Helsinki-The Pocket Sized Metropolis Where East & West Blend

Tuomiokirkko Cathedral, The Symbol of Helsinki

Situated on the Baltic sea, Helsinki is the capital of the Republic of Finland and was declared the World Capital Of Design for 2012 because of the country's stress on incorporating innovative  design in all aspects to life and also because design has always been integral to Finnish life style.Finnish brands like Iittala Glass, Marimekko Fabric and Arabia Finland are found in almost all Finnish homes and Nokia Mobile Phones can be found with  almost 50% of the world population.  Helsinki is a modern European city of culture that is famous especially for its design and high technology. In 2000 Helsinki celebrated it 450 years  and was officially declared the European City of Culture. Finnish Design has made Helsinki famous attracting architecture and design fans from all over the world. All the above make Helsinki a top destination among the places to travel in the Scandinavian countries.

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Helsinki Harbour Cruise, Finland

Helsinki is spread across a number of bays and peninsulas and over a number of islands.The sea is an essential part of the personality of Helsinki.The city  is best explored by boat and the cruise takes you around  capital's oldest districts, famous historical buildings, churches, monuments, enormous ice-breakers, and the largest naval fortress in the world, Suomenlinna. In winter the harbour freezes over and the Ice breakers swing into action to keep the harbour open. The ice is at places more than 10feet thick and the Finns dive through ice holes into the water below the ice for a swim to warm themselves.The water is at a temp of 4 degC while the air outside is -35 deg C.The swim is preceded by a sauna bath and followed by a meal of sausage and Karhu beer.

Large Cruise Ships Docked at Helsinki

The Silja line is a Finnish Cruiseferry operating between the Capitals of the Baltic. It carries 3 million passengers and 200,000 cars annually. There is a minor traffic jam outside the terminal when the cars get off and on the ships. Ship building is a major industry in Finland. The world's largest luxury cruise ship,Oasis of the Seas was built in Finland. 16 Storey's high the ship had a displacement of 225000 tons and had 12000 plants-real trees-to bring a feel of nature to the steel structure.

Viking Line Cruise Ship, Helsinki


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The Viking Line combines the  two Nordic capitals – Helsinki and Stockholm – by cruising the world’s largest archipelago, between Finland and Sweden. The luxury cruises from Helsinki  to Oslo  and Stockholm offer high-quality cabins (all with shower and toilet), several restaurants and bars, nightclubs with live entertainment, discos, casinos, saunas and swimming pools.

Luxury Cruise Ship Viking Line, Helsinki

One can enjoy the famous Scandinavian Buffet on board which is traditional,plentiful and has special emphasis on freshly caught fish prepared in traditional finish style.Starters include Cold smoked halibut marinated with tomatillo and pineapple, chicken breast roasted with coffee beans, mango chutney and Main Course includes  Minicrabs au gratin in their shells, Chicken fillet with lime and cocoa topped with desserts like Orange pannacotta etc. A sea journey over the Baltic is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Polished Stone Fountain in Helsinki Main City Square

The Old Market Square in Helsinki  is a central square bordered by the Baltic in the south.It is a major market and a tourist attraction in the city.There are many street vendors selling Finnish delicacies,ice cream and beer giving the whole place a festive look.

Main Square, Helsinki

 Major cruise start from the Main Square and also ferries to the various islands which make up Helsinki.The sea gulls at the main square have become quite bold and aggressive and often snatch food and ice creams from the hands of children.

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The Rock Church Helsinki

In line with Helsinki being the Capital of Design, the Rock Church  Helsinki is an innovative design as the church is built into solid rock, therefore, it is also known as the Church of the Rock.The Rock Church is a thrilling work of modern architecture. The underground Church is built inside of a massive block of natural granite in the middle of an ordinary residential square.The Rock Church is invisible from the outside with only the copper dome poking out of the top.From the top it looks like a Space saucer is lodged in the ground.The Rock Church is a major tourist place in Helsinki.   

Inside the Church Of The Rock Helsinki

The inside of the Church of  the Rock is circular in shape and the walls are made of raw granite. The ceiling is made of coper wire.The  church is lit with natural light which comes in through 180 window panes connecting the walls to the dome.The acoustics are excellent so much so that sometimes concerts are held here.

Midsummer Festival, Helsinki

Midsummer or Juhannus is when the shortest night of the year occurs and the longest day is ahead. Celebrated in commemoration of St. John, Midsummer centers upon the period of summer solstice  when put up poles embellished with ribbons and flowers. This tradition is one of Finland's most important events. It is also Finland's National Flag Day.It is celebrated on the saturday between 20th and 26th June.

Ferry To Naval Fortress at Suomenlinna, Helsinki

Helsinki was a small unknown town until Sweden decided to build a naval fortress at Suomenlinna for protection from the Russians.The huge number of workers and their supporters started the economic activity and the foundation of Helsinki was laid.

