So, here i am in Helsinki
Got the night train from Rovaniemi in somewhat luxury as the cheapest beds had gone. But still it hardly broke the budget at around £16 for a bed. Shared the room with a finnish guy who's wife and children were in the next cabin. They kindly invited me to share some pizza and wine with them :) much to the amusment of there 3 year old son, who took a shine to my charlie monkey (for those of you that know him!)
So got to Helsinki and headed to the hostel I decided to stay in, however upon stepping into the court yard it was clear that the place was closed for renevation! Slogged it back to the train station to ask tourist info to find me a bed. Checked in to a youth hostel, dropped off my bags and headed into town. Having losely got my barings a week before hand when my ferry docked i headed to the market square by the harbour.
Took in the sites and churches surrounding senate square and a really good museum dating the history of helsinki.
Headed noth of the city to a "special" church, special didn't descirbe this place. The church was carved inbetween these rocks in the middle of helsinki to form an ovalesq church. Inside you'd never belive the surrounding on the out. Sitting in the church pews for a bit and felling all spiritual, I hit the national musem - some good exhibitions tho most pre histiory is the same though finalnd is pretty odd as it was only really formed in 1917 - previously being either sweedish or russian teritory. Feeling tired headed back for a sleep
Today I'd decided to take a trip to the Maritime Fortrese off Helsinki, again this place had been built by the sweeds to be invaded by the russians and then attacked by then french and british in the crimean war - Loads of history!! Was strange then to see that the island was now used by the helsinki locals as a park and beach, with everyone swimming about etc juxatposed against the previous history. The coolest part for me was the church that also double up as light house! Why build a new tall building when there already is one :)
Headed back to the main land and just pottered about really heading back to the hostel for a few beers and dinner.
I'm off to Tallinn, Estonia tomrrow for a few days and hopefully cheap beer :) then back to Helsinki and home!
Btw whos reading this in Cardiff?? Had a few hits from there!
Catch ya all soon
Congrsats to Wiggy and Bex for the birth of their little girl
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