Three days exploring Helsinki

Monday 17th Jan

This morning I hopped on the Audio Tour Bus, where you can choose to listen to the tour in one of 10 different languages. They really cater for tourists. I am amazed continually at how many languages people from European countries can speak. The tour took just less than 90 min and showed us and explained the different buildings, history, markets and Olympic buildings. It was quite good and gave me the orientation of the city.

I went to the Old Market Hall afterwards. It was beautiful. Lots of little stalls on each side selling every kind of food, lollies, chocolate, fresh fruit and veg, cheeses, cured and fresh meat and fish, plus meals. I loved the aethetics and the atmosphere of the Old Market Hall. After walking up one side and down the other, I sat at the bench of a Japanese stall/café for a lunch of fresh mixed sushi and green tea. Yum!

Behind me was a soup kitchen. I nearly went there, but decided I'd come back another day to eat soup.

I headed off wondering and photographing things I'd seen from the bus. Meandering the streets I came across Fredrikinkatau - a street known for its boutique shops (pointed out during our tour). I enjoyed window-shopping.

Unfortunately my sense of direction escaped me this afternoon and I got lost trying to find the Main Post Office building as level two had a Library. I did eventually find it and hopped on a computer. It only have users 15min on the computer, so not enough time to be updating my blog. That would have to wait until I got home now, unless I find an internet café.

A very relaxed day today.

Tuesday 18th January

Today I headed off to Suomenlinna - Helsinki's historical maritime fortress. The short (15min) ferry ride across to this group of islands joined my bridges, was pretty cool as the top of the sea was chunks of frozen sea water that scrunched and rippled out of the way. There wasn't much to see out the ferry window as it was very foggy today. But ducks greeted us as we arrived on the main island of Suomenlinna.

I walked the icy paths across the islands, feeling like the only tourist. The longer I was there the more people I saw, but it was winter and a very cold place to be. Additionally many of the tourist places, museums and cafés were closed for winter. So my camera and I had lots of fun together. I paused and watched some small agile birds flit amongst some trees. I managed to get a couple of good photos.

I continued on to the King's Gate. The paths became very icy and I nearly quit and headed back. But I continued on and admired the thick wooden door in the fortress wall, held up by amazingly large metal chain. Dark grey clouds were near, so I didn't linger long. Deciding I'd had enough I made my way back to the ferry port to go back to the mainland. I made it just in time, of which I was very thankful, otherwise I'd have to wait another hour for the next ferry.

The ferry trip back was quite nice as the fog had lifted and I could see more clearly the little islands with the houses, huts and jetty's. Amazing.

I visited the Uspenski Church before making my way back to the Old Market Hall for a yummy lunch of seafood soup. Then it was time for some shopping. I would be flying home tomorrow and felt the need to buy a few more souvenirs and some thank you gifts for a couple of people. I enjoyed my afternoon of shopping and finished it with a ride on the 3T tram, which does a loop of the city. During dinner I planned out my day tomorrow. As my plane doesn't leave until 23:40, I had a whole day to fill. I circled some things in the Helsinki tourist booklet, content with having some options that appealed.

Wednesday 19th Jan

Awake earlier than I'd have liked, I dressed without showering and ducked out to MacDonalds for breakfast - it was the only thing open at 8am. I have found that most shops and cafés here are not open before 9 or 10am. It was snowing, again, which was good as it stopped the walkways from being so icy. The weather had been unseasonably warm, reaching 3degrees the other day when it is typically between -5 and -12.

I did an excellent job of packing my backpack, so easily I wondered if I'd missed things. I hadn't though. Thankfully the Hotel staff were kind and allowed me to leave my luggage in their kitchen area for the day. I'd come back after dinner to collect it.

I attempted to find the School Museum, but was unable to. I wasn't worried. I headed to the Old Market Hall for an early lunch before meandering to the Finland Design Museum. With my daypack, coat and camera securely locked in a locker I investigated the design museum. The Finnish design is typically curved and flowing. It was nice to look at the items that have come out of Finland. Many a time, both whilst at the museum and walking past shops in Helsinki, I was reminded of Kath and Toné as many of the furnishings here are their style of furniture. Upstairs was an exhibition celebrating 140yrs of the Art and Design Influence through the University. There was an amazing piece - it was a Silverback gorilla wall hanging on dark wood with the gorilla made of staples. Truly amazing.

On the lower level there was an exhibition on Children's Innovation displaying their thoughts and design ideas for the future. Designers had spent time in a variety of schools (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary) assisting them to design different ways to use spaces around them. It was very interesting to see what they had come up with.

A quick visit to the Library before ending my holiday with a well deserved massage at the Helsinki Day Spa.

The Day Spa was a beautiful place. Inside an old building it was renovated and a truly lovely atmosphere. I was given a robe and slippers that I changed into and locked my wooly warm winter clothes in a locker before resting on a sofa bed. Shortly after I was greeted by the masseuse and went into the calm homey consulting room. The massage was so lovely and I let my mind chatter away whilst I enjoyed and breathed deeply during the massage. This was a beautiful way to finish my travels in Finland.

After my 50min massage I was encouraged to return to the lounge to enjoy some water, nibbles and absorb the restfulness of my massage. So I did. Back on a sofa bed I lounged for another 15min or so, to take advantage of the relaxed atmosphere.

The rest of the evening just slipped away as I returned to collect my backpack from the Hotel, caught the Airport bus, checked in and attempted to get through security. Unfortunately I had to open my little daypack. Inside was a jar of jam that I was bring back for Mum and Geoff. Silly me, forgot it was in there and with the tight security nothing over 100ml of liquid can be taken on board. I find that jam is classified a liquid. Not happy Jan! I returned to the check in desk and checked-in my little daypack with the jam inside. Keeping other fragile souvenirs with my in a plastic shopping bag.

Back through security … Oh No! Really! I had to open my plastic bag! I remembered my cheese slice, but didn't pull it out (no need to let them know it's there if I don't have to - I could be classified as a sharp object). I said I didn't have any liquids and the security asked about crystal. I pulled out my glass souvenirs/gifts. This was what they'd seen as they scanned dark thinking it was liquid. Phew!

Whilst waiting at the boarding lounge I enjoyed people watching and was amazed at how much some people bought at duty-free. Hope there would be enough room in the overhead lockers for my stuff. Before long we boarded, I checked my boarding pass, seat 21H. Awesome! Right behind business class, in an aisle seat with only 3 seats in the middle section and an empty one between me and the guy on the opposite aisle. Awesome!