Entrance at Helsinki Fortress Suomenlinna

The fortress of Suomenlinna succeeded in its purpose until one year the sea froze over and Russians walked over and captured Suomenlinna and Finland.Under the Russians Suomenlinna fortress became a lively garrison town and Finland also developed.Today Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Finland's top tourist places.It is also a district of Helsinki with a permanent population of 800.

Buildings Inside the Suomenlinna Castle Helsinki

There is a movie theatre inside the fortress and movies about the Fortress are shown which include old photographs and film clips, so that the visitors can get a visual feel about the actual happenings at that time. There are some excellent clips of the actual attacks and the happenings.

Esplanade Park ,Helsinki

Esplanade Park   is located between two main streets and surrounded by beautiful Neo-Renaissance buildings, which replaced the old wooden houses in the latter half of the 19th century.There are many fountains and statues of Finnish Poets.There are plenty of Cafes, a couple of restaurants and souvenir shops, and most of the time a lively, loud and melodious concert is going on. The park has plenty of lawns and benches to sit on, plus ice-cream kiosks and beer bars.It is an interesting place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Among the Night Clubs Studio 51 is huge and good but The Arctic Bar ,at a temp of -5deg C is more thrilling.You get gloves upon entering. For Adult entertainment the Club Alcatraz  Helsinki is a good choice. The artistes seem to have undergone ballet training and do the pole dance act quite expertly. Ladies pay 2 Euro and Gentlemen 12 Euro for entrance.

Helsinki is called a pocket sized metropolis with a perfect blend of East and West. East from decades of Russian rule and West from its parent country Sweden.   

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Vaasa-The Sunniest City Of Finland

Statue Of Liberty,Vaasa,Finland

Founded in 1606 on the West Coast of what is now Finland, by King Charles of Sweden, Vassa was renamed several times because of language change(Swedish-Finnish), political decisions(Sweden-Russia-Finland), alternate spelling etc(Vasa-Vaasa). From1855 to 1918 when Finland was under Russian domination,Vaasa was named Nikolainkapunki. In1918 Finland gained independence and Nikolainpunki promptly became Vaasa and a Statue Of Liberty was erected in the Main Square of the City Centre.

Sculpture In Vaasa,Finland

The Sculpture in the City centre with the Vaasa Church in the background.The church was consecrated in 1869 and is built in the British Neo Gothic style with a seating capacity of 900.Vaasa has recently developed into a tourist attraction with tourists from all parts of the world coming to The Sunniest City of Finland. Vaasa offers several sporting and outdoor activities.

City Centre,Vaasa Finland

The City Centre is the centre of city life in Vaasa. The Market Square in the City Centre is a major shopping center with several super stores offerring the best and top selling brands of garments, cosmetics, fashion accessories and electronic gizmos. There are military bands playing and marching in the market square to add to the gaiety of the place. market Square also has many restaurants offerring Finnish cuisine and there is a McDonalds also which serves its combo meals for 8 Euro. For comparison the McDonalds in India sell the same meal for 2.6 Euro.

Gulf Of Bothnia,Vaasa, Finland

Vaasa is a sea side city located at the narrowest point of the Gulf Of Bothnia making it an important between Sweden and Finland.The population of is mainly Swedish and Finnish and so is the language giving the city its Nordic culture. Since there are many international tourists visiting Vaasa at all times, the city also has an international flavour to it with tourists being welcomes wholeheartedly. 

Kvarken Archipelago,Finland

Outside of Vasa on the sea you will find many islands. That is the Kvarken Archipelago, which is set on the list of World Nature Heritages of the UNESCO.This unique stony archipelago has been created by continuing land uplift after the melting of the continental ice sheet 10,000 to 24,000 years ago. Numbering some 5,600 islands and islets, the area extends approximately 70 km in an east-west direction, and 60 km in a north south direction.The guide told us that sometimes when a new island appears ,there is some confusion whether it is in Sweden or Finland.

Kalaranta Passenger Quay,Vaasa,Finland

This is the Kalaranta Passenger Quay from where the MS Tiira starts its 3 hour cruise of the Kvarken Archipelago.

MS TIIRA Cruising in Kvarken Archilelago,Finland

The Rocks are growing at the rate of 10mm per year and it needs a thorough knowledge of the water to steer the boat between the rocks. Finns take to the water naturally. There are more boats in Finland than the number of cars.All households have at least one.

While sailing in the  the archipelago one can admire the typical Finnish Summer Cottages, including their unique  local architecture.There is also a very well preserved fishing village.The children can be seen jumping and swimming in the icy water and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Kuusisaari Island, Kvarken, Finland

Midway through the cruise MS Tiira stopped at Kuusisaari island,one of the bigger ones out of 5600 in the Kvarken Archipelago. It appeared to be a popular place judging from the number of water scooters tied all around the place. In winter when the water freezes,snow scooters/snow mobiles are used to visit Kuusisaari Island.  

Janne's Saloon Restaurant at Kuusisaari Island,Kvarken,Finland.

