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13 Aug 2015
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Getting on the road about 10 we continued south. We had thought to camp on the coast, but there were not really any nice places and we decided that if we wanted to make Helsinki the next day it would be 488 Km. This would not leave us much time to try to organize the bike fork repair. We decided to go another 160 KM to Seinajoki for a total of 582 km today.
Screen Shot 2015-08-08 at 7.28.58 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
There was a great camp spot here, with lush grass and a river running thru the site. The lounge and kitchen was very nice. They had decent Internet also and we found a repair shop 178 KM away in Tampere. We figured we could stop here since it was on the way to see if they could repair the fork. If not we had BMW Helsinki as a back up.
DSC03036 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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13 Aug 2015
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The nice campground in Seinajoki has a sister in Helsinki and so we headed there. The place was packed mostly since it has a great location on the water and right at a Metro station. There were about 8 other bikers here too. We also met Paul and Sarah who are friends of friend in Seattle!
DSC03042 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03041 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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16 Aug 2015
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Helsinki
The rain, thunder, and lightning started at 4 am and it was truly unbelievable. That said we had no sleep because of the noise until after 7. We rolled out of the tent at 11. The Metro ride to the city is about 20 minutes to the Central train station. Here we could arrange a VISA FREE trip to Russia to see St Petersburg. Conveniently the boat was leaving the next day. We had decided that the hassle and expense of the visa for a 5-6 day trip was not worth it. The overnight ferry ride return was about the same price as the Visa fee. We did a bit of a walking tour of the downtown and then headed back to the campsite.
DSC03426 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03427 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03046 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03430 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03435 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03049 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03431 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03436 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03438 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03434 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03045 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03415 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Last edited by saralou; 16 Aug 2015 at 22:13.
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16 Aug 2015
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The ship did not leave until 6 pm so we had a lazy day and got the laundry done. The campground has a vehicle storage area that we could leave the bikes for the 4 days at 16 E per day. Not cheap, but at least they are secure.
DSC03416 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
DSC03418 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We took the tram to the harbor and checked in at the St. Peter’s line. You have to go thru Finish passport control and we got an exit stamp. The ferry is a bit of a mini cruise with casino and discos and the like, but we had a drink on the sky deck, some dinner we had brought on board, and were in bed by 930.
DSC03055 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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16 Aug 2015
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We had arranged a driver and guide for a city tour. Maria was awesome and very knowledgeable. She was of an age that she remembers a lot of the events that have shaped this country in the last 50 years.
st petersburg 32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We took in most of the major sites in the downtown area. Including the Egyptian sphinxes, the Winter Palace, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Catherine palace, the Nicholas statue, St. Isaacs Cathedral.
st petersburg 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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16 Aug 2015
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16 Aug 2015
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16 Aug 2015
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The bronze horseman is the monument to the founder of St. Petersburg, Peter the Great. It stands in Senatskaia Square facing the Neva River.
st petersburg 47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
For our second day we spent the morning in the museum of the winter palace with thousands of others.
st petersburg 53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 52 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 57 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
st petersburg 56 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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20 Aug 2015
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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