"Hauskaa Vappua!"
1st of May 2019Hello everyone!
Yesterday we took part in Vappu. It's a national holiday in Finland and is comparable to the German May Day. But for students, workers and families, this holiday is way more important socially, since it's a year-long tradition for them.
The celebrations begin the day before the 1st of May. We could already see thousands of students strolling through the city in their colored overalls. The different colors represent the universities the students are visiting or have visited. Another important part for the celebration is a white captain cap, that the students get in their first year of university on the 30th of April.
In the evening, everyone gets together at the Market Place around the statue Havis Amanda. First of all, the statue is washed by the students and at 6 o' clock, the Havis Amanda gets a white captain cap on top of her. The hole procedure is watched by thousands of people and is celebrated in bigger cities all over Finland.
Afterwards, there's party everywhere in the city. Some people visit pubs or clubs and others are just hanging out with a group of friends in parks and places in the city center, before they have a party at their school or university. Alcohol seems to be a very important element of Vappu, since its providing high-spirits throughout the students.
We decided to have chilled evening in the park and entered a club later that night so we got to experience the sun rising up in the morning.
On the 1st of May, the party is not yet over. It's a long-year-tradition for families and friends to have a big picknick in the Kaivopuisto park close by the sea. People bring instruments with them to have a little music session with their friends and families and are just enoying the day with their loved ones.
It was a lot of fun to participate in the May Day celebrations in Finland. This is a holiday, that is not comparable to any other one, we have experienced before and it was an easy way to get along with some locals.
Tallin Trip
4th of May 2019
On our second weekend in Finland we decided to plan a trip to Tallinn, Estonia. Its only two hours away by ferry so its perfect for a day-trip.
Our ferry left at the terminal at 7:30 AM so we had to get out of bed quite early in the morning, but it was definitely worth it. On the boat, we started our day with a little breakfast in the cafeteria and headed to the back of the ship to enjoy the sun and the fresh air. After a short nap and a walk through the ship, we arrived in Tallinn.
One thing I would have never imagined is that we would find a supermarket on the Ferry and even a Burger King. So if you are planing on going to Tallinn by Ferry, don't worry about getting enough snacks from home
(it's also duty free, so you get some airport-kind-of- vibes).
One thing I would have never imagined is that we would find a supermarket on the Ferry and even a Burger King. So if you are planing on going to Tallinn by Ferry, don't worry about getting enough snacks from home
(it's also duty free, so you get some airport-kind-of- vibes).
Our first destination was the Old Town. We discovered many small stores, cafes and restaurants in in the small streets of the old town and we had to take pictures of nearly every street, since they were just so beautiful.
Moving on further into the city center, we reached the Market Hall square, which is known as the heart of the Old Town. It takes its name from the Gothic town hall building, which you can visit for a small fee. It also has a tower that can be climbed during summertime.
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is probably the most famous sight found in the city. Here you can really feel that Estonia was part of the Russian Empire while it was build, right before 1900. The cathedrals onion-shaped domes and various mosaics are making it very special. We also took a look inside, since its free of charge.
Afterwards we headed to the Old Town Wall, another very famous sight in Tallinn, since most of it is still largely extant. It is one of the reasons, why Tallinn's Old Town has become a World Heritage Site. From the Kohutuotsa viewing point we had a phenomenal view over of the city and some of the old defense towers of the town wall.
We decided to have a lunch break in a small bar that offered cheap burgers and drinks and was not as crowded as the other restaurants in the city center. After that, we explored the Central Market of the city (Keskturg). It can be found right next to the railway station and offered various fruits and vegetables and also some small food places. Behind the food places and some souvenirs stands you can also find many antique shops, where you can find old cameras, coins and relics that remained intact after the wars. Definitely a must-see for history lovers.
In the afternoon, we had a coffee in the oldest Café in Tallinn. Despite the fact that it was very crowded, it was definitely worth visiting because of its traditional interior and decoration. (Especially the little Ferris wheel in the showcase)
We closed out the day in a medieval themed restaurant in old town, because it began raining in the afternoon.
After another 2-hour ferry ride, we arrived back home very exhausted but happy.
On Friday night, we left our apartment at 3:30 PM and made our way down to the Terminal of the Viking Line cruisers. After checking in we had 20 hours left on the massive ship and there were tons of things to experience. Daniela went to the cinema on board and watched Captain Marvel, while Mischa and Alina headed to a pub in the back of the ship to watch an ice hockey game of Finland. Afterwards we had dinner in a restaurant on the ship and closed out the day in the pub and the club, with some live music.
