Final 3 Days

I return from a lovely trip to Russia. Honestly, I wasn't that fussed about going again, but my mum was so keen to go that I agreed, but now I glad I did go again. I did more shopping than sight seeing this time. I bought a big Russian nesting doll, along with a porcelain one (in the dance outfit with rabbit hair and stuff... dont know the proper name, but I'll put a pic up eventually), and a couple of CDs (Ani Lorak and Bis). So I'm happy enough with that :)

As for this week though, I have just 3 days left in Turku. I cant even begin to gather my thoughts well enough to put it into words how I'm feeling right now.

Edit: Here's the pic as promised...

Week one of the mammoth trip

So I've returned from a very busy few days in Stockholm. We seems to do quite a lot, which obviously makes for a lot of walking, and my feet were so sore! After my mum arrived and we'd checked into the hotel, we went for a tourist-type boat trip around some of the waters of Stockholm. Was very nice, even if I was falling asleep a bit...
Day two we ran round and saw the Palace, along with the changing of the guards, and the treasury. Then we had a quick sandwich and rushed off to the Vasa museum. We also saw a few churches along the way.
Day three, we took a steam boat to Drottingholm Palace. Much nicer than the one in the main square. The gardens looked beautiful in the sunshine. We then headed back and went up Katarina lift (near Slussen) to get a high up view of the old town. Well worth the trip. Kaknas tower was a taller alternative, but we decided it wasnt worth the bus trip.
Day four was our final day, so we did a tour of the city hall (not something high on our list, but actually surprisingly inetersting) and then we jumped on another boat tour, purely becuase it was raining, the ticket was free (included on the Stockholm card that we had purchased for the trip) and it was leaving from outside the city hall 15 minutes after our tour had finished. After that it was just time for some serious shopping. I bought 8 CDs (Mans, Danny, September, Molly Sanden, Sanna Neilsen, Jonathan Fagerlund x2, and Velvet) and we bought some nice souvenirs too. Back to the ferry, exhusted but happy.

Friday was my mothers first taste of Finland. Unfortunately I wasnt much of a guide, as I fell alseep for 4 hours, and then was a bit grumpy on the quick tour of the town I gave her before running of to my boyfriends. Not many brownie points there then. But today I took her to Naantali, which looked lovely in the sunshine and was a lot busier than the last time I went in the Autumn. We just strolled around, taking it all in, and then gave in a bought a Moomin souvenir (picture to follow... if I remember). We then headed back to the flat where I cooked shepherds pie for us both, so hoping that makes up for the lost brownie points of yesterday. Tomorrow, we're going for lunch with the boyfriend and then off to Ruissalo (weather permitting) before catching a night train to Rovaniemi! Busy busy busy.

Reflective Blog

So, as I mentioned, I had my last day at work this week. It was sad to say goodbye to Saara and Joanna who have been great supervisors, although mentor would probably be a better word. They have taught me so much scientifically and culturally. I dont often talk about the science side of things here, but that was the intially point of my year abroad. It was a PTY (placement training year) which could have just as easily been in the UK, but instead was abroad and as such, all the cultural stuff I was learning and experiencing kind of overshadowed my scienitifc achievements for the year. Obviously the seminar was a huge milestone, but actually, my confidence in my abilties has really improved. After doing badly in my A-levels, I came to university with the aim of just getting on with it, seeing how I did and then getting a job. But now I have renewed enthusiasum to achieve a 2:1 (something people kept telling me I could get if I just worked a little harder, but I didnt believe them. Now I do). And I am also now considering the option of doing a postgraduate course. Perhaps a research masters, so as to be doing something similar to what I was doing this year. Who knows, we'll have to see. But either way, I don't see this as a sad ending, but rather a new beginning. A new chapter is starting, one that could lead me anywhere, and that is exciting. I feel like there are more oppertunities to be had out there. The world is my oyster! haha.

Aaaaanyway. The traditional exchanging of gifts took place. I tried to think of something more meaningful than chocolate, so bought a pot plant for each Joanna and Saara to have at their desks and brighten up the place. I think they liked them. As for me, they bought me something really nice. All year I had been considering buying myself a Moomin mug, as it is the most typical Finnish souvenir. However, Moomins are very popular here, and so anything to do with them is expensive. And the Moomin mugs are made by the popular Finnish ceramics company Arabia, making them even more expensive. But that is exactly what I got as a present and it couldnt be more perfect. Look...




