Finland
Djurgårdsviken

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    • Day 76

      Stockholm/Helsinki

      November 6, 2021 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

      Wie sieht man möglichst viel von zwei verschiedenen Hauptstädten an nur einem Wochenende? Die Lösung ist eine (Party-)Fähre, die über Nacht zwischen den Städten Stockholm und Helsinki hin und her fährt.
      Am Freitagnachmittag haben wir von Göteborg aus die fünfstündige Autofahrt nach Stockholm angetreten. Unterwegs machten wir einen Stopp in Gränna, einer kleinen Stadt, die berühmt für ihre rot-weiß gestreiften Zuckerstangen ist. Hier kann man sogar zuschauen, wie diese hergestellt werden!
      Als achtköpfige Truppe (ich war mit einigen Kommilitonen von der Uni unterwegs) sind wir am Abend und am nächsten Tag auf Erkundungstour durch die Stadt gegangen. Viel Zeit hatten wir zwar nicht, aber wir haben die wunderschöne Altstadt Gamle Stan mit ihren vielen Gässchen und kleinen Geschäften, die benachbarte Insel mit dem Park Djurgarden (Stockholm ist über 14 Inseln verteilt, sodass man viele Orte nur über Brücken und Fähren ereicht) und den Hafen besucht. Stockholm hat mir sehr gut gefallen, was nicht nur am schönen Wetter, sondern vor allem an den vielen schönen Gebäuden, der Nähe zum Wasser sowie den vielen süßen Cafés und Geschäften lag.
      Am späten Nachmittag bezogen wir dann unsere Kabinen auf der riesigen Fähre, die uns über Nacht nach Helsinki bringen sollte. Dabei handelte es sich nicht um eine ganz normale Fähre, stattdessen gab es hier neben Restaurants, Geschäften und Cafés auch ein Partyprogramm mit Karaoke und Disco. Das konnten wir uns natürlich nicht entgehen lassen - weshalb wir am nächsten Morgen ziemlich müde und verkatert in der Hauptstadt Finnlands ankamen.

      Bei der Einfahrt in den Hafen Helsinkis wehte uns bereits eisiger Wind auf dem Deck entgegen. Das Wetter besserte sich leider auch nicht während unseres kurzen Aufenthalts in der Stadt, stattdessen fing es mittags bei 3°C sogar an zu regnen. Zudem ging die Sonne hier schon kurz nach 15:00 Uhr unter. Trotzdem machten wir das beste daraus, nahmen an einer kostenlosen Stadtführung teil und erkundeten die Stadt danach noch ein bisschen auf eigene Faust. Auch Helsinki gefiel mir gut, allerdings war die Stadt ziemlich östlich geprägt. Einige Gebäude waren in einem sehr kommunistischen Stil gebaut, was die Stadt etwas kalt wirken lies. Es gab aber auch hier viele schöne Gebäude und einige Kathedralen , die sogar schon weihnachtlich geschmückt waren.
      Leider blieb uns auch hier nicht die Zeit, die ganze Stadt ausführlich zu erkunden, da am späten Nachmittag schon wieder unsere Fähre zurück nach Stockholm anfuhr. Dort verbrachten wir nach unserer Ankunft am Montag Morgen noch einige Stunden mit weiterem Sightseeing, bevor wir am Abend wieder in Göteborg ankamen.
      Obwohl wir in Stockholm und Helsinki jeweils nicht viel Zeit zum Erkunden hatten, hatten wir auf jeden Fall eine tolle Zeit in den beiden Städten sowie auf der Partyfähre. Und vielleicht kann ich ja eines Tages nochmal für einen längeren Aufenthalt zurückkommen...
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    • Day 14

      Helsinki - the First Full Day

      September 26, 2016 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

      This morning started late by our standards, and we didn't get out of the hotel until about 1100, after a run around Central Helsinki. Teemu was lazy, and decided to stay in the room, staring out the window, in a clueless daze.

      We on the other hand, went on a walking tour of downtown Helsinki. The first stop, was the western coast of the downtown peninsula. There was a large sculpture, mobbed by bus-loads of tourists. We have no idea what it was supposed to be, and you won't find a photo of it below.

      What you will find, is a photo of the little cafe that we stopped at along the waterfront for a coffee. This cafe was one of the few cafes/restaurants along the waterfront of Helsinki, and Finland in general, that was still open, despite the fact that it is not currently the height of summer. Also, though Finland is a coffee drinking country, it doesn't necessarily partake of the same sort of coffee culture we are used to, from the Antipodes. In many places, your choice of coffee, is take it or leave it. There are no baristas, just filter coffee, which is tasty, but not as good as a proper, barista made coffee.

