Helsinki Day

Helsinki is a beautiful city and every time you can find new aspects or see something that has not been there before. Keep your eyes open.

Arrival using public transport, leaving possibility to enjoy more the second drink if you feel like it.

We had a sporty entry to the city with a sports event.

 Sports can also exhaust people - can you spot one?

Let's zoom a bit...

Shopping is naturally part of the city day and it can also be a visual experience.

At Helsinki Market Square, Kauppatori, you can find also great packaging or what do you think about these packages?

Don't be scared if it is crowded. There are not many pick pockets, while it is still possible. Overall Helsinki is a safe city!

Remember to have breaks so you don't get exhausted. Good option is the Old Market Hall, Vanha Kauppahalli, and the Finnish local specialty Lonkero. 

Next door the bistro boat Nikolai was serving salmon soup as well as salty and sweet waffles. The salty ones were great, served with a view.

They are open only for 2 weeks for this year so go there. To secure you know how to behave in their toilet, please read the instructions in English.  

I wondered a bit why there was neck-to-neck a war game advertising and blood donation service...

Comedy festival was also in the city with the funny basketball player Sami Hedberg.

If you for some reason need to work in the city, did you know that you can have access to an office with these views with a price of a nice wine bottle?

Keep your eyes open when walking around.

This one I don't get. Why...?

You might also spot interesting boats like the Delta.

Or Lucky Eight which some hockey fans recognize.

Make sure you see the city also from the sea, several options are available no matter what your budget is, you get access with the price of a bus ticket - or if you are lucky with some other means.

Check out also the Hernesaari terraces, shuttle bus goes from the city centre. Next summer.
...they closed yesterday for this year :o(

Make sure that you return to Espoo, Haukilahden Paviljonki is a great option to cool down. They have great burgers, yesterday's snack was a bit unusual as they don't regularly have sushi.

Enjoy life, have a cool one...!

Hyvää Juhannusta - Have a great Midsummer!

It's again the time of the year when particularly Finns and Swedes enjoy the supposed-to-be-summer-festive (it should be summer, seldom is...) of Midsummer, Juhannus. Most of people who have the chance head up towards countryside, a summer cottage at a lakeside or seaside.

Traffic jams (big in Finland scale, only queues in European scale), cold, crowded summer housed, wet, cold swimming, lousy cooking conditions, no shower, no electricity, wet fireplace, small beds if any...

Despite of all that, it is sooooo loveable! Beautiful Finnish countryside, out of your daily routines, outdoor cooking, wooden heated sauna, swim in a lake, talks, games, reading, BBQ, fresh air, bonfires, white nights, good company = summer at countryside - mökki life!

Stay smart particularly when you go swimming, last year at Midsummer only 1 person drowned in Finland, biggest count in the past years being from 1999: 20 people drowned!!! For the ones interested in stats, check it out from here.

Helsinki became a ghost city today at Midsummer eve at noon when all the shops and market place closed. Many restaurants and cafe's are closed, while many remain open to treat the urban Midsummer people as well as the tourists that stop by with the cruise ships.

What beats me is why can't we still let the shop keepers to decide themselves when their business would profit to keep the shop open. We have soooo many rules and limitations also with this and I can tell you the unions are doing their best to keep their position strong. Well, I'd say the unions have been fighting a battle to survive as the world around them has changed while they still try to continue as they have for decades.

In addition to my previous Midsummer posts, I'd like to share with you an article "Enjoying Midsummer the Finnish way" by thisisFinland, (also on Facebook) a news forum produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Have a great Midsummer 

- 

Loistavaa Juhannusta!

Thank You 2014 - Welcome 2015!

 The year in pictures and minimum words. Let's leave some space for your imagination! I kind of feel sorry for the ones who have not had the chance to be part of the trip. At least majority of you - I bet you recognize yourselves ;o)

Where did it all start from?

 From something unclear can be made something great!

 C'mon Baby Light My Fire!

 Let's check what's around and go for it!

 We gotta work for it - in the right places!

Let's enjoy the trip and have some fun!

 Enjoy the view and of course the company when ever possible!

 Remember to recharge the batteries - fill up the tanks!

 Celebrate the success and milestones!

 Challenge yourself!

 Enjoy the moment!

When you fill up the tanks, you can enjoy the ride!

And then work again, stop to think for a moment when needed!

 You can do it!

 It's not that high mountain to climb!

 You'll have friends to work with you if you are a team player!

 Know your hoods!

Take the moment!

Show your colors, commit to the team and the cause, everything is there for us to take! 

Welcome 2015, I'm looking forward to the trip with you!!!

Happy New Year - Hyvää Uutta Vuotta 2015!