All wrapped up pretty with some Marimekko napkins. I've decided the Marimekko store in Turku is dangerous. They had a sale this week, and I ended up buying a cute notepad that I probably won't use. But still... Oh, and as for a report update, I've passed the 3000 word mark now, and so might treat myself to that bag anyway :)

July Plans

So I guess its about time I reveal to you the truely ambitious month of travel I have planned for July. My mother is coming to visit me here in Turku, but she doesnt like to fly (problems with her ears you see) so she is coming via 5 trains and a ferry! So since she was coming all that way. I foolishly suggested that I extend my lease on my student flat (assuming there was anyone wanting to move in as early as July) and she stay for a few weeks and we could really explore. Little did I know what a headache organising everything would be. We got a little carried away with where we want to go and what-not, but here is the final plan...

05/07: I leave for Stockholm on the night ferry.
06/07: Mother joins me and we spend a few days exploring the Swedish capital.
09/07: We head to Turku on the night ferry.
12/07: We get a night train to Rovaniemi.
15/07: Return from Rovaniemi.
17/07: Head to Helsinki.
18/07: We take an early ferry to Tallinn.
19/07: Return to Helsinki, and meet my brother from the airport.
20/07: Head to Turku for the week.
24/07: Head back to Helsinki to see my brother off. Spend the night.
25/07: Take a train to St Petersburg.
28/07: Return from St Petersburg.
31/07: Sat moi moi to Turku. Take the night ferry to Stockholm, and then 5 trains to home!

How crazy is all that?! Well, its been a bit tricky booking all the various hotels, trains and ferrys. Not to mention arranging for another visa to Russia. I know that for my mum it is the trip of a lifetime, and she is so excited to see everything. I am happy to be visiting Stockholm again, and for a longer stay this time. And then I'm always happy to go back to Tallinn. Can't say I was overly enthused about going to St Petersburg again so soon after I've just been, and all the extra complications of getting visa's a what-not didnt help, but luckily the Russian consulate is here in Turku. Anyway, nearly everything has been booked now. Well, all the things my mum was in charge of is at least. I only just started my end of the deal, but I'm slowly getting sorted. Although maybe I should stop being so slow, what with it being less than 2 weeks away!

I finish work on tuesday. I can't believe it. Especially since there are still many assays to be done. Will have to trust that someone takes over from me. So anyway, you might not hear that much from me in July other than the odd quick update here and there.

Walking Around in the Rain

Its been raining allll day, and was just 5 degrees(!) as I left the Kauppatori this afternoon. What happened to the summer?!

On the plus side, me and Mira found some of the best postcards ever...

I Was Just Walking Around in the Sun...

The summer is finally arriving in Finland. Or maybe its just the spring, I cant tell. Either way the sun was shining beautifully yesterday. So after work I met with Mira for pizza and then we went for ice cream along the river. We went for a soft-ice/99 flake style ice cream this time. Except of course they don't have flakes here :( BUT they did have a choice between vanilla, chocolate, or a mix of the two! Magic. So we sat along the river for a while until the sun went behind some bushes. In search of more sun, we went higher. Towards the observatory hill. We found a second spot, but once again the sun moved behind some trees, so we continued yet higher until we were practically at the top of the hill. Success. Anyway, I'm not sure whether it was the prolonged sun exposure, the high altitude, or a sugar rush, but I was in such a bizzare mood. It was the best afternoon I've had in a while. It made me feel young again, in the days when you could just chill out with friends without a care in the world and forget about the passing of time.

I have some pictures and a song to share with you. In my crazy state I ended up singing a random selection of songs to the increasingly concerned Mira. This being one of them...





I should mention that Mira had never heard of Adam and the Ants before. Anyway, I also have some lovely photos. They're just of the sunshine, but still...

BBQ tonight! Although its partly a farewell party for my housemate who is leaving early tomorrow morning. There have been a few goodbyes this week. It makes me sad. Mostly because it reminds me that it will be my turn before long :(

Last Weekemd

So, its been an interesting few days. We didn’t have the bank holiday weekend like you lucky souls at home (although we had a bank holiday Thursday so cant complain too much I guess). But my weekend has been made up of films, food, and cheerleading.

