Finns in Finlandia cannot handle a hot Summer
Jul 24th, 2018, 07:56 AM
#21
fourfortravel, the trip was not really depressing.
We saw marvelous nature, a one of a kind church, the rock church and listened to a pianist play there, we observed two cultures which were totally new to us.
We totally enjoyed each other's company during our 4oth wedding anniversary. We laughed at our mishaps which cost us some money, but those things can happen anywhere.
Here are some nature photographs with absolutely no touching or photoshop :
We saw marvelous nature, a one of a kind church, the rock church and listened to a pianist play there, we observed two cultures which were totally new to us.
We totally enjoyed each other's company during our 4oth wedding anniversary. We laughed at our mishaps which cost us some money, but those things can happen anywhere.
Here are some nature photographs with absolutely no touching or photoshop :
Jul 25th, 2018, 04:37 AM
#22
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I've noticed, too, what a difference the weather makes in how much I enjoy a place (and how much I'm able to do). Very much enjoyed the summary, now hoping for details.
Seems that Europe is getting hotter summers with every year although it is variable. I remember 5 years ago being very chilly in Paris and Normandy at the beginning of a mid-June trip and then hot in Paris at the end.
Hotels that were not designed for warm climates & don't have air conditioning are miserable when temperatures climb.
Seems that Europe is getting hotter summers with every year although it is variable. I remember 5 years ago being very chilly in Paris and Normandy at the beginning of a mid-June trip and then hot in Paris at the end.
Hotels that were not designed for warm climates & don't have air conditioning are miserable when temperatures climb.
Jul 25th, 2018, 08:59 AM
#23
CLB - this is the first hot summer I can remember in Cornwall for about 10 years, and certainly the longest continuous hot spell for many years, probably back to '76. I agree that it is very variable, but I think what we can see is a general trend for hot temps to be hotter and cold temps to be colder.
Jul 26th, 2018, 07:47 AM
#24
Arriving back at Helsingi and leaving the ferry among the heavy loads of booze carrying Finns, we even offered a ride to a Turkish couple we met as we were leaving our seats. They said their hotel was near the train station and not that far, so would walk. They must have been farseers, or their rejection was due to the Viking god of mischief who had planned to give us some more trouble because of the posts I would eventually write.
We found our car with no trouble, intact but with a piece of paper stuck at the windshield. Immediately I discarded the hope that it was an invitation to an erotic escapade as was our experience in Las Vegas some years ago. It was a parking fine for 60 Euros and did not provide free entry to any museums.
I figured we would have to pay the car rental agency and put the thought away, concentrating on my co-pilot's instructions, driving on the mostly empty streets, commenting that Trump and Putin must have scared everyone away from the outskirts of Helsinki or gathered them (forcefully) in central Helsinki. Little did we know!!!!!!
Five minutes of driving on almost empty streets, I saw a batch of red lights on a road ahead, wondering where they were going. Before I could tell Eser, her evil google directed me to line up behind the unmoving red lights which turned out to be stops of two lane of cars stretching to a curve about a quarter mile in the distance.
We were the last car after a set of traffic lights with new arrivals waiting back so as not to block the intersection. But a car or two somehow managed to leave th queue a few hundred yards ahead and we moved forward resulting in two cars blocking my rear escape route. We waited what seemed like thirty minutes or so at 9:30 PM on a route that lead to a parkway in abandoned Helsinki, Then, I decided to take the matter into my own hands, managed to make a u-turn over the tram tracks, managing to avoid various concrete hurdles the authorities had placed to block my way.
We found our car with no trouble, intact but with a piece of paper stuck at the windshield. Immediately I discarded the hope that it was an invitation to an erotic escapade as was our experience in Las Vegas some years ago. It was a parking fine for 60 Euros and did not provide free entry to any museums.
I figured we would have to pay the car rental agency and put the thought away, concentrating on my co-pilot's instructions, driving on the mostly empty streets, commenting that Trump and Putin must have scared everyone away from the outskirts of Helsinki or gathered them (forcefully) in central Helsinki. Little did we know!!!!!!
Five minutes of driving on almost empty streets, I saw a batch of red lights on a road ahead, wondering where they were going. Before I could tell Eser, her evil google directed me to line up behind the unmoving red lights which turned out to be stops of two lane of cars stretching to a curve about a quarter mile in the distance.
