Dear Friends,
Sorry for the delay! Since you have been following our itinerary, you know that we got off the ship last Sunday, Aug. 23. We have been spending the week in London. I thought I would have all these done by now. Oh well, having too good a time here in London. But not to worry, I will finish the trip for you!!!!
Vaasa (Swedish: Vasa) is a city on the west coast of Finland. It received its charter in 1606, during the reign of Charles IX of Sweden and is named after the Royal House of Vasa. Vaasa was an important place of governance when Finland was part of Sweden. It started in the 14th Century when Korsholm castle was built near the village of Mustasaari. Thanks to the sea connections, ship building and trade, especially tar trade, Vaasa flourished in the 17th Century and most of the inhabitants earned their living from it. During the Finnish War, fought between Sweden and Russia in 1808-1809, Vaasa suffered more than any other city. Ironically, the war ended with the Treaty of Fredrikshamn (September 17, 1809) - Vaasa became a part of the new Grand Duchy of Finland in the Russian Empire. In 1852, a disastrous fire claimed nearly the entire wooden town, so residents had to rebuild. The ruins of the church (belfry), school, and town hall tuin were left in tribute, but the new Vaasa was moved a few miles away. In its new location Vaasa became an important sea-faring city. It had been renamed Nikolainkaupunki in honor or the Russian Czar Nikolai I. When Finland proclaimed its independence in 1917 the name of the town was again reverted to Vaasa.
As you can see from the few photos, it was a very cloudy, cold, rainy day. It was sad since this was a "maiden call" for the Prinsendam to Vaasa. In nice weather, there would have been probably a band and other welcome ceremonies. Due to bad weather, there was nothing. After we docked, we had intended to go ashore and walk around. By the time we went to get off the ship, it was pouring rain. So, we took a pass and stayed on the ship. Many of our friends, including Wrenne and her sister, did go ashore and walk around. They said it was a nice place, worth coming back to on a better day. However, it was also Sunday so everything was closed.
Interesting note: the engines used on almost all Holland America ships are made here in Vaasa.
Jan and Dick
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