At Kuusisaari island there is an excellent restaurant ,Janne's Saloon. It has facility for hosting conferences,training and business meetings also.There is a tub for hot water bathing in the open.The menu at the restaurant has all kinds of salads,vegetables, shrimp, herring etc with the main courses being White Fish-fried or raw salted, Pan Fried salmon, Fillet steak and Sauteed Reindeer.

After an hour at Kuusisaari island the M/s TIIRA started back to the Kalantara Quay but following a different route which was crowded with boats of all kinds-most notable were the speed boats moving at really high speeds ,invariably with a couple of dogs also enjoying the ride.

The Heseburger Outlet at Vaasa. Heseburger is the local competetion to McDonalds and with  more than 200  outlets in Finland,it has a larger presence in Finland as compared to the US McDonalds. Known by the name Hese its menu offerrings are the same as McDonalds but the flavor is different, I would say Nordic.

We just managed to reach the Vaasa Railway station to board the last train to Seinajoki at 830PM . Just note the absence of passengers at the railway station of the 3rd largest city of the region.

Kuortane-The Sports Resort of Finland

Hotel Kuortane Sports Complex 

Located in the western region of Finland, Kuortane is famous for its Sports Institute.The place has a good hotel with well equipped rooms,each having its own sauna, and restaurants serving excellent nourishing meals, of which the breakfast is most elaborate. Finland is the only country in the world which has more sauna baths than its entire population,i.e more than one sauna per person.In winter when the temperature is below Minus 30 C and the Ice on the lakes is more than ten feet thick, the Finns after coming back from office take a Sauna Bath,followed by a dive into a hole in the ice.The water at 4Deg C is much warmer than the air outside. After the swim under the ice ,the evening is rounded off with a meal of sausage and Karhu Beer.Karhu is a Finnish beer with a strong taste and its marketing slogan says "Untamed Karhu is the strongest of its breed". The logo is an oversized  Brown Bear which is also the national animal of Finland.Finland is becoming a top destination among the Scandinavian countries and Kuortane is among the many tourist places.

Seinajoki Railway Station,Finland

To reach Kuortane we took the Finnair flight from New Delhi to Helsinki Vaanta Airport. Vantaa has been voted best airport of Europe and once of the world also.It is excellent in terms of immigration and baggage handling. Then a train from Helsinki to Seinajoki and finally a cab to the Kuortane Sports Institute.The train in the background at Seinajoki is carrying timber and Finland is one of the biggest suppliers of timber and pulp/paper to Europe.

Reception Of Kuortane Sports Complex Hotel, Finland

The Reception area of the Kuortane Sports Institute Hotel.There is a Bowling Alley in the basement , Gym, Swimming Pool, and internet access . Each apartment has an independent suana which we used extensively. After splashing water for an hour on the electric fire one comes out refreshed,lighter by almost 2Kgs and the metabolism all charged up.

Coffee Shop,Kuortane Sports Complex,Finland

The Coffee Shop,one of the four restaurants at the Kuortane Sports Complex. Kuortane has 8000 inhabitants with a population density of 1 person per 8.6 Sq KMs.

All facilities are self service.

Lake Kuortanejaarvi, Finland

The lake Kuorteenjarvi  behind The Kuortane Sports Institute. Finland has more than 188000 lakes with a lake being a water body more than 500 sq Mtrs.This the terrace of the Lake View Aalto Bar and Restaurant which serves 4 course gourmet meals with Karaoke.

Indoor Gold Course at Kuortane Sports Institue, Finland

Kuortane Sports Institute has a 9 Hole Golf Course which is used in Summer. For winter there is an indoor driving range where the swing can be practised and perfected. A bio mechanical analyser gives a report about the swing.

Indoor Skating Rink at Kuortane Sports Institute, Finland 

The Ice Arena at Kuortane Sports Institute has a 25X58 M ice rink which suits ice skating,figure skating,ice hockey, synchronised skating etc, any Ice Sport. The Ice Arena is open throughout the year.

Indoor Sports Hall,Kuortane, Finland

The Indoor Sports Hall at The Kuortane Sports Institute has facilities for Basket Ball, Volley Ball, Track and Field, Wrestling and Gymnastics.

Mini Spa-The Indoor Swimming Pool,Kuortane, Finland

The Mini Spa has a 25M X4 lane swimming pool, Sauna, Water Massage, Cold Therapy Pool, Jaccuzi and Turkish bath.Teams from all over Finland come to train here.

Waste Ice From The Skating Rink,Kuoratne, Finland

Ice Cream Stall-Tootteroo,Kuortane, Finland

In June the Sunrise is at 4AM and Sunset is at 11PM. At lat. 63Deg North of the equator ,there is almost no night.Only few hours of dusk. There is maximum sale of ice cream in June in Kuortane. Children come to Sports Camps at the Kuortane Sports Insitute from all over Finland.

Boating on the Lake Kuorteenjarvi, Kuortane, Finland

Stroll In the Pine Forest,Kuortane, Finland

The Surrounding Pine Forest Abode of Karhu- The Brown Bear