SAD TIMES, FINLAND
   We were tired tourists and tired of touring as our bus dropped us off.  After going through Russian Emmigration, presenting our Passports for the last time and being scrutinized by a staunch-faced officer, we boarded our ship and were soon sailing out of Port on our way to Helsinki, Finland.
   Somehow, Debby, Ron and Nancy ditched me for dinner so I headed up to deck 16, The Lido to have dinner from the sprawling aisles of cafeteria style food.  There is much to eat up here.   You name it, it's probably served on the Princess.  I had steak, sautéed mushrooms,  shrimp, salmon and onion rings,  among other things.
      For this cruise, we purchased one interior stateroom and one stateroom with a balcony.  Ron and Nancy were staying in the balcony unit until the day before we reached St Petersburg, when we exchanged rooms.
   During the night last night, the Westerly winds came up to around 40 knots, creating white caps and rough seas. 
   We were scheduled to dock in Helsinki about 0700.  At about 0600 the Skipper came on the loud speakers in our cabins that he had some bad news.   In light of the high winds creating unsafe conditions,  he must totally by-pass Finland, citing safety of passengers, ship and crew.  Instead, he would cut our speed in half and steam towards Sweden, spending today at sea and dock at Sweden, on schedule, early tomorrow morning.  The forecast of the winds dying down tonight will allow safe docking tomorrow.
   Finland has always intrigued me.  I don't know why, but I have always longed to visit Finland....since the 1960's.  I thought for sure this would be my time!  Sad times!  I need a hug.
   There is much to do aboard ship besides eat all day on the Lido.  We roamed about for a while before napping in our staterooms, waiting on dinner!  We are SO predictable!