May 20, 2013 - upper middle class

Sailing away from St. Petersburg was a real challenge for our captain. The Gulf of Helsinki is only 6 - 10 feet deep and we need at least 27. The Russians have dug a narrow channel just deep enough for the likes of us all the way into the harbor. Captains need to make reservations to come and go since we pretty much take up the whole shipping channel. No passing lanes. As we sailed we came very close to Kronstadt, one of those forbidden secret military locations that the Russians would leave off the map so no one would know they were...

Oct 1, 2012 - Helsinki

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND In 1550, the Swedish King Gustav Vasa decided to develop a port town in order to complete with the Hanseatic port of Tallinn in what is now Estonia. He forced all the traders from neighbouring ports to Helsingfors (known to English speakers as Helsinki). The venture was not as successful as he had hoped it would be, and for the next 200 years the town on the rocky, windswept peninsula remained a backwater outpost. When the Russians threatened from the east, the city was burned to the ground in 1713 to prevent it from...

Aug 22, 2012 - Unable to Post Remainer of Trip :(

Combined with bad Internet connections and not being able to upload any pictures, I won't be able to continue this journal. What I plan to do is keep a journal the old fashioned way and then post it along with photos when we get home the end of the month !

May 12, 2012 - Helsinki, Finland- Day 4

The PharmSCAN 'side-trip' to Tallin, Estonia today was cancelled due to high winds and rough seas. The hydrofoil (boat) wasn't able to 'sail'. Instead, we enjoyed some of the sights of Helsinki, including the zoo. It was a fun day. Look for a report and pictures later. ~SAN Today was our last day here in Finland, and we had planned an excursion to Tallinn, Estonia via a hydrofoil for the day to explore the city and experience one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. Unfortunately, nature decided not to cooperate, and due to strong winds and...

May 11, 2012 - Helsinki - Day 3

Today was our second day of formal activities in Helsinki, and we continued to learn more about the Finnish pharmacy system. We met Reijo 'George' Kärkkäinen, who is the former CEO of the Association of Finnish pharmacies, and Professor Alan Lyles, a Fulbright scholar who was able to cover his history of traveling around the globe and undertaking many academic projects and cooperatives throughout the world of pharmacy.  We ate again at a small Finnish buffet which served a homemade Finnish ale, which was particularly interesting and...

May 10, 2012 - Helsinki - Day 2

Today was the second day of the inaugural PharmSCAN trip. Yesterday, May 9th, the Orlando 5, the Gainesville 3, the St. Pete 3, and Dr. Normann all arrived in Helsinki, Finland, officially combining to form the PharmSCAN 12. We kicked off our trip by checking into the hotel and heading to an authentic Russian restaurant, Saslik, just in time for Ryan’s birthday. Russian influence is prevalent in Finland given the expansive border between the two countries. From the delectable bear meat to the Iron Sword of beef and lamb, every bit of food...

Apr 18, 2012 - Helsinki

Arrived Helsinki in the morning. Collected rental car at Vantaa airport and drove to city centre. It took a while for Siew Leong to get used to the left-hand drive and manual car. City is about 17 km away. City roads are not easy to drive - most roads are one way and the right-most lane is usually dedicated to buses and taxis, and there are also trams that we need to avoid. Parking is limited. However, it was a conscious decision on our part to drive, to limit walking for Luke. We walked around the city square and stepped into one of the...

Dec 26, 2011 - Lähtö lähenee

Muutama päivä jäljellä ennen koneeseen nousua ja tekemistä on riittävästi, joten aika menee varmasti äkkiä. Töitäkin on vielä neljä päivää, asunto siivottava ja kamat muutettava.. Ja se rinkkakin pitäis varmaan pakata vielä. Noh, asiat hoituu omalla painollaan, joten ei stressiä. Tämmöisestä keskipäivän auringosta ois tarkoitus lähteä vähän toisenlaisiin tunnelmiin.

Dec 21, 2011 - Lapland - Hello Santa

Lapland facebook photo link: (copy and paste) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151060521405707.770890.746395706&type=1&l=5abca1d82c 17th December Friday morning we were all up early to say our goodbyes and head to the train station in Tiverton. Wendy also left the farm today, and travelled with Tony as far as Oxford. Tony found out later in the day that Dave had left that morning as well. Not sure what was behind it, perhaps he had been worked too hard the day before? It was an exceptionally busy day. Tony didn’t get to speak...

Aug 12, 2011 - Departing Lapland with a heavy heart.

This afternoon I leave this beautiful country and fly south for a super quick stopover in Helsinki. Markus reminded me of my own son, Daniel.Thank you again to Pasi & Anne for their hospitality :) I think I've left my heart behind in Lapland. Spent the evening catching up with my cousin Anssi and his wife, Arja. They live in Helsinki and can see the sea from their balcony...we saw quite a few ships leave port...and of course the full moon reflected beautifully on the sea, made me think of home and how the moon reflects on the ocean.

Aug 11, 2011 - Beautiful Lapland

Anne and I trekked to Pielpajärven Church today through some of the most breath taking scenery. This particular 700 year old church was the first church built into the area when Christianity came to Lapland. It also survived World War 2 and wasn't burnt to the ground like most of the buildings and inferstructure in Lapland by the German Army in their retreat after Armistace was signed. I was told an interesting fact today which I hadn't known before. The walls are built from Lapland pine and over the years the sun has burnt the timber's...

Aug 10, 2011 - Inari

Went bike riding this morning into the village of Inari to the church dad helped to build. Unfortunately unable to go in due to renovations. I realized I forgot gloves...my fingers nearly froze on the bikeride. We went back to the Siida with Tiger Ted and Pinkie. We checked out the outdoor museum which showed how the Saami lived when they still lived their nomadic lifestyle. I know I need to have my eyes checked as I had walked past the entrance several times and still couldn't find it! Ted decided he wanted to see how deep the well was ......