Last Thoughts on Scandinavia

Here are a few final thoughts on the wonderful Scandinavia region & its peoples:
* Fairly similar cultures across the four nations - Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark
* They love their bikes - great bike riding paths all across Scandinavian cities.
* An absence of visible public toilets - you have to know where to go.
*Love those Swedish meatballs with brown sauce & loganberries - & you can get them nearly everywhere.
*Really good coffee!
*People are mostly open-minded, welcoming, friendly (when you get to talking), quite hip/cool (those under 45 anyway), nature-loving (watch them flee to their summer houses), & generally laid back.
*Really quite loyal to their country.
*There's not much crime here - the countries generally take good care of their citizens.
*Because of the high tax, alcohol is really expensive (think a min of AUD$15 per glass of wine).
*The natural environment is exquisite!

All Aboard for Stockholm

I'd decided to catch a cruise ship over to Stockholm as the train didn't go all the way around & it was a bit of a change from flying. It turned out to be really cost effective too. The travel, including a bed in a 4-berth cabin was only 41 euros - great price!

Having never been on a cruise ship before, it was all a bit of a novelty for me. I met a nice couple, Marie & Michael, just before boarding who suggested I ask for a free sea-sick tablet if I was worried about getting sick. I was worried & I did get one. And the info woman said I was sensible cause the sea was forecast to be very rough overnight.

I chose to go for the all-you-can-eat buffet meal for 35 euros, & I'm glad I did. As much salmon, caviar, prawns, meat, salads, desserts & everything besides that you can get your teeth into. I was absolutely stuffed afterwards.

An then it started...the ship started to sway just a bit. I went & watched a movie at 8pm - Angels & Demons - & by the time it ended, it was getting quite rough at sea. There was a cargo ship about 800m away & you could see the waves breaking right over the top of it. I found out that all smaller ships were prevented from leaving port because of the weather conditions.

I got back to my cabin at about 11pm & two of the three women staying in the cabin were throwing up - one in the bin & one in the loo. It got so rough during the night, being at the bow of the ship, that I'd be bouncing around the bed. So, let's just say I didn't get much sleep that night. But it was an adventure. And now I know I definitely don't have sea legs!

Seurasaaren - Paradise in Helsinki

Elizabeth from the Tourist Centre, my favourite person in Finland, recommended that I spend time at Seurasaaren. It's a little island about 20 mins from the Helsinki centre by bus that has an open air museum that showcases the old way of living in Finland. It cost 6 euros which gives you entry into all the buildings on the island & a free english tour which lasts about an hour. There's an old church as well as a variety of old barns, farmhouses & saunas to view.

And the nature on the island...just gorgeous! Cool fresh air, various types of vibrant green trees, a strong earthy smell, & little squirrels running up to you looking out for a snack. And there weren't too many people about either, most of them locals.

Porvoo!

It took me an hour by bus to get to the second oldest city in Finland, Porvoo, today. The return trip cost just over 20 euros, which I thought was a bit steep. But nearly everything is expensive here in Finland.

In the historical centre of town, there are quaint little shops selling antiques & wares & they're lovely to browse through. The free tourist guide includes a walking map that points out important historical sites. In fact, about 200 years ago, Porvoo was the place to be in Northern Europe. Why, even Alexander I, the Russian Emperor, convened a gathering here - called the Porvoo Diet - when the war between Sweden & Finland was still going strong.

A cute place, it didn't take a long time to take most of it in - I was there 3 hours. The cathedral is lovely, as is a stroll by the lake looking back over the town.

Helsinki is Alive With the Sound of Music

They do like their music here in Helsinki. In the summertime, there's music everywhere - buskers on nearly every street corner, free concerts in the park, trios playing in cafes. You can't get away from it, even if you wanted to, unless you had some moose you planned on visiting in the country.

On the way to the ferry yesterday, I came across a great little group playing classical music on the corner. I stayed & watched them for a good 30 mins, as did many others - they were good.

And, after dinner (these really yummy meatballs from Cafe Engel), I strolled down to the little park in the centre of town to listen to this funky (boy, were they groovy) jazz band called Zum from London. For 90 mins they cranked up the beat with this out there jazz like I've never heard before. A part of the Jazz Espo festival they have going here at the moment. Thanks Helsinki!

Off to Suomenlinna

Yesterday I trotted off on a ferry to the historical maritime fortress, Suomenlinna, about a 15 min trip from Helsinki. Protected as a UNESCO Worl Heritage site, Suomenlinna has been owned by the Russians, Swedes & now the Finns as it holds a strategic position in the Baltic Sea. You can only get about on the island by foot if you're a visitor, which is kind of nice as you walk over cobblestoned streets & small winding paths along the coast. I went on a Monday when the Finns are at work, so it's a bit quieter.

You need at least 2 hours to explore the island - I was there for about 3 hours. The island has a cafes scattered about , a few museums, & lots of old war fortressy relics hanging around everywhere. It's fun cause you get to explore all the nooks & crannies just like a big kid - come to think of it, I was the only adult doing that. Sitting on the cliff face looking out over the sea was incredibly calming & peaceful, & it was a great day for relaxing in the sun.

5th July - Chat with Kay from Delaware

Had a lovely chat with Kay from Delaware today just outside the Helsinki Cathedral. Kay is 93 years old but looks 80. A spritely woman, she's been travelling around with her 4 'boys' & their partners to Russia & Scandinavia befor cruising back to London then on home to the US.
Lovely woman! And it was great to see a woman her age out & about & still taking in all of life. She was amazed I am travelling by myself (interesting how many people are surprised), was curious about why I was doing so, & wished me all the best of travels.
It's small conversations here & there that really uplift you when you're travelling on your own.

First Impressions - The Finns

The Finns are really quite lovely people. Not warm, no, certainly not in an initial meeting. But definitely friendly & helpful.
After observing quite a few Finns over the last 2 days, they are an interesting people. Very orderly, reserved, but when they get to know you, funny, kind & welcoming.
Adolf Hitler would love their physical characteristics - nearly all have fair hair & blue eyes. There aren't many immigrants around, & I get the distinct feeling they are definitely NOT welcomed around here, especially anyone who is truly different. Yes, it would take a long, long time to be acepted in this culture.
Even the 'rebellious' teenagers really aren't that rebellious at all. Their faces still show kindness & they simply cannot be compared to the wildness & aggression shown by the French countryside kids.
No, overall the Finns seem to be decent people. Just a bit scared of all the changes coming through, that's all.

3rd July - Escaping the Heat - Off to Finland

I'd pretty much had enough of Italy & was really looking forward to getting up to Helsinki. The humidity in Italy was stifling & there was no letting up. But I'd heard the Scandinavian countries were going through their own version of a heatwave too, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees - oohhhh!!!
I got a great deal through Scandinavian Airlines - around A$268 for the flight. The plane was filled with Finns all speaking Finnish & I realised that, once again, I'd have to go through the challenge of getting to know the basics of a new language over again.
When departing the plane the temperature was noticably cooler, but the sun was really strong.
I have 6 nights here, where the sun really doesn't set. Time enough to get acquainted with this cute little city.