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Scandinavia and the Baltics
  • Maree Crawford

Scandinavia and the Baltics

A 46-day adventure by Maree Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 12, 2017
    Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Destination
    Whitemark AirportThe cycle route through the Baltics

    Weekend in Launie with Dan

    August 12, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Flew from Flinders Island to Launceston yesterday with Steve. We went and had a lovely couple's massage at Insparations then I put Steve back on the plane as he is heading to New Caledonia again for a hunting trip.
    Then headed to Inkorporated for the last addition of my back tattoo masterpiece done by Jen. Very happy with it.
    After that headed to Poimena and spent the evening with Dan.
    Saturday Dan and I went to Deloraine so he could play with the Hillwood Sharks to defeat the Deloraine Roos 35-53 points 👍🏉
    Friend Jodie was there too so we had a catch up in the warm car- it was wet and cold outside.
    Saturday night- tea with the Bennets . Jane was there too to catch up with me.
    Sunday - easy day having tea with the Underwoods before an early night for tomorrow's early morning    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Bumped into George in the security line!!
    1Changi Airport, SingaporeHooly Dooly!

    41 and a 1/2 hour day

    August 14, 2017 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    41 and a half hours of travelling in front of me. Either in planes or airports. Most of the layovers are about 6 hours long so plenty of time to find my way around unfamiliar airports. I am not looking forward to the 8 hour and 12 hour Singapore airlines flights but it must be done. I wonder whether I was a bit ambitious booking all the way through from Launceston to Helsinki the way that I have all in one hit, oh well suck it up.
    In Launceston I was walking up the line to go through security and someone yells "Hey Maree!" It was brother-in-law George going back home to WA after visiting his mum in Launie. What a lovely surprise!
    Changi (Singapore) airport is a lovely airport, complete with things to do to keep yourself entertained - Butterfly Garden, Sunflower Garden, pool, cinema, lounges to sleep and get a massage etc. I was feeling too tired to do anything other than check out the butterflies. They must have been asleep because I didn't see many, but a pretty garden all the same. Maybe Mum and Dad and I will appreciate it more on the way home.
    As I was waiting for the gate to open to board for Copenhagen I saw Aussie magician sensation Cosentino walk past!!    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Every picture tells a story
    Finally got to my home for 5 nights. Love the Cumulus cloud ceiling 😀Helsinki area has many islands

    Finally to Helsinki

    August 15, 2017 in Denmark ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    I managed to sleep most of the 12 hour plane flight so feeling reasonably human again. I did end up stiff and sore from cramped seat for that long. I was keen to get the compression stickings off too, did the job but firm behind the knee.
    Well, I have to admit, at times when I was really tired and very sore from sitting in the one place for so long I wondered what the hell I was doing on my own and amongst foreigners (probably in the Singapore airport). In Copenhagen airport, waiting to get to Helsinki I had a huge smile on my face and felt comfortable and good.
    I finally got into Helsinki 5pm local time, grabbed a taxi to get to hotel as I was knackered and couldn't be fussed with cheaper bus etc. It cost me 49€ but well worth it.
    My room is small and a single bed but all I need, a total luxury after sleeping in plane cattle class!! The name of the hotel is Cumulus and the ceiling is painted with a cloudy sky 😆 I love it!
    I wandered, out at 6 to take a look and find some tea. So far it looks lovely, I'll explore tomorrow. I found a shopping centre that had a few all-you-can-eat buffets for about €10 so I know where I'll be eating the next few nights 😉 I had a Chinese one and it was lovely.
    Then finally a shower (!💕) and bed    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    They love their bikesUspenski CathedralBeautiful interior of Uspenski CathedralA video of the interior of Uspenski Cathedral, wow!

