On the 31st we took a bus to Porvoo, a little village an hour north of Helsinki.  It is known to be a tourist destination because it is so quaint etc.  Well the older part of town is in fact quaint with narrow stone roads and pathways between colorful little wooden houses, all with traditional Christmas lights in the windows.  There are a couple of shopping roads that look like an old New England town, with cafes and stores catering to tourists.  But wander outside this area and the town takes on a distinctly different feel.  Very unattractive, functional buildings, clean but boring, unadorned neighborhoods.  Grace said the town where she was staying with a friend was much the same. 

Porvoo

 We did however find the most fabulous little tea and cake house.  The Finns definitely know how to bake.  There is a lot of Russian influence there, given the proximity, and this cafe was decorated with pictures of the Russian royals of the past.

xxoo me