I Am Not Finish With You, Yet
 

At eight fifteen in the evening I am on the cold and windy sundeck of the Amorella as the lights of Stockholm slowly fades in the distance.

On a moonless night I am making a ten hour journey across the Baltic Sea to Turku, Finland. For about $70 US dollars, this time of the year I have a cabin all to myself onboard a Viking Line cruise ship.

The Amorella turns out to be more fun than expected with a line up of entertainment from karaoke, to live bands, and casino slots. Sleep comes at a premium and the ten hours pass too quickly.

Within a few hours of arriving in Turku I am in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. A light cold rain is falling as I leave the central bus station but I have an immediate love for this cosmopolitan city that is so alive and vibrant.

Trams and traffic are moving in every direction around me yet their sounds are lost on me as I admire unique structures and awesome buildings like Senate Square Cathedral.

About a twenty minute walk from the city center I arrive at my accommodation for the night and what a surprise. With Hellsten Hotel And Apartments I have booked a single room for the night but at check in I am upgraded to an apartment that is so large “I can play baseball in it”. My bathroom even has a sauna in it. Nice.

This time of the year darkness comes early and the light rain is still falling as I set out to explore some of Helsinki by night. My journey takes me to an unknown part of Finland's history for me.

For 5 Euros, I am freezing as I am standing about 200 feet above the city with the wind howling across the open observation deck of the Olympic Stadium Tower. Yes, Finland hosted the Olympics in 1952.


Video:http://youtu.be/CCQIuO1ZZ3c

I like your writing style.

Loving your report. I hate being cold, but look forward to more of your trip.

Thank you - looking forward to more. [I did that voyage - with a Eurail Pass on the Silja Line if I recall - over 30 years ago, in April - leaving Stockholm at night and next day weaving through the ice floes and little islands on the way across the Baltic to Turku - magic, but bloody cold out on deck. And in Helsinki the harbour was frozen over.]

sparkchaser, Sassafrass, Thanks :)

Only got to spend a day and a half in Helsinki but tried to make the most of it.

farrermog,

Wow, that is amazing! I still see Silja Line around and did the same trip (Stockholm-Turku) but on Viking Line.

I am told you really do not want to be here in Jan/Feb unless you really like the cold, ice fishing or ice skating around the harbor... brrrrrrrrr!

Around Helsinki And Suomenlinna

My second day in Finland starts in church but will end like my first day here, on a boat. This morning I get to experience the inside of Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral and it is just as magnificent as the outside. A few moments of being awed and I descend a small hill to Market Square.

As if sensing my temporary confusion, a gentleman approaches. In less than five minutes we are sitting together on a ferry and he is drawing me pictures as we sail away to Suomenlinna.

By the time our journey is over I have a better understanding of Finland, Suomenlinna and I now know what that “strange” Finnish fish pastry is, “Kala .. Kukko”.

On Suomenlinna a historical maritime fortress, I initially follow the blue route with a planned detour suggested by my fellow ferry passenger who was so kind to give me some island tips.

This island which is one of eight is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds an important part of Finland's history. There is a small amount of inhabitants here year round but this place really becomes popular during the summer months.

Except for an occasional almost freezing wind near portions of elevated coastline it is beautiful and exciting to enjoy this island. The views it gives from the ocean to the mainland are amazing.

At one point I can look across the open seas and see the white towers of Senate Square Church radiating in the distance.

Canons from years gone by still stand guard over the sea routes to the mainland but thankfully their glory days are long over. Although signs of Finland war history remains it is nice to be able to relish the tranquility this island now offers.

As I leave Suomenlinna after a few hours of climbing hills and navigating tunnels, I can see how it is so easy to spend a whole summer day here.

Back after my 2 Euro fifteen minute ferry ride, I briefly browse the street vendors ending their day at Market Square. With souvenir magnets at 5 Euros, I do not see any real bargains here and move on. Amazingly, a block away in a store I find better souvenir deals like three magnets for 12 Euros.

In a few hours I will leave Finland but there is one more site that I am interested in seeing. About a 20 minute walk away I find a few moments to relax as inspirational music fills the otherwise still air.

Sitting inside of Temppeliaukio, a church carved out of rocks with mostly natural lighting, I reflect on how fortunate I am to see another part of the world and to experience another culture from its people to its food and its religion. My hope is always that more will get to do the same.

Estonia, here I come.

Video:http://youtu.be/cMGEgRANuD4