The film society (I’m guessing) hosted another film festival this weekend, where I saw an interesting Norwegian documentary on the acidification of the ocean, and how co2 emissions are threatening the future of all marine life. Heavy stuff, but enlightening. I also saw a few shorts, some good, some bad, some indifferent. It was all free though, so why not eh? I then went to my boyfriends where he was determined to show me Rocky. He is convinced its not just about boxing. And ok, it isn’t entirely, but is still a bit :p But yeah, it was actually alright, better than I expected. So that was the film section of the weekend. I should mention also, that in return for showing me Rocky, I am introducing him to a wealth of British comedy – Black Books, Fawlty Towers, Michael McIntyre, Frankie Boyle… The list goes on.

Next for the food. I have made Yorkshire pudding for unsuspecting Finns twice this week. The first time was more successful than the second, but both were edible :) I’ve also had mince meat soup and meat balls and potato wedges cooked for me. Its nice to have proper meals for a change. I should get more into cooking. Its not that hard. But supernoodles or beans on toast is just so much easier :) And sandwiches, never underestimate the beauty of a good sandwich :)

Then the cheerleading. Well, yes, my boyfriends sister was competing, and he was official photographer, so I went along with him. It was actually quite entertaining. There’s a lot of different skills involved. Dancing, co-ordination, trust and impressive acrobatics. And with the right music, its pretty cool to watch. I agree that Waldo’s People makes for a good song to cheerlead to, but I must have heard it more than 5 times within an hour! Oh, and 30seconds or so of a remix of Fairytale, which was odd.

But overall an enjoyable weekend. Although the thunderstorm on Saturday wanst so nice. I mean, I was indoors at the time, but inside a wooden hourse… Wooden houses somehow seem like a major fire hazard when surrounded by bolts of lightening… The weather is glorious now though, and I’m thinking of wondering around for a while after work with my camera and taking a few pictures to share with you all.

And I promise I will finish the Russia diarys sometime soon. I took way to many pictures, but have finally sorted through the best and the rest, so should have those started up again by the weekend…

Hyvää Vappua

May the 1st in Finland is a national holiday looked forward to by many Finns. Many have even told me they prefer it to Christmas. Then again, their Christmas doesnt seem as much fun :p

But yes, May 1st, or Vappu, is a 2 day celebration of... well I'm not sure actually. But its important for students. If you graduate from a Finnish 'high school' then you get a funny white hat that looks like part of a navy uniform. They have a little gold emblem, which is different for each region. But essentially they all look the same. On April 31st the celebrations begin. Well actually, some people start ealier in the week, and various societies at the university hold gatherings with drinks and traditional Vappu snacks. My celebrations started with the annual speach made by the head of the utu (university of turku) students union. This is held on the hill by the art museum, just north of the kauppatori. And there's were many many many people. There was some music and a choir before the speach, after which the students can then put on their caps. Although mainly a student celebration, many adults and all ages were there to listen to the speach and take part in the tradition. Have a look at some of my pictures to get an idea of the atmosphere...
After that we walked down to the river where there is a statue of ... someone. Every year she gets 'cleaned' by some of the dentist students before getting her cap. To be honest this was a bit lame. In helsinki the statue is a fountain so the cleaning is well, real. But anyway. After that everyone goes off to private parties, and the town is overtaken by drunken Finns.

The next day, actual Vappu, there is a mass picnic held on Vartiovuorimaki (something like that). Its the observatory hill, one of my favourite places in Turku, and something I believe I have written about quite a few times. Well, the place was strewn with sleeping hungover Finns, picnic blankets, mini BBQ's, and there was also a stage with more bands and a DJ and more speaches. Oh, and there was also free ice cream and free fanta :) Again, pictures say more than words...

Ahoj!

So again it seems I have been neglecting the blog. My two weeks at home were manic, and this week has been just as manic. It must be something to do with the beautiful sunshine we're having here (although still not double figures in terms of temperature, so don't get too jealous), but I've been feeling rather sociable this week. So on wednesday, just one day after getting back in Finland, I went to the ESN goodbye party! So soon! It was a tshirt signing party, so thought it might make a nice memento. I have quite a bit of space to hunt down some of my friends that weren't there though... so be warned!

Then friday night was spent chilling with Mira. The days are so long here now, its really messing with my head. Its always much later than I think it is, and I nearly walked straight past Mira's flat because I didn't recognise it in the daylight!

