Waiting for the Ferry to Suomenlinna, Helsinki July 20, 2008 by Ella Derbyshire

Nikon D80's

When you want to get to Suomenlinna or when you wish to tour the islands south of Helsinki, you can take a ferryboat from this area of town. There is so much going on around the docks and the market that it is easy to pass half an hour waiting for the next boat to depart. The trick is to avoid the distractions that can push your departure back another, and then another half hour. Such are the hazards of a vacation in Helsinki.

The left side of this panorama has the market area with vendors selling food and beverages. There are long lines at the crepe makers and at the ice cream stand. Other booths further to the right featured local crafts, Lappi crafts such as carved wooden bowls and cups, and they had folks selling leather goods. I even passed by some gentlemen selling reindeer furs and hides. I noticed that the reindeer hides were smaller and much softer than the caribou furs of northern Alaska. The market was a good place to wander and to observe the shoppers and the vendors at work.

Further to the right are docks and vessels. There were all kinds of boats around the docks. Little private water craft share this area with some rather impressive cruise ships and ferries. The passage between the docks seemed a bit tight for some of the ferry boats, but they went slowly through, and they all sailed on south without mishap.

The 22 frames of this panorama were captured with a Nikon D80 and stitched with Autopano Pro.

Please enjoy the view.