http://i.imgur.com/evRRqsW.jpg

Cruising between Turku in Finland  and Stockholm in Sweden means going through the archipelago. By some estimates, The Finnish archipelago has the largest number of islands in the world although many of them are too small and rocky to be inhabitable. There are 257 islands over 1 kilometre square and 17,700 over half a hectare. If all of the littler patches of dry land are accounted for, there are over 50,000 in total.

http://i.imgur.com/Wehct4z.jpg

Sailing is obviously a popular sport and past time here as when the summer weather is good, it is easy to island hop and have picnics in places no one else may have visited in a long time. On some of these islands there are Viking remains and burial grounds dating back a thousand year or more. Going by on a cruise ship however means not being able to enjoy all of the natural wonders of the islands. 

http://i.imgur.com/ndsCuCo.jpg

I don't actually know if there is a proper name for 'backwards' sunsets but this picture is looking away from the sunset. I like the colours that this brings and often take pictures this way and the one below is taken of the actual sunset. Over the years, I have got to see some very lovely scenery on these cruises, and I have only done a few of these. 

http://i.imgur.com/OoXHfHQ.jpg

If anyone happens to be in either Finland or Sweden on holidays and has a couple days to kill and would like to do something a little different, a cruise can fit the bill. Be warned though, for many, this is a drinking cruise and you are likely to see some less than savoury behaviour. That part of it is not my thing at all which is why I don't do these too often. This time of course was quite different though as we have our baby for the first time. It meant early to bed and no time spent in the nightclubs. 

http://i.imgur.com/F1DnWVO.jpg

She loved it. She watched through the room window squealing with joy at every new thing she saw.

Taraz
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