Saturday, well saturday was crazy. I met with Mira again to go to the market that was going on down by the river. The sunshine was glorious and the fish smelt so good. I bought another piece of salmon cooked over an open fire (really really delicious!) and I was even brave enough to try the tiny fish that they seem to just eat as though it were a plate of chips. I always thought they looked unappealing, but one stall was giving away free samples, so thought I should try before I judge. It was very salty, still had the skin (no scales, but still I hate the skin on fish in general) and lots of tiny tiny bones. So I had a couple of bites and threw it away. I'll stick to the salmon :)

Oh, and since I got a shiny new digital camera for my birthday, I took a few snaps for your pleasure...









Then in the evening, the head of our ESN section hosted a party at her house. Its an amazing apartment, the most coveted of the student accomodation, and now I can see why. It was the best student accomodation I've ever seen. There was a mix of mostly Finns and the odd exchange student, but it was just a really fun night. Although I perhaps had a few too many vodka shots. Ahem.

Today, I'm out for drinks again (not so many this time), and then tomorrow will be a crazy last-minute packing night. Yes, I may have been back less than a week, but I will soon be off on travels yet again. This time I'll be going to explore the great motherland itself.

Yes, I will be travelling to Russia!!! After a bit of a headache with visa's and my disorganisation in signing up for activitys, its now all systems go. I will be travelling with ESN (and a Russia speaking tour guide) to both Moscow and St Peterburg! We spend one crazy day in Moscow (night train arrives around 8am, and then we get the night train to St Petersburg at about 10pm), where I will be partaking in a tour of the Kremlin among other things. Then we stay in St Petersburg for 3-4 days. I have signed up for a tour of one of the many palaces, a trip to the ballet (I'm not a huge fan, but if I'm going to see ballet anywhere I guess it should be in Russia right) and then a riverboat cruise of the city (with champers and chocolates on board). I just hope the weather holds out for that. There was also talk amongst the ESN girls last night about hiring a limo one night. Then of course there is the Hermitage to get lost in too. And CD shopping :) Any other tips and suggestions of things to do and see are very welcome!

So yes, a busy few more days. I'm sure even when I get back there will be lots more exploring. Particularly, I want to explore the islands around Turku much more, something I had been waiting for the sun before doing. No excuses now then eh? So moi moi for now!

I'm heading back to Helsinki tonight for a few days. Some friends from home are coming to visit, so will be showing them the sights of the capital before heading back to Turku for the weekend. Then next week I'm taking part in a week-long seminar for master's students to present their research. Despite not even finishing my bachelor yet, my supervisor thought it would be a good chance to get some experience at these sorts of things. Which means I've had to prepare an abstract, a scientific poster, and a 15 minute presentation. Hence why I've been so busy. Although the presentation is next week, I'll be busy with my friends all weekend, so needed to get everything finished by the end of today really! Busy busy busy.

But! I am super excited about my friends visit, and I'm really excited about going back to Helsinki. I do love Turku so much, but its always nice to get out and head to the capital for a while and catch up with old friends. And this time, it will be even older friends too! Awesome!

So it might be a while before you hear from me again, depending on how the seminar preparations go next week. Byee!

Eine Kleine EssenMusik

Is it normal for a philharmonic orchestra to start playing classical music in the middle of the university canteen I wonder? Hmm...

Cold Snap

I just want to share a few pics with you. The river here in Turku has been frozen for a while now, and I kpet meaning to take a photo. Friday I missed the bus, so decided to finally go and do it. So here are a selection of the photos taken.

Just a Day Late

Happy Finnish Independence Day!

Have more guests with me this weekend, so bit short on time. Will post details of the celebrations and some pictures very soon!

Holidays Are Coming...

Oh, I'm loving the Christmas tunes going on on Radio Nova at the minute. Been a long day at work, but a fairly laid-back one. My lecturer came from England to do the round of placement visits. He needed some lunch, so we sat and talked in the cafeteria for a while. Was getting really stressy about it last night, but it was actually... fun? I dont know, maybe just talking to someone who knew about my home uni/degree etc was nice. And telling someone about my experiences at work who actually understood. I mean, I bore Rach with my talk of immunoassays and phosphate buffers, but it was nice to talk with someone who has a knowledge of it already.

We're (the other placement students, their supervisors, and our lecturer) going out for dinner tonight, which should be nice.