Stockholm Trip
10th - 12th of May 2019
On Monday this week, Daniela's colleges recommended a very good ferry offer to us, that was only 80€ in total for 2 nights on the ship and a day in Stockholm for 4 people. Without thinking a lot about it, we booked the trip and were very excited to experience also Sweden's capital at least for a day.
On Friday night, we left our apartment at 3:30 PM and made our way down to the Terminal of the Viking Line cruisers. After checking in we had 20 hours left on the massive ship and there were tons of things to experience. Daniela went to the cinema on board and watched Captain Marvel, while Mischa and Alina headed to a pub in the back of the ship to watch an ice hockey game of Finland. Afterwards we had dinner in a restaurant on the ship and closed out the day in the pub and the club, with some live music.
On Saturday morning at 10 AM, we reached our destination. While we enjoyed the breakfast buffet on board, we could already experience the impressive archipelago around Stockholm, although it was very foggy.
After a little walk to the city center, we started our Sightseeing trip through Stockholm. We started the day of on the beautiful Gamla Stan, which is the Old Town of Stockholm. On the island, there are many small alleys with countless little shops, restaurants and cafes. First we went to the Stortorget, which is the oldest square in Stockholm.
Right next to it, we could find the royal palace. The massive building is guarded by the royal guard and at 12 PM, you can also watch the changing of the guards, which is a huge tourist magnet.
On our way to the city hall, we passed the island Riddarholmen with Riddarholmen church on it and the Swedish Riksdag.
At the city hall building we took our time to catch some breath in the garden by the sea.
At the city hall building we took our time to catch some breath in the garden by the sea.
Next up on our list was the hipster district of Stockholm, the Katarina-Sofia neighborhood on the Södermalm island. In this part of the city, you can find many alternative cafes, trendy shops and beautiful architecture.
In the end of our Sightseeing day we walked up the Skinnarviksberget on Södermalm island and we were rewarded by an amazing view over the entire city.
After a short break and tons of classic tourist pictures, we decided to head back to the Old Town to grab something to eat, because we were not planning on spending another 30€ on dinner on the ship.
After a short break and tons of classic tourist pictures, we decided to head back to the Old Town to grab something to eat, because we were not planning on spending another 30€ on dinner on the ship.
Since our ship was leaving at 4:30 PM, we had only 6 hours for Sightseeing, but it was totally worth it because none of us has been in Sweden before and we are definitely planning to come back one day.
On our way home, we were also able to see way more of the archipelago, so we spent the first 1,5 hours just by watching the ships, tiny cabins and islands, that we passed.
In the evening we all recognized pretty fast, that this day was very exhausting, so we just went to the pub to watch some ice hockey and went to bed afterwards.
We really enjoyed the little cruise, since none of us went on one before. Stockholm is a very impressive city, since it's still very traditional, but also constantly trying to catch up with the newest trends.
In the evening we all recognized pretty fast, that this day was very exhausting, so we just went to the pub to watch some ice hockey and went to bed afterwards.
We really enjoyed the little cruise, since none of us went on one before. Stockholm is a very impressive city, since it's still very traditional, but also constantly trying to catch up with the newest trends.
Cottage Weekend
17th -19th of May 2019
On our last weekend in Finland, we decided to take some days off and explore the Finnish nature. We rented a car, booked an Airbnb and on Friday afternoon we made our way 200 km up north of Helsinki.
The way to the cabin was a 10km long, narrow dirt road, but after about 20 minutes through forests and fields, we arrived at our place for the weekend.
Our cottage was located directly at a huge lake, we had an own boat and no neighbors nearby.
On Friday we just made dinner, went to the sauna and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. On Saturday we all spent the day like we wanted. For example for a long boat tour over the lake, a morning yoga session, reading in the sun, taking pictures, swimming, sunbathing and much more. In the evening we heated up the sauna again and had dinner together on the porch with a beautiful view and the changing colors of the sky.
One tip: don't be scared of the cold water. Swimming after a late session in the sauna is a magical experience where you get to connect in another level with the nature. Listen to your body and jump! You won't regret it.
At 10 PM we all came together in the living room to watch the Eurovision Song Contest together which was a lot of fun and a perfect opportunity to bond a little more as our stay in Finland was sadly coming to and end.
After a rather short night we had to leave the cottage on Sunday,but not before enjoying one last breakfast outside, with the magnificent view and the beautiful songs of nature.
After another 2 hour car ride, we were back in our apartment in Helsinki.
After another 2 hour car ride, we were back in our apartment in Helsinki.
This trip was great to close up our time in Finland. We could relax a little and get an insight in the countryside and how Finnish people like to spend their weekends during the summertime.
Now it's only one more week until we will be flying back to Germany...
Now it's only one more week until we will be flying back to Germany...
