses or weeds keep the Norwegians’ homes warm during winter and cold during summer times.

The Vigeland Sculpture Park is the home of the stone, iron and bronze sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. It depicts a complete form of human life from birth to death. We preferred to stay with the tour bus as it could rain anytime and going back to the ship could be a hassle.

From the ship, a beautiful view of the Akershus Castle just across the street. Built in 1300, the castle provided additional protection for Oslo.

Aug. 14, 2009 (Fri), Copenhagen

As we glide into Copenhagen’s beautiful harbor, it is quite appropriate that the first one to greet us is Hans Christian Andersen’s “Little Mermaid”. The Little Mermaid is one of the most photographed ladies in the world. Somehow, we missed taking pictures.
It’s now disembarkation time.

To view the complete album on this cruise, please go to http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=o29wjen.7z7ed967&x=0&h=1&y=-pdkp01&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button

Aug. 13, 2009 (Thu), Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the oldest and least populous capital in Scandinavia. Holmenkollen, Oslo is where the Olympic Ski jumping and the site of the 1952 Olympic competition. It is under construction in preparation for the 2011 Olympics. Along the way, we met some locals practicing on the road with roller skis – already preparing for the Olympics.

Related posts:

1. Tyler’s Easter surprise from Lola and Lolo
2. Christmas 2009 during Thanksgiving at Lola’s