Day 30

Today was a relaxing one, which was definitely welcome after a hectic few weeks of constant travel. After breakfast, Heddi and I walked over to her father’s nearby place to help with preparations for his 80th birthday celebration. The day ended up being a bit of a reunion for me—I’ve met most of Heddi’s extended family before, but it had been a long time since seeing many of them. Some I hadn’t seen in 28 years!

The celebration included many people I’d met before, like Heddi’s dad, her sister Ninni and her husband Mikael, her aunt and uncle Kerstin and Bjarne, their daughters Assi and Solveig, and their son Oskar—whom I didn’t recognize at first, since he was only 12 the last time I saw him. I also met several people for the first time, including Solveig’s husband Mikael and their sons Jonatan and Kasper, Assi’s partner Oliver and their son Lukas, Ninni’s daughters Elsa and Klara, and family friends PQ and Konschin. (To be honest, I didn’t remember everyone’s names—Heddi helped me piece the list together!)

We had pizzas and salads for lunch, which was a great solution for such a large crowd. They sang “Happy Birthday” in both Swedish and English, though after the English version, there was no “Hip Hip Hooray” to follow. I almost jumped in with it myself, but then imagined everyone staring blankly at me if it wasn’t a thing here—so I wisely kept quiet.

After most of the group headed off to see a public theatre performance, Heddi and I made our way back home to regroup, then took the train into Helsinki for a bit of sightseeing before I begin the long journey home tomorrow. (Once again, the ticket machine didn’t accept my card, so I scored another free ride—not complaining!)

We began our visit at Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko), the imposing white neoclassical church that towers above Senate Square. It’s easily the most iconic building in Helsinki, with its green domes and wide staircase that’s popular with locals and tourists alike. From there, we walked through the Esplanadi Park—a lovely green strip right in the city centre, flanked by cafés and lined with trees and flowerbeds. This area always has a buzz to it, from street musicians to families enjoying the last of the summer sun.

We also made our way to Uspenski Cathedral, a red-brick Eastern Orthodox church perched on a hill with golden onion domes and a sweeping view over the harbour. It’s a reminder of Finland’s historic ties with Russia and offers a stunning contrast to the white elegance of Helsinki Cathedral.

Eventually, we found ourselves near the harbourfront, where we visited the SkyWheel and Allas Sea Pool complex. The Ferris wheel there has the typical panoramic views of the city—but what makes it uniquely Finnish is the private sauna cabin included in one of its carriages. Only in Finland! Nearby, we grabbed a drink at Allas Wine & Dine, an elevated bar that offers a perfect view over the water and the buzz of locals enjoying the sea baths below. We enjoyed a glass of Banrock Station Reserve Shiraz—a solid choice from back home that made for a fun contrast to the Nordic setting.

Dinner was at a vegetarian restaurant called Yes Yes Yes, a stylish spot with a playful name and a variety of creative plant-based dishes. The crowd was surprisingly international—everyone around us seemed to be speaking English, both staff and diners. We had a set menu featuring a variety of small plates that showcased different flavours and styles, from grilled vegetables to halloumi, dips, and flatbreads—plenty to share, and a nice change of pace.

After dinner, we walked a bit more through the city, soaking in the light and the lively summer vibe before catching the train back to Esbo. Tonight, I’ll need to pack up for the beginning of my journey home. With the Finnair strike still ongoing, I’ll now be flying to Frankfurt early tomorrow, and then continuing on to Bangkok and eventually Sydney.

Fingers crossed all goes smoothly with staff travel!もっと詳しく