Blogs from Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, Europe - page 33

Hi Have just spotted that the tourist centre here as free internet so I thought id put in my fist entry from Finland, although the comp doesnt have USB so will have to add photos another time. Flight and transfer were fine, apart from having my name called out across the whole of stansted airport. I thought 8.55 ment boarding not take off. Woops! Other than that my ability to carry my pack was tested by a 45 min walk around Helsinki looking for a hostel, which I have now settled into. Spent the rest of the afternoon walking round the harbour market and trying Finish snack food (most of which seems to consist of salted fish and rye bread) Today I had to sort a new battery for my camera but after that I visted ... read more

bonrino everybody! Andy and I went on a city tour yesterday and learned a ton of facts about Finland, including: 1. Helsinki has a population of 500 000 people. 2. 1/10th of Finland lives in Helsinki. 3. There are 200 000 lakes in Finland. 4. "If you can't get it at Stockmanns, YOU DON'T NEED IT" (Stockmanns is a huuuuuuge department store) 5. Kids go to school from ages 7-16. A hot meal is included everyday. 6. There are 20 universities in Finland. 7. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish. Kids have to learn both languages in school, but most also speak English, German and some speak Russian as well. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8. The bear is Finland's national bear (hahahhahahahahhahahah) ANIMAL, JEEEZ. 9. Apparently, Finnish people drink the most coffee of anyone in the world. 10. ... read more

today we woke up and thought "holy CRAP we're in Helsinki!!!!!!" we got in at about 5pm yesterday, we took the bus to the city (because the airport is actually in Vantaa we learned) and then walked until we found our hotel. we were so tired since we hadn't slept for about 30 or so hours. the hotel is small and cute (expect to see the word "cute" alot because it's the only adjective that i know!). it's basically 2 twin beds and a shower. that's cool with us. we went for supper (pizza! how foreign!) and then went to bed...some of us for 12 hours! today we have been wandering around and actually got lost for a little while which surprised us since we're both pretty good at reading maps and generally have a good ... read more

Arrived into Helsinki at 10am and walked for miles to check into Eurohostel (or EuroHospital as Thomas called it, for its remarking resemblance to an institution for the mentally unstable!) as the Silja line ferry terminal is on the wrong side of the harbour for the hostel. Bags are getting heavier by the day! Went out to Suomenlinna, an old Fortress built on islands off Helsinki, built to be impregnable but was handed over to the Russians without a fight. Wandered around the city (as Turku was the capital for most of hundreds of years, there aren't that many historical buildings in Helsinki) and made it out to the Olympic Stadium of 1952. Had to leg it to the ferry terminal (the OTHER one, which was 2km away!) to make our ferry to Tallinn. Barely made ... read more

Weeee! I'm in a winter wonder land! Helsinki, to be exact, and it is so cool here. Literally, like it's 100 degrees cooler than Bangkok (Fahrenheit scale). I love it. In Celcius it's somewhere between -4 and 3 but it doesn't really feel that cold. I spent most of yesterday settling in and orienting myself. I'm staying with my friend Vesa (which means sapling in Finnish) in Itäkeskus -- which I can now pronounce! Like a pro! More later when I get to a real internet cafe. Right now I am at the public library. I created an account here yesterday and now I am a card carrying member of the Helsinki metropolitan (sp) public libraries. ... read more