    My home in the Cumulus clouds

    August 16, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    I'm loving my accommodation at Hotel Cumulus Kaisaniemi. Comfy bed, nice big breakie European style. No kettle in the room though 😠 but no matter, I bought myself a wee travel kettle.
    I have had a brilliant day, no jetlag ( amazing ), beautiful old cobbled streets and buildings with incredible detail on the exterior, big walks, a market ( I love a market! ), went on a ferris wheel thing to get an aerial view of the city, got my bearings with the Hop On/ Hop Off bus. Two highlights of the day - 1) the stunningly beautiful interior of the Uspenski Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church and 2) meeting a bloke while waiting for the bus who lived in Hobart and knows a bloke on Flinders Island! He described him and I could tell him who it was. It is a very small world!!
    €10 Indian buffet tonight.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    The colours of Helsinki
    There's always a bird....Salmon on rye for lunchAnother nice church

    More photos from today

    August 16, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    These photos are all about how I think about Helsinki. Clean with lots of parks, they love their statues and their bikes. Everyone seems to be out getting fit and enjoying themselves.
    I think I'm starting to get a bit of the lingo. Definitely need to know the name for coffee - Kavhia and thankyou is kiitos (key-toss). The Finnish language is so different than the Scandinavian languages so I'm pleased to see the signs everywhere have Swedish underneath the Fin name. I'm by no means fluent but I recognise certain terms from other trips to Scandinavia.Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Every city had one....
    Tall building in the background is the Uspenski CathedralSwimming pools and Market Square under the orange tentsLooking out to Suomenlinna Island

    Views from the Skywheel

    August 16, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The views are a bit blue because the windows were tinted. Not a bad aerial view though.

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Love that bread.Scrambled eggs and bacon, salty rye crackerBarley Porridge

    European breakfasts are the best!

    August 17, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Take a look at this spread! One thing I love about Europe is they know and do good bread - brown and seedy! But they don't seem to know about toast, probably don't need to with lovely fresh bread like that.
    They also cater for gluten free but I didn't bother with a picture of that.
    It's time to get back on the bike - the hips are widening again !    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler

    Meet Harald Milton

    August 17, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    This is Harald Milton. Harald from Helsinki, a good strong viking name and Milton was a family favourite. I asked for suggestions on social media and got some good suggestions but when he took me out to tea at his place, it had to be "Harald"
    We had a good day cruising around, even though he spent most of the day stuffed in a backpack. He enjoyed the toy museum on Suomenlinna island and sat on the rock while I dipped my feet in the Baltic sea.
    Looks as though he may have enjoyed his Harald beer a bit much though, his helmet slipped over his eyes. Was a good feast.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler

    Canal cruise around the Islands

    August 17, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    I went on a 1 1/2 hour canal cruise on a sightseeing boat today. Free with my Helsinki card. Some boats let you hop off on some of the Islands but this one didn't. It had a commentary though which was good to get the history of them.
    People live there and commute by boat to Helsinki, it doesn't take long as they're only just off the coast.
    Suomenlinna is the biggest and most interesting one as it was a Russian sea fortress before Finland's Independence 100 years ago.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Toy MuseumAnd these guys were playing bocci!!Panoramic viewVesikko, a Finnish sub, built in the 1930'sLots of stalagtites hung off the tunnels

    Fortress of Suomenlinna

    August 17, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The Soumenlinna sea fortress, was founded in 1748 and has played a role in the defence of 3 countries - Sweden, Russia and Finland. It was constructed in mid-1700's when Sweden wanted to fortify it's defence against Russia and (Finland was not yet independent) was called Viapori. It was thought to be impregnable but was surrendered during the Russian siege in 1808. It then became a lively Russian garrison for over 100 years. It was severely damaged during the Crimean War in 1855 then the Russians renovated the fortress and built a new sea defence line complete with earth ramparts.
    After Finland became independent in 1918 it was renamed Suomenlinna. The fortress was handed over to civilians in 1973 and is home to about 800 people. It's military tradition continues by the Naval Academy located on the islands. It become World heritage listed in 1991.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Down on the rocks were many carved inscriptionsMany tunnels, some very long and spookyI get my toes into the Baltic Sea

