As we do so often on Friday mornings, we are both sitting at the table writing our blogs, it is a familiar routine. Last Friday was our last day in Paris so we went to lunch with Shirley and Jim at Marcello, it was a perfect place to wrap up all the good times we had with them. Tricia made a friend at the table next to us, I had a summer salad with fresh mozzarella and summer goodies – it was quite refreshing on a day that was in the 100F range.

After lunch we left Paris to stay at a hotel near CDG, we had a flight back to Helsinki the next morning. We left Paris with a touch of sadness, but the air-conditioning at the hotel was quite comfortable.

Our flight to Helsinki was on time, and uneventful, which was a good thing.

In Helsinki we stayed at the same hotel we stayed at back in May. We were so impressed that they remembered us at check-in, upgraded us, and even left a note for us in the room.

Sunday, we had tickets for the 2 1/2 hour ferry ride to Tallinn, Estonia. This is a place that we had heard a lot about and wanted to visit as our last adventure before coming home. Well we did have an adventure, on the ferry.

The MS Finlandia is 574ft long, almost as big as some cruise ships. There are nine decks, a few of which are for cars and trucks. The first surprise was how many people we found waiting in line, with no order or organization, just a free-for-all crowd shoving and cutting.

On-board there were multiple restaurants, but they were packed. Aside from them, there was hardly any place to sit, except the floors. It may have been because it was Sunday, yet many of the comments on Google express frustration over how packed it was. The return trip was just as overdrowded. We loved Tallinn, but the ferry part was not fun at all. If you can get to Tallinn take the opportunity, but if you can find any other way to get there we would recommend using it.

We did find a seat for part of the ride, I sketched.

Tallin is an old town, and was so interesting as such places are. After walking a bit we hung out while I sketched and Tricia edited photos.

On our last day in Helsinki we took it much more relaxed. Tricia discovered the Helsinki University Botanical Gardens. We both agree that botanical gardens are one of the best places to visit when traveling; we have visited many over the years. I sketched the conservatory, which was closed on Mondays, while Tricia took photos.

And with that, our almost two month adventure came to an end. All that remained was a ten hour flight to Seattle, then a short hop to Portland. So now we are back in the PNW, I did this on the flight.

We were careful in our packing, but did bring some unwanted guests along for the ride, we both came down with colds, yuck – but they will pass and we will be back to normal.

Remember a few weeks back I posted about a speedboat cruise we took in Kotor? Well, Tricia is posting more about that today, along with some great photos.

I hope your summer is going well. We are appreciating the cooler weather, in the high 70s. Cooking is coming, though a bit limited since we are not feeling 100%.

If you are out and about be careful in the heat, and of course do a sketch. Happy 4th of July, this country still has a lot going for it, I pray that the efforts to undermine so much of what made us a wonderful place will end one day soon and a bit of peace will return.