We were the last car after a set of traffic lights with new arrivals waiting back so as not to block the intersection. But a car or two somehow managed to leave th queue a few hundred yards ahead and we moved forward resulting in two cars blocking my rear escape route. We waited what seemed like thirty minutes or so at 9:30 PM on a route that lead to a parkway in abandoned Helsinki, Then, I decided to take the matter into my own hands, managed to make a u-turn over the tram tracks, managing to avoid various concrete hurdles the authorities had placed to block my way.
Jul 27th, 2018, 08:27 AM
#26
Thanks annhig, I am using all the tricks of the trade to draw more readers and may even be rewarded by some who give up their lurking profession.
Which reminds me to thank CLBtravel.
Here's a reward from me to my trusted followers
img]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1124-1/img_0685_e917ab947a320a77c4f824053c316a045897373a. jpg[/img]
Which reminds me to thank CLBtravel.
Here's a reward from me to my trusted followers
img]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1124-1/img_0685_e917ab947a320a77c4f824053c316a045897373a. jpg[/img]
Jul 27th, 2018, 02:19 PM
#28
raincitygirl.....on our first visit to Copenhagen we passed a drunk lying on the sidewalk. My husband said:
even the bums are beautiful.
OC...Hope you don't give up on Scandinavia....Denmark and Sweden are MUCH more fun.
(Almost as much fun as Turkey... which I loved.)
even the bums are beautiful.
OC...Hope you don't give up on Scandinavia....Denmark and Sweden are MUCH more fun.
(Almost as much fun as Turkey... which I loved.)
Jul 27th, 2018, 08:33 PM
#30
Gwendolynn and raincitygirl, You are right. I was in Copenhagen in 1974 as a young man on the prowl, four years before I married, and again in 1983, also alone on business. I cannot remark on the men but the girls were definitely noticed. In Summer 1967, during a French language course in Grenoble, France, I had a very young Swedish girl friend. Four years ago she found me on the web and now we communicate through Eser's FB and Google plus.
Jul 29th, 2018, 12:33 PM
#31
We checked the infamous google again, after driving half a mile or so in the reverse direction and realized it was obstinately leading us back to the traffic jam. So, I started taking vatious streets which looked promising as possible routes out of town but was sabotaged by all the water surrounding Helsinki and with most of it without any bridges.
We were famished by that time and I had to find a place open at 10:30 (still light) before Eser's cannibalistic archetypical instincts kicked in. The area we were driving had no restaurants or cafes that we could see and then suddenly an oasis appeared in the horizon: A MacDonalds, in all its glory. Double quarter pounder meals it was for both of us.
By the time we were finished, Trump and Putin protecting police who had missed out on all the traffic rule breakers had started going home, some stopping at Mac Donalds as evidence of the roads opening. Google worked fine now and although it sent us to the same street, this time around, there was barely any traffic on it. We were in our room in ten minutes.
Next Porvoo.
We were famished by that time and I had to find a place open at 10:30 (still light) before Eser's cannibalistic archetypical instincts kicked in. The area we were driving had no restaurants or cafes that we could see and then suddenly an oasis appeared in the horizon: A MacDonalds, in all its glory. Double quarter pounder meals it was for both of us.
By the time we were finished, Trump and Putin protecting police who had missed out on all the traffic rule breakers had started going home, some stopping at Mac Donalds as evidence of the roads opening. Google worked fine now and although it sent us to the same street, this time around, there was barely any traffic on it. We were in our room in ten minutes.
Next Porvoo.
Aug 3rd, 2018, 12:25 AM
#33
This thread seems to have run its course/ So I will continue with embellishments and photos on my blog.
Here's a summary of last two days :
- The first hotel, sent a mail through Booking.com that they would refund.
- Porvoo was not very exciting and may have been left out especially because of the roadworks on the route which made it rather long. I think we would prefer Loja to Porvoo.
- Came back to hotel and ate an indifferent dinner , so that Eser could swim some more and I could rest.
- Tried to catch the sunset through the trees and over a lake or sea, but were too early and could not just hang around some fabulous private homes in the Espo area.
- The area between the Hilton and the Radisson is more scenic than Porvoo and even the Nuuksio Park.
The final day was another 90 minute drive to Nuuksio Nature Park. We made some stops on the way. The drive was pleasant and very scenic after branching from the Turku motorway.
We could not do even the two kilometer hike because of the heat, but did almost as much by doing the first few hundred meters of each path.
