As the cold wind bites harshly on my face, I turned up the collars on my coat to avoid any more of this autumnal beating.
Turning to my left, I see sailors enjoying a brief period of shore leave before they brave the cold Baltic seas on their return journey. To my right a plethora of market stalls adorn the harbors port side. Old ladies knitting woolen scarves and hats, the temptation of a Reindeer burger tempts my taste pallet and various souvenir stalls hold the gaze of my attention before sense smacks me coldly around the face.
This is Helsinki on a Sunday morning.
Arriving in Helsinki the first thing I see is the familiar Swedish language adorning the signposts around me. Tales of what to expect from the Finnish people I had spoken to seem to be a distant memory. Certainly there is no snow, and the temperature is as warm, if not warmer, than the neighboring Sweden.
A short thirty-minute bus ride from the airport to the center of Helsinki, costing only 4 Euros was far from pleasant. The bus driver must have been a stunt drier in a former life. I counted two jumped red lights and hard breaking was consistent. But we seemed to arrive in excellent spirits.
Getting off the coach, I found that the center offered free WIFI. Which was lovely as the decisions to use Google Maps and walk, rather take a taxi, seemed pleasant enough. The weather was balmy, and the streets seemed immaculately clean.
After about a ten-minute walk, I realised that our hotel was in a great location. Close enough to the canter to walk, yet hidden away enough not be driven made by the hustle and bustle of a capital center.
The hotel was a refurbished 19th century prison, and it was different to spend the holiday in a former prison cell that once housed some of Finland’s most notorious criminals. Thankfully the rooms have certainly been upgraded since then and with HDTV, incredible shower and a comfortable bed, this was far removed from prison life as could be.
The first day was spent, as most tourists do, walking around gargantuan buildings taking pictures to prove they were there. Most of the buildings seemed to be of a religious order with museums also adorning the central area. We also wandered around the port, the large Scandinavian sea liners would be arriving and departing. The balance of old sea vessels and new was a timely reminder of the history of this amazing city.
For those of you who love shopping Helsinki is a haven. Though there were many of the same stores that we have here in Sweden, it seemed that the streets and shopping malls were never ending. From the large Stockman’s department store to the, small independent stores, it seemed that there was a place for all in Helsinki. The perfect balance for the modern shopper.
I found a lovely little bar called “The Poseidon” tucked away in a small street not far from where we were staying.
Walking into the bar was like stepping back in time. From the old Finnish men swapping tales over beer, to the hundred-year-old furniture, the pub was a tremendous throw back to a bygone era.
Live music, free Wi-Fi and a superb Tapas was the best way to unwind after a long days walk through the cobbled streets of the center. However, I was suddenly brought much closer to home when I heard an English man complain about how peanuts were “A lot cheaper back home”. Suddenly the TV show “An idiot abroad” sprang to mind.
Though I have been to Helsinki four times, this is the first time I had gotten to see any part of its culture and history. It’s a beautiful city, clean, modern, cultured, and above all friendly.
Finland maybe seen as the quiet nation of Scandinavia, but in the heart of it all, lies one of the best cities on earth.
Thank you Helsinki and I will see you soon.
