Finland Trip Report Day 13: Second Day trip to Lake land

DAY 13 Wednesday Sep 11, 2019:

We were supposed to return the rental car by the morning. But son was not satisfied with the view of the lakes we had glimpsed the previous day. We had dawdled too much at Porvoo and had to return from Mikeli when sun started setting. It had been a looong drive from Helsinki and he wanted to do justice to the region. So he spoke to the rental and extended rental by a day.

We drove the same route. It was a windy day and we did not get the mirror reflections like the previous day.  You can see the ripples in the water in these pics...because of the wind

Also there are hardly any pullouts on the road itself. We ventured into towns and followed the brown boards which denoted attractions but it always petered out. Signage was not adequate. When we parked and tried to ask around, communication was a problem. We had not downloaded Finnish on our translate app and people did not know any English, Of course our bad.... we are usually better prepared and can manage in most foreign languages.

Anyway we had our drive, returned the car in the evening and came home to our apartment buying a day pass from the airport for zones ABC. This would serve us for the next day as well.

Report of our day 14 is here:
https://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2019/11/finland-trip-report-day-14-suomenlinna.html

Finland Trip Report Day 12: Day trip to Lake land: Porvoo

DAY 12 Tuesday Sep 10, 2019:

Our agenda for the day was driving the scenic Green Gold Culture Road with the marvelous lakes with stopovers at Pistohiekka, Lietvesi lakes and many others along the route. 

PORVOO:

Porvoo, an hour from Helsinki, has a historical cathedral and an attractive old town as its major attractions. That was our 1^st halt.

Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

Located about 50 kilometres east from Helsinki, it is possible to travel from the capital to Porvoo by steamboat in the summer.

We started off the day with some home made food as usual. 

Reached Porvoo in our rental car in an hour.

Parked the car and started walking.

Crossed the bridge over the river.

 Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo’s most well-known landmarks: its red shore houses. Originally, the shore houses were painted red in honor of the arrival of Gustav III, the king of Sweden.

Historically, Porvoo has been an important centre of trade and the shore houses were once used to store goods and produce, such as exotic delicacies from distant lands.

This building is the museum....

We strolled past the shops window shopping and did some purchases as well.

 Then we went up the castle hill...

This 15th century cathedral sits on top a tiny hill in Porvoo, and can be from any good vantage point.

Originally a church, it become a cathedral in 1723 when the diocese of Viipuri moved to Porvoo, after the Russian occupation of Viipuri.  

Then we went onward on the scenic lakes route , stopping by interesting towns like Imatra, Ruokolahti, Puumala (Lietvesi lookout), Mikkeli. 

Took route 62 from Ruokolahti to Mikkeli. Beautiful lake views, especially around Ruokolahti and between Puumala and Lietvesi lookout.

 We drove back enjoying the sun set over the lovely lakes.

Report of our next day drive to the lake lands again is here:

https://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2019/11/finland-trip-report-day-13-second-day.html