    Suomenlinna today

    August 17, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    These days the fortress serves as a setting for many cultural activities. Many artists and crafts people have studios there, experts in restoration of traditional sailing ships are now based there.
    There are a few museums on this small island as well. A toy museum, military museum, customs, submarine and 2 others. Many restaurants and cafes, conference centres, a theatre, old church. Quite amazing to have all this packed on such a small island.
    Walking around it was amazing to see all the brickwork and turf growing on top. A lovely bunker that could have been a hobbit house. Lots and lots of tunnels that you could walk through with stalagtites growing off the roof. Actually a bit spooky at times.
    There were a group of tourists enjoying a game of bocci. Many people just go over for picnics and enjoy the coastline.
    I traveled over on the public ferry (free with my Helsinki card) and it only took 15 minutes, but no commentary this time. You can take a guided walk if you wish. I missed the last one as I took a wrong turn (I am NOT a great navigator!) and missed the walk. It was actually good as I had the map to tell me about sites and, (as I am not a great navigator) I took more turns than was on the "thin blue line" and so saw more.
    AND, I got to soak my aching feet in the Baltic Sea - walking over cobblestones for a few hours plays havoc on the feet and back.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Very yummy. Loved the swordFinland craft beer with crispbread and melted butter

    Dining like a Viking

    August 17, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    I found a viking themed restaurant!! Harald the Viking restaurant in City Centre shopping plaza.
    Waiters were dressed in costume, the decor was very viking and the food and beer presented in traditional vessels, complete with sword!
    Loved it    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    He was playing some sweet tunes

    Just for Mel

    August 18, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    These things remind me of Mel.
    There was a shop in Old Porvoo full of old retro stuff. There was a dress there I nearly bought but didn't, a lady went into the change room before me and I didn't want to wait around so I decided "it wasn't meant to be" and walked out.
    This shop uses old suitcases and trunks to display goods which I know Mel would love as she does a similar thing with The Purple Swamphen.
    There was also some street art called "Junk and Roses " (nicer than Guns and Roses, even though I love their music) which was very clever and looked lovely over a water feature.
    And then walking home I found these two musos. That last dude just cracked me up! 😅😅    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    These are real streetsI'd want a fence up like too, keep the tourists outRound the cornerPorvoo is also known as BorgaPorvoo bus station.

    Porvoo

    August 18, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Porvoo is about 50 km east of Helsinki, a very pleasant bus ride.
    "Idyllic town with it's well preserved wooden houses and picturesque cobble-stoned streets. The city's town plan is from the Middle Ages, the low small houses, picturesque yards and narrow streets form a historically unique wooden town milieu. The symbols of Porvoo - the red warehouses on the river banks- tell the story of seafaring and trading." From a brochure
    In the old town there were lots of little shops, a couple of museums one of which was a typical old house. The cathedral there is another example of stunning craftsmenship. I'm not that religious but love looking at churches and cathedrals due to their history and often their sheer beauty.
    Porvoo - a must see and easy do    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Been there a while?Leading me up "the garden path"? Don't know where it goes

    Wildflowers or weeds?

    August 18, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    In Porvoo I spent a lovely rest time amongst the grass and flowers. Found a bumblebee, heard cicadas but couldn't find them, Harald Milton climbed a tree.
    Walking along the tracks I felt I could've been back in old medieval times walking or on horseback.
    There was a place called Castle Hill where these tracks were going around. There's no castle anymore but the moats dug around it are still there. These were dry moats but still effective apparently.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Go spend a euro, Helsinki train station
    Put them to pot, Porvoo, FinlandNo squatting on top of the seat pleaseLithuaniaDenmarkSingaporeLatviaEstoniaA box for the little princess to stand on. Tallin airport