Oh, and since he spoke to my supervisor first, he passed on some of her good comments to me. Such as the fact that she thinks I'm fairly competent and know when something is important enough to go and ask about when I'm unsure, and that she respects my persistence in going and sitting for coffee with my 'colleagues' even when they continue to speak in Finnish the whole time. :)

Oh wait, James Blunt, Your Beautiful just came on the radio. Maybe its time to go home...

Busy Busy Busy

Grrrr, blooming virus's (Or Drive-By Downloads, as Rachel has informed me they are called). Stupid thing just wasted half my evening and all I had to do was clear my private data. Oh well, at least it wasnt anything too malicious.

I have sorted through my Stockholm pics, and will do some proper updating soon. Went back to work today, so definitely on the mend. Out with the language circle tomorrow night and then think for hot chocolate friday night, then there's all sorts going on saturday night (plus my friend from Helsinki is visiting!) and then sunday night I've been invited for a Korean food night, then monday night is knitting again (I finished my hat this week!) and then Tuesday my tutor from England is coming for a visit, the Wednesday is a big Language Cicle party, then Thursday I'm meeting my travel buddies to swap pictures from Stockholm, and then friday I'm off to Seinajoki for the weekend, and then Monday will be knitting again and then FINALLY tuesday I might be able to update! Wow! That is gonna be a busy few weeks!

Hmm, so apologies if you dont hear much from me over the next week or so. Will try to type a few things up at work (apparently the new assays I'll be starting on Friday have 2 hour incubation periods = lots of mindless net surfing), so you might still hear from me yet!

Let It Snow!

One last quick post before Stockholm...

We have snow in Turku! Lots of it!

Nobody's Perfect

My new housemate isnt perfect! Hurrah!

I live with 2 girls. One never talks to me unless she wants to borrow something. The other used to sit and have a cup of tea with me occasionally, and was generally very nice. She moved out 2 weeks ago. My new housemate (who is Russian) doesnt really talk to me much (although we still say hello etc) but doesnt make a point of avoiding me either like the other girl.

Anyway, when she moved in, she spent the whole weekend cleaning. Which made me feel guilty. She continued this trend, by defrosting the freezer, continuing to clean etc etc. I also thought she was emptying the bins (something that rarely happened before she moved in).

Tonight I went onto the balcony to find 2 weeks of bin bags mercilessly thrown out onto it! It gave me a great sense of satisfaction to know she wasnt perfect. I stood and enjoyed the view for a while (of the skyline, not the rubbish), before returning to my room feeling a lot better.

Observations

That was a bit of a mammoth post wasnt it? I really should update more often. Thought I better put todays activity as a separate post as it will mostly be pictures. I actually took nearly 100 photos within an hour. Which is shocking, since I'm not normally a snap-happy sort. Although I admit to becoming a bit snap happy since i've been here. I'm constantly taking photos on the way to/from work of the sunrise/set.

Anyway, today when I woke up it actually seemed quite bright outside, so suddenly had ideas of going to look at St Michaels Church on the other side of town, and also finally to go and have a look at the observatory. This is a beautiful white building that sits apon a hill, and which you can see from all over Turku. As I went to catch the bus into town, it seemed it was a lot colder than anticipated, and on the way into town it looked as though it was trying to snow. So I decided to just head for the observatory.

This is in part of Turku that is now the handicrafts museum, and the only remaining areas of old Turku saved from the major fire. Its also set in a beasutiful park, so the whole area is very beautiful. First you have the handicrafts museum...



And then I discovered a Summer Theatre, with some nice views...



The best views of the city were to be found in front of the observatory...




Then of course there was the observatory itself...




Oh, and I even got a glimspe of the church I was initially planning to visit...


And then I headed home.
I think this is my favourite area of Turku. Not including Ruissalo. I imagine in the summer it would truely beautiful, although the trees would block some of the views, so there is beauty in all seasons I guess.

The Week Revised

Sundays are slow in Finland, so lets see if I can type up this weeks goings on...