      The next stop on our walking tour was the waterfront near the Hielalahden tori market. It was a Monday, and the market, which did look to have a lot of tasty looking street food stalls (~10EUR for a meal), was pretty dead. The only excitement, if you want to call it that, was a man getting hauled off by the police and loaded into the back of a police wagon. It was very quiet and orderly. As civilised an arrest as I can imagine.

      Further round the waterfront, we happened on the docks, and a forest of cranes. It was good to see that docks, and the cranes, were still in use, building and repairing ships. Carrying on around the waterfront we passed Finnish body builders swimming in the sea, many marinas, and many kiosks offering 4EUR per scoop of ice-cream. Safe to say that Finland is not the most easily affordable travel destination, but we knew that before we arrived.

      After the journey around the waterfront, it was time to get up above the city. This was achieved through a trip to Ateljee Bar. It is at the top of a 14 storey tower in the middle of downtown Helsinki. It isn't the tallest tower in the world, but Helsinki is a particularly tall city, so the bar has a commanding 360 degree view of the city. It is rather beautiful, and can be yours for the purchase of anything from the bar. We had cocktails and more importantly Courtney had her first Mojito of the trip and rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars. An espresso will set you back 5EUR, a beer 10EUR, and a cocktail 12EUR - give or take.

      Then it was time for an early dinner at Harald's. For the uninitiated, this a Viking themed chain-restaurant, complete with waiters/waitressed dressed as Vikings, and a menagerie of dead reindeers hanging from the walls. You can even get yourself a plastic viking helmet to wear as you enjoy your meal. If the thought of eating at a themed restaurant has you running, screaming to the hills, think again. Once you move passed the themed nature of the restaurant, the food was absolutely delicious. The restaurants are built for large groups, and the atmosphere would be awesome on a crowded Friday or Saturday night, but unfortunately, Mondays are not a busy night, and the place was a pretty cavernous venue to host six parties totalling about 20 people. The place could probably seat closer to 300.

      And that was the day. We repaired to the hotel room, to have a night-cap. Me, half a litre of stale beer left over from my 1L can yesterday; Courtney, half a can of stale cider left over from yesterday.

      Goodnight folks.
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    • Day 14

      Die gigantische Kallio Kirche

      July 30, 2020 in Finland ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

      Weiter ging’s in das frühere Arbeiterviertel Kallio. Auch heute merkt man das, da es hier sehr viele Blockbauten gibt und es im Vergleich zum 1 Kilometer entfernten Zentrum deutlich weniger hektisch ist. Am auffälligsten im Viertel Kallio ist die massive lutherische Kallio Kirche. Die 1912 fertiggestellte Kirche aus grauem Granit ist eines der am besten erkennbaren Wahrzeichen von Helsinki, was vor allem an der Höhe des Turms und der Lage auf einem Hügel liegt. Der Turm der Kirche ist ca. 65 Meter hoch. Die estnische Küste kann vom Turm aus gesehen werden. Leider ist es jedoch nicht möglich auf den Turm zu fahren/steigen, somit konnten wir diesen tollen Ausblick nicht genießen. Die Kirche von außen ist einfach gigantisch und sehr schön. Im Inneren dann eher schlicht, jedoch nicht weniger schön. Innen angekommen haben wir uns aufgrund der Ruhe mitten in der Stadt sehr wohl gefühlt. Aus diesem Grund haben wir hier eine Pause für 20 Minuten eingelegt und einfach mal die Ruhe für die Beine und für den Kopf/die Ohren genossen. Von der Kirche aus ging’s dann mit einem kleinen Umweg zum nahegelegenen Hakaniemi Markt zum Abendessen.Read more

    • Day 13

      Sen Chay - 100% vegetarisch asiatisch

      July 29, 2020 in Finland ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

      Von der Insel ging’s weiter am Wasser entlang Richtung Abendessen. Für das Abendessen hatten wir uns ein kleines recht verstecktes Restaurant im Ortsteil Kallio rausgesucht. Das kleine Restaurant Sen Chay ist ein asiatisches Restaurant welches nur vegetarische Speisen anbietet. Teils Curry mit Gemüse, teils normale Rezepte mit Fleischersatz, z.B. Tofu oder Soya. Nadine hat sich ein Erdnusscurry gegönnt, ich mir ein Ingwer Curry. Beides mit Tofu. Hat gut geschmeckt und war definitiv reichlich. Vom Restaurant ging’s dann mit zwei E-Rollern wieder zurück ins Zentrum, zum Dom. Erstaunlicherweise wurde für die Fahrt kein Geld abgebucht. Warum, wissen wir nicht. Trotzdem erfreulich.Read more

    • Day 1

      Helsinki - day 1

      August 9, 2019 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      First impressions last! Great food and beer on the first night, amazing weather on our first full day. I couldn't have asked for more! 😍

