Helsinki, Finland

Our trip back home took us through this place, and what a great place it is.
It's the first European country where people appear to be happy to speak English, everyone is so friendly and fairly high tech. I had worries about how cold it might be in Helisinki in winter, but we missed any bad weather fortunately and had an awesome time, even though just for one night. Celebrated Andrew's birthday in true style at a very nice club on the main square.

Visited Sveaborg (Fort of Sweden) - Helsinki was once part of Sweden, this was built to defend the country from the Russians.

Back in London

Back in London for 5 nights before making our way home. This is truly an amazing city, I have yet to find an Aussie who doesn't like it. Visited so many places, went out, caught up with my cousin, namesake, second cousins, friend of many years. Went to the London museum, Soho, Camden Markets, Science & Technology Museum, BBC Television Studios just to name a few.

The worst thing about the UK is their coffee - TERRIBLE! the size of them is rediculous too - this is a medium! not a large. Just compare it to the size of my phone.

Edinburgh

A couple of days spent in Edinburgh seeing my uncle and aunty. While there I went around the city, this was my third time here (on 3 separate trips), so it becomes a little more difficult to find touristy things to do.
Here is the Royal Yacht, Britania, serving the Queen for many many years, and retired here at Ocean Terminal.

Paris!

I'm in Paris, and I am struggling to type on this French keyboard so this entry is going to be really short.

Previously I was in Bern between here and Rome.

Glasgow on Thursday!

Bern, Switzerland

Interesting that many people don't know where Bern is. It's the capital of Switzerland! A fair bit smaller than Zurich and not as publicised as Geneva.
Pictured here, the Swiss Alps from the top of a mountain overlooking Bern.

Rome

Now in Rome. Spent the whole day at the Vatican today, St. Peter's is amazing.

Saint Peter's Square.

Off to Bern tomorrow evening on an overnight train.

Venice

A great place to visit, the best part - no cars! Very pretty and very touristy in a lot of places.

Vienna

Now in Vienna, an amazing city with its grand buildings.

Next stop in Venice on an overnight train tomorrow.

Krakow, Poland

Met up with Andrew and his Aunty in Krakow, Poland. It is noticably different from the rest of Europe, but the people are much the same.

It was also much colder, but had a great time.

Ein gutes neues Jahr from Berlin

Happy New Year!

Had new years right in front of the Bradenburg Gate in Berlin.

Arrived here on NYE on a train from Amsterdam.

Looked as if it was going to rain, turning the layer of snow into a horible slush, but it stayed fine.

Today was a pretty quiet day with many things closed but had a look at the museum at Checkpoint Charlie on the site of the Berlin Wall which is very hard to find where it went.

Hope to see more tomorrow.