Saturday 8/11
I went along to the Jubilee concert of the Åbo Akademi symphony orchestra. It was really nice to listen to a live orchestra again. I used to play in a brass band back home, and my aunt and uncle would often take me to orchestra concerts, so it was a nice nostalgic feeling. Except of course this orchestra were blooming fantastic (compared to our learners brass band at least). The first half featured a novel composistion by the orchestra's composer and had a Finnish zither as the solo instrument. I have never seen this instrument before and it was surprising the range of different sounds that it could produce. There were then some pieces with a clarinet solo. The second half was my favourite though. It featured a daramtic peice by Sibelius (a famous Finnish composer, who has a monument dedicated to him in Helsinki, which I have vistied). I prefered this purely because there was much more brass. They then finished off with Finlandia, Sibelius's most famous piece and a sort of unofficial national anthem for Finland.

Sunday 9/11
I went back to Ruissalo to the sea sauna with Carrie, my fellow native speaker of the English Language Circle (except she's american, but dont let that put you off). The weather was miserable, but it meant that the sea actually looked like the ocean rather than just a lake, as the winds were causing waves that splashed along the coast. Also it was so misty you couldnt see the islands. The sauna was in a beautiful littel wooden cottage, with a real og fire in the main room, and then the sauna round back. We had the sauna to ourselves for the most part. We did try and follow the Finns down to the sea where they were swimming without a care in the world, but it was absolutely freezing. I managed to go in once, but my hands were nearly blue by the time we came out, so after that we just stuck to putting our feet in to cool off. All in all, a relaxing way to spend sunday afternoons.

Monday 10/11
After talking to Finns in the language circle, Carrie had the idea of setting up a knitting club as a kind of spin-off from the language circle. So now every monday we plan to meet, knit, drink tea and chat. Last week I missed them in the Kauppatori, so didnt have any yarn, but carrie lent me some of her left-overs and I made a bookmark... This week I plan to stock up on wool and try out for a hat :) My aunt often tried to teach me to knit, but I never stuck at it long and so would always forget. I prefered cross-stitch to be honest. I quite enjoyed it last week actually, and can see how knitting a jumper or hat is more practical than cross-stitching a horse onto a tea-towel...

Thursday 13/11
The language circle met again, and this time we just went to a pub. We went to Poro, which is Finnish for reindeer. I've been there once before and really liked it. Its all decorated with fur and antlers, and funky lighting. And they do a mean hot chocolate.


After that, some of us carried on to Bounce Around the World, a night organised by one of ESN. It was to feature international music from all around the world, and I tried to help out by providing some songs, but it seems that it had all gone a bit pear-shaped for the guy organising it, and the international music was only being played in the lobby while the main dance-floor was filled with the usual generic stuff. So we sat in the lobby. Was cool to see a couple of Russian girls going a a bit mad when Gore Zima by Dima Bilan came on. I enjoyed the company and the music, but the actualy club and atmosphere was a bit of a disspointment. A nice idea, just poorly exicuted I think...

Saturday 15/11
Me and a friend decided to head for a museum. There are a number of museums in Turku, and despite visiting a few in Helsinki, I hadnt thought about going to any here really (apart from the castle, which I guess could count as a museum). So we chose to visit the Aboa Vetus | Ars Nova museum, which is a museum of archeology and contemporary art... Strange combination. I'm not really a fan of art museums, but I like history, and with Turku being the oldest town in Finland there is a lot of it here.
For the archeology section of the museum, you descend into an actual excavation of Turku, where you can wonder around the old unearthed streets of medieval Turku. There is a running story of a fictional character called Matti, based on fact, that guides you around the museum, and lots of activities for children to take part in (although we tried a few, never too old). the highlight is possibly the chapel, where you can light a candel and say a prayer. A very intesting museum, which is worth the entrance fee alone.
The art section of the museum I was not so interested in, but since its all in the one entrance fee, we went around anyway. There was an exhibition of the CoBrA group of artists, who apparently formed 60 years ago and were influential in the development of modern art. It was alright I guess, but I've never been a fan of art in general. I always feel like I'm missing something. Although there were two pieces that I liked a lot.
Overall, I would recommend a visit to this museum, if your in the area. Its right in the centre of town, and a generally enjoyable mixture of art and history.

Stockholm on Thursday!!!

Seems like its been ages since I signed up for the trip, and it seems like ages since I've been anywhere other than Turku/Helsinki. But its finally here! On thursday we will be getting the overnight ferry to Stockholm (so after a full day at work :/) which gives us an early arrival on friday (6am!) and then a full day saturday (where we'll be going to a local christmas market) before getting the overnight ferry back again. So three nights, but only 2 days. Means I get all day sunday to recover,

I'm so excited!!!