      A very walkable city, with 11.5 km on the record for today so far. From church to church, foodmarket to waterside and great restaurant to a (very) Finnish bar. Much love for Helsinki!Read more

    • Helsinki dag 1

      June 4, 2019 in Finland ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

      Wat betekent een bezoek aan deze stad als je de geboorteplaats van Ann's geliefde Arabia servies overslaat? Dat hebben we dus niet gedaan. Op weg er naartoe veel leuke dingen gezien. Van minikunst, jonge ganzen tot modern houten kapel en zeer toeristische rotskerk. We hebben nog wel 3 locaties gezien waar je er een kunt bouwen. Veel groen en terrasjes. En dan het designcentrum zelf.Read more

    • Day 1

      Helsinki Airport to Hilton Strand Hotel

      January 26, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

      On way from Airport to Hotel . We recommend a shared shuttle where after hours it is free for women. We also suggest staying at the downtown area since the airport is far away and by staying at downtown you will be able to walk and explore more.Read more

    • Day 15

      Teemu Time

      September 27, 2016 in Finland ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

      Hei ystäväni, nimeni on Teemu - Hello my friends, my name is Teemu. I am Finnish and a teddy bear and I am now travelling the world before I settle in a place called New Zealand. Courtney tells me they have a lot of honey there and Jamie says I can have as much as I want. YAY.

      Anyway, I have stolen the tablet while they sleep because I have a few wrongs to write (ha see what I did there).

      You will have seen by reading this blog that they keep referring to me as "lazy Teemu", "quiet Teemu" and "sad Teemu", I can assure you that I am none of these things except for maybe being a little Lazy because they like to carry me around like a little baby and I am not going to complain about that. I mean who would? My bear friends say this is pretty normal with the little humans but I guess my big humans don't want to grow up yet.

      So this morning I woke up to find myself being strangled by Courtney. She likes me to sleep with her even though Jamie always tries to steal me and they fight over me until Courtney eventually wins. I haven't been with them long but about 50% of the time I wake up on the floor after I've been thrown off the bed during the night and for the remaining 50% I am pushed under the covers. Again my bear friends tell me this is normal so I guess I will get used to it.

      Courtney and Jamie went to breakfast and brought me back some honey, that was nice. They then said I was allowed to go out with them today so I could say goodbye to my country. Man I was so excited or I was until Jamie told me he was putting me in his backpack but not to worry because it's just like hibernation. I don't think he likes being seen with me and that makes me a little sad. So, after a few tears, I spent a good hour or so in the darkness hearing muffled voices talking about how beautiful my country was.

      When i finally emerged from the darkness, I was confronted with a weird building.It had walls which looked like places I used to go to sleep in, Courtney tells me these are called rocks. Jamie said that she should know because she is something called a Geologist. Then she started talking about all the lines in the walls called veins and faults, and then I zoned out, Jamie whispered and told me that he zoned out too. Courtney just kept blabbering on and on about the rocks. Anyway, it turns out this crazy building was called Temp.aukio Kirkko - which was a church that lots of people seemed to love. There is a photo of me below taking it all in before I was plunged back into the darkness of Jamie's bag. At least I didn't have to walk I suppose.

      After a bit more time in the bag, we arrived at another church place. Courtney said it was called the Russian Orthodox Church and we had to be silent to be respectful. I think Courtney forgets that I am teddy bear and I can't talk. It was pretty nice and colourful but sadly there was no honey to be found and I was getting Hungry.

      We then walked down to the waterfront and I got to admire the view for the last time and Courtney said I could ride the turtles. I named my turtle Roger and it was the best part of my day. I got a few photos to remember it by.

      Our next stop was the movies to see Bridget Jones Baby after Jamie promised he would take Courtney on her birthday. Jamie said it was going to be horrible and I was a bit alarmed but then I saw Jamie laugh and I relaxed a bit because it wasn't as awful as Jamie made it out to be. Courtney found it funny and then Jamie pretended afterwards that he didn't like it, but I know the truth, because I saw him laugh - more than once. Courtney whispered to me that Jamie is a liar.

      We then went back to the hotel and Courtney and Jamie sat me down and told me that we were leaving tomorrow to go to a place called Russia. That sounds a bit scary, but I am assured that they have other teddy bears and more importantly honey. Courtney offered me some wine to calm my nerves, but i declined. Now wasn't the time to tell her that I am at AA. Courtney said that she would have my share and proceeded to drink most of the bottle. Jamie told her "Hey. I wanted some of that!" Courtney, just looked at him and responded, "My precious."

      I am a bit sad to leave my home, it is very beautiful here. I hope I can come back one day.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Djurgårdsviken, Djurgardsviken, Eläintarhanlahti

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