    "I have to go and spend a penny" or Euro

    August 18, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    I find these signs and instructions hilarious but apparently some people in certain countries don't know how to use a loo properly. Some do actually squat on top of the seat.
    In lots of public loos here you have to pay either €1 or 2 for the attendant to open the door for you.
    I also loved the His and Hers signage in the different countries    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler

    Porvoo Cathedral

    August 18, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Simply stunning. The organ pipes playing were a beautiful touch. Every half hour the bell tolled all over town.
    It has a rough history being burnt down several times, laid to waste by Danish pirates, bombed in WW2. The oldest part of the greystone dates back to the late 13th century and has had many renovations and additions over the centuries. It became a cathedral in 1723
    Services are held on Sundays and church holidays at 10am in Finnish and at 12 pm in Swedish    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    2 fetishes in 1- enamel mug with a MoominAll males over 18 are obliged to do National Service, voluntary for womenPlaying at Tampere train station

    Finnish fetishes

    August 18, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Finns love their dogs, they walk them everywhere on the leads and even allowed on some carriages of the train.

    There is a phenomenon here of the Moomin character in a book. These little critters are everywhere. There was even a museum in Tampere I had to go check out. Move over trolls, the Moomins are here. Actually I hardly saw a troll souvenir.

    Public transport was really good and everyone cycled, even grannies and pops. Everyone had nice legs 😉 There didn't seem to be much traffic around Helsinki because of that I guess.

    Enamel mugs - sold everywhere and in bulk.

    Smoking - not taboo here like it is at home and smoke anywhere except eating places thankfully.

    Saunas- they love these and there are plenty of sauna places around. I didn't have one, I'm not a fan although I nearly went to the "last public wood fired sauna" just 2 km away but ran out of time. I'll do that when I visit again.

    I found the Finns to be very friendly and helpful once you get past their Russian-like reserve. Just flash them a smile and say "G'day mate" and they're putty in your hands. They love it when you try their language and say "kiitos" for thankyou.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Salmon soup with rye breadDid I tell you I love brown seedy bread?Served in an earthenware mugNot sure what it was called but basically a donut filled with jamSalmon on rye

    Food, fabulous food

    August 19, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    While I've been here I've tried as much as the traditional and local food as I can. I've loved the markets, the €10 buffets, the brown seedy bread. I don't think I've seen any white bread, just the baguettes.
    I've had 3 different types of porridge - barley, oatmeal and rye. I prefer the barley or rye as it's not as stodgy and heavy as the oatmeal. Rye for preference, I reckon, it tastes like rye
    Coffee is interesting - in cafes you can get a "proper" barista type coffee but often it's the percolated in the glass kettle thing stewed for a while. Still, it's caffeine when you need it 😉
    Ive grown to really enjoy the Karelen pasty at breakfast with a bit of bacon.
    It's berry season and markets are full of so many different berries.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    Another beautiful cathedral
    A beautiful surprise when I walked inFrom what I could see, their many statues were nakedVery pretty city

    Tampere

    August 19, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Today I took a train ride to Tampere, home city of friend Jana's family. I was going to go to Hameenlinna on the way home to see a Medieval Festival but it got wet and cold when I arrived so decided to keep going to Helsinki and go tomorrow morning . The forecast is for sunny skies. 🌞🌞

    Tampere was well worth the visit just to come across this group of kids singing in the Cathedral! ! They were beautiful.
    This city had a different vibe to Helsinki, this is the home of heavy/black metal music and the people here look a lot like the band members of Nightwish - men have long hair and plaited beards, woman have heavy eye make up and they generally wear black. There are "normal " people too but the other was very obvious. They appear to like all sorts of music.
    I stumbled across Blockfest -"The tenth Blockfest will be held in Tampere on August 18th -19th 2017. The city festival has sold out in advance every year and has become the biggest hip hop event in the Nordic countries in a very short period of time. " They are going cashless this year - you load up your wristband from your bank account! Very clever 💲💲
    Tampere is also the home of the Moomin Museum. I went on the hunt for that - well I had to.. I was there... my little Moomin keyring wanted me to, Harald didn't mind.
    For tea €10 buffet from Kampin pippuri, a Turkish style meal (or pizza!). I had the Turkish tucker- very yummy, lots of fresh beans and salads, nice soup and chunky meatballs 👍🍜    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    The Finnish name and the Swedish nameSoapThey don't always get the English grammar rightNo Finnish word for croissant?Rautatieasema - train stationTheir words are often very long looking like Welsh wordsVery important to know