We paid $30 each to partake of the miserable food and drinks but comfortable seats at the Premium lounge at the airport. This turne to be a great idea because our flight was delayed over two hours because of storm over Istanbul.
There were mishaps that we could laugh off.
There was more than we expected in terms of sights and drives.
Staying at the Radisson at Espo was a great decision.
Including Tallinn gave us an introduction to another totally different culture.
We will never forget the Rock Church and its pianist.
We think that the five nights and almost six days we did was worth it.
Although 400 Euros above budget the total cost Euro 2,400, including Istanbul - Helsinki full economy return tickets, was reasonable.
If we had stayed at first hotel and taken the Toyota Auris instead of the Range Rover, we would have been spot on budget.
For travelers from far East, Down Under and the Americas, it may be a better idea to add some more stays to such a trip, like St. Petersburg, Riga and similar, to justify the long and more costly flights.
Here's a summary of last two days :
- The first hotel, sent a mail through Booking.com that they would refund.
- Porvoo was not very exciting and may have been left out especially because of the roadworks on the route which made it rather long. I think we would prefer Loja to Porvoo.
- Came back to hotel and ate an indifferent dinner , so that Eser could swim some more and I could rest.
- Tried to catch the sunset through the trees and over a lake or sea, but were too early and could not just hang around some fabulous private homes in the Espo area.
- The area between the Hilton and the Radisson is more scenic than Porvoo and even the Nuuksio Park.
The final day was another 90 minute drive to Nuuksio Nature Park. We made some stops on the way. The drive was pleasant and very scenic after branching from the Turku motorway.
We could not do even the two kilometer hike because of the heat, but did almost as much by doing the first few hundred meters of each path.
We paid $30 each to partake of the miserable food and drinks but comfortable seats at the Premium lounge at the airport. This turne to be a great idea because our flight was delayed over two hours because of storm over Istanbul.
There were mishaps that we could laugh off.
There was more than we expected in terms of sights and drives.
Staying at the Radisson at Espo was a great decision.
Including Tallinn gave us an introduction to another totally different culture.
We will never forget the Rock Church and its pianist.
We think that the five nights and almost six days we did was worth it.
Although 400 Euros above budget the total cost Euro 2,400, including Istanbul - Helsinki full economy return tickets, was reasonable.
If we had stayed at first hotel and taken the Toyota Auris instead of the Range Rover, we would have been spot on budget.
For travelers from far East, Down Under and the Americas, it may be a better idea to add some more stays to such a trip, like St. Petersburg, Riga and similar, to justify the long and more costly flights.
Last edited by otherchelebi; Aug 3rd, 2018 at 12:28 AM. Reason: addition
Aug 3rd, 2018, 05:09 AM
#34
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Great report otherchelebi! I've never been to Finland and don't know anyone who has, so this was an eye opener!
I have been to Norway (twice - staying in Bergen) and Stockholm and loved both trips. But one was in the fall and the other trip in the spring (both times we had cold weather). The cost to eat out was extremely expensive!
I have been to Norway (twice - staying in Bergen) and Stockholm and loved both trips. But one was in the fall and the other trip in the spring (both times we had cold weather). The cost to eat out was extremely expensive!
Aug 3rd, 2018, 06:04 AM
#35
I have occasionally met some Finnish people but never been there, nor to anywhere in Scandanavia come to that. I kid myself that i would be able to understand [if not speak] Danish and Swedish because of all the scandi-dramas I watch but I know I'd never manage Finnish.
So thanks OC for taking me to somewhere I very much doubt I will ever visit!
So thanks OC for taking me to somewhere I very much doubt I will ever visit!
Aug 19th, 2018, 11:15 AM
#38
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To truly understand Scandinavia, you have to watch the Norwegian comedy drama Hellfjord.
A 75 year Norwegian gent introduces his new girlfriend to the village. A 25 year old stunning blond.
“I’ve got an admission, I bought her on the internet, she used to be a prostitute”
Nobody bats an eyelid.
“She’s Finnish”
Somebody spits their tea out and says “that’s disgusting!”
A 75 year Norwegian gent introduces his new girlfriend to the village. A 25 year old stunning blond.
“I’ve got an admission, I bought her on the internet, she used to be a prostitute”
Nobody bats an eyelid.
“She’s Finnish”
Somebody spits their tea out and says “that’s disgusting!”
