• SiewchTravelerSingapore, Angkor, & Helsinki
    The Helsinki Waterfront as seen from the Suomenlinna Ferry.
    Buildings seen en route to the seafront.Buildings seen en route to the seafront.I walked through the Esplanadi to get to the seafront.More funky fountains at the Esplanadi.I walked through the Esplanadi to get to the seafront.Fountain at the eastern end of the Esplanadi.Old Market Hall.Old Market Hall.Interior of Old Market Hall during my second layover.I wondered if this was a sauna, or a funky store. It turned out to be a tourist information booth.On top of the booth is a public space where people can hang out on the sloping roof.Insouciant gulls atop a statue at the seafront.Allas Sea Pool.Allas Sea Pool.Ferris wheel neat Allas Sea Pool.My snack before boarding the Suomenlinna Ferry on my second layover.The Sunday crowds at the waterfront during my second layover.Salmon and vegetable lunch during my second layover.Insouciant gull atop a truck.

    Helsinki Waterfront

    September 17, 2022 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    After exiting the train station, I turned east and made my way to the seafront in the hope of getting to the Old Market Hall before they closed at 6pm. En route, I tried to get a feel for the environment I was in. Apart from a general sense of orderliness, I was surprised to hear a fair bit of English spoken around me. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that Helsinki was more multiracial than I expected for a European country that wasn't a colonial power.

    To get to Old Market Hall, I first walked through the Esplanadi, a very cute park with several statues depicting various sea creatures spouting water. Alas, I arrived at the Old Market Hall just as they were shutting the front doors. I wandered around the seafront for bit, taking in the sights, and taking note of the location of the ferry to Suomenlinna. I was also impressed by the modern design elements around. A great example was a tourist information booth which was constructed from asymmetrical wood strips. From there, I headed towards the Allas Sea Pool. I briefly considered going there to partake in Finland’s sauna culture, but I balked about walking from the hot sauna into the chilly 14 degree Celsius open air to dip myself in even more chilly sea water.

    Note: A number of the photos in this entry are from my second layover.

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