    A lesson in language

    August 19, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Due to the close ties of Finland and Sweden in the past they basically use both languages. I found the Swedish words to be helpful as Scandinavian words can be similar enough to English to work some things out, also I've been to Scandinavia a couple of times now.
    The Finnish language is totally different, you can usually tell if it's a Fin or Swedish word.
    When I first got here I heard people saying "kiitos" to each other and did a double take thinking "I know that word!". I am a fan of the Finnish band Nightwish and they often end their songs with "Kiitos!!!" So I felt at home 😊    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler

    Hameenlinna medieval festival

    August 20, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    This morning I took the train back to Hameenlinna to see the Medieval Festival. It took longer for me to pack than I'd thought so didn't get going till 9.00 am so could only get the 10 oclock train. It takes an hour so I would get there at 11. I figured I could still get an hour or 2 in then go back to Helsinki to pick up my bags and taxi to the airport. The bags are too heavy and awkward to get the train.
    When I get to Hameenlinna I look at rhe board to see which train I need to go back on. I decide the 1 o'clock one should be safe. They trains run on time I found.
    It's a lovely sunny day and I think I'd like to stay all day but I can't of course.
    People are dressed in medieval costume, even many visitors and their children. There are many tents with stalls. Like most markets and festivals a lot of the same stuff is sold. I bought a nice bracelet. There was some great celtic music being played, piglets on spits, sheep around the moat. I really would've liked to have stayed.
    The festival is in the grounds of the Hame Castle which was open for a look.
    It was time to head back to the train station so a quick walk got me there. I checked the board and realised I had looked at the arrival board and not the departure board earlier!!!! So I'd missed the 12.30 I really needed. The next train didn't leave till 3pm- much too late. I thought **** oh dear, what will I do? I need to get to the airport and there's no train. I remember seeing 1 taxi outside so I asked him if he would drive me the 1 hour to Helsinki to get my bags and then the 20 minutes out to the airport at Vaanta. He said yes, I said thanks, I know it'll cost me a heap but I have to do it. I can't miss the plane or the cycle tour I'm booked on.
    So we make good time and get me to the airport 2 hours before departure. It only cost me €215 which I thought was pretty good. I was expecting it might have been much more. As it turned out we had great chats, teaching each other about our countries and culture, seeing other bits of the country and city that I hadn't seen before. So I figured it was a personal, chauffeured sightseeing trip I had paid for. Was worth it.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordScandinavia and the BalticsTraveler
    VilniusHello LithuaniaGoodbye Helsinki

    Goodbye Finland , hello Lithuania

    August 20, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    I got into Lithuania about 6pm, grabbed a taxi to our Hotel Tilto, Vilnius. I met my room mate Nicole, we got on really well!!
    Then we had our meet and greet with the group and guide at 7.30 pm. Nice bunch of people- all from Australia as it turns out, they could've been from anywhere.
    Then it was time to look for some tea. Nicole had been here since yesterday so knew where Old Town was. We walked thete and found a nice cafe/pub where we found some Lithuania style food. I had small dumplings stuffed with beef or pork with a blue cheese sauce- yummo! !
    Nicole's luggage hadn't followed her from her Warsaw connection so she without her stuff and was ringing to find out where it was. Should be here tomorrow??    Read more

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