Viking Line II: Even More Pillaging:

My time in Finland drawing to a close, I meandered through downtown Helsinki and eventually to the harbor, where my Viking Like chariot awaited me yet again. I boarded with my roommates, we admired the "view" out our "window," and we made our way to the duty free shop in order to kill the two hours before dinner. More Karhu was purchased, and we spent the pre-buffet hours shooting the breeze and putting a dent in the bears.

I also took the opportunity to go up top while it was still light out, and I was treated to a nice view of the Helsinki skyline (from the ship you are literally looking down at most of the buildings) and the harbor islands as we set off. The ship again took a ridiculous route through the harbor, and I'm pretty sure the captain was just showing off, as we passed within fifteen feet of the old fort that marks the entrance to Helsinki's waterfront.

At dinner, we all helped ourselves to more complimentary food and drink, and people were generally more responsible in their portions of both. Longevity was the name of the game for the night. After dinner we retreated to our cabins for a while, before we were booted from the hallway for being too loud. We again went up on deck, where unlike the first trip, it was absolutely freezing and there were gale-force winds. Regardless, we hunkered down wherever we could, or just leaned into the wind, and did all those things one would expect from a bunch of inebriated Americans on a ship in the middle of the Baltic.

Later, we went to the club and casino, where many moves were busted. There were no young Russians to challenge this time, but because it was a Friday night, the club was that much more energetic. There was an awesome (at least they seemed that way at the time) cover band, and we sang along with reckless abandon. I don't know if I've ever busted a move quite as hard as I did that night. We danced, we sang, we gambled -- briefly -- and everyone retired in the wee hours of the morning.

The next morning I woke up early and immediately went to the top deck, where I took in a sunrise over the Swedish coastline and enjoyed the crisp morning air. I realized we were in a long line of ships making the run to Stockholm, and I thought how odd it must be for the inhabitants of these remote Swedish coastal homes to look out each morning and see these hulking ships pass by. I suppose they get used to it.

Back downstairs, I had another hearty breakfast, packed up, and went up top with a few friends to take in Stockholm from the boat. It was a while before we were granted permission to disembark, as apparently there had been an incident on board the previous night. The boat was met by several police cars, and we watched a group of officers board the ship to settle everything before we were allowed off.

Despite the wait, I came to the conclusion that overnight ferries are the only way to travel. It's a pity that there aren't more places easily reached by water in the US, as it would be great fun to board a ship somewhere, spend the night eating, drinking, and dancing, and wake up the next morning in a new place. While many of the Scandinavians merely get on the boat to get drunk and pass a few hours in a new place the next day before reboarding and doing it all over again, I think it would be really great to incorporate ferry rides into a longer trip, as we did. While I don't think sea travel is much of an option in the states (although trips up and down the coasts could be cool), I think a cross-country party train could be awesome. For the record, in writing that down, I hold the unofficial patent on the idea. What could be better than boarding a high speed train on the coast, taking in a night of debauchery, and stepping off in some new far-flung city the next morning? I'm gonna make it happen.

After about an hour's wait, we were finally given permission to disembark, and we got back on the bus for our last day. We had a long day of driving in front of us, but first, a quick stop at Centralbadet Stockholm, the Stockholm public baths. It was a shame that the delay on the boat cut into our time there, because I could have been happy killing a full day. The building housed a central swimming pool in this ornate Art Nouveau room, with cabanas, massage rooms, and tanning beds on the sides. There were also a couple of hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, and nearly anything else one might want to relax. We only had about 45 minutes inside, and we did a quick circuit from the locker rooms to the pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room. The bath even had a restaurant and bar, and I could imagine no better activity for a weekend morning than sitting around in a bathrobe, sipping a fruit smoothie, and taking advantage of the various pools and amenities. When I return to Stockholm, I'll be going back.

Too soon after arriving, we all had to leave, and we got back on the bus damp but refreshed. We settled in for the eight hour drive to Copenhagen, and minus lunch at a castle in the middle of nowhere (where does DIS find these things?) and a pit stop at a rest area, we slept and watched movies all the way there. So concluded a packed week in Sweden and Finland, and my best time since being abroad.