Finland!
Trip Start
Aug 29, 2008
1
6
31
Trip End
Sep 20, 2008
Helsinki,
Finland
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
We lugged our bags to the train station, walking by the cathedral right in the center of town. This really is an amazing site. When we later returned and toured it, i was really struck by how 'Finnish' the interior was. There was nothing there that didn't need to be. Just like most finns, it didn't talk when it didn't feel that anything needed to be said.
We also toured the Russian church, which was very different. Much more colorful and ornate. I thought this was very interesting as well, as it really shows about the different cultures that have influenced finland over the years. The third church was the rock church -- probably the most finnish of all. This is a church that is simply built into the rock face! Very cool as it really shows the integration into nature that you see in all aspects of Finland, i think.
Our hotel had NO desk staff -- only a code you entered to get into the room. I thought this was very innovative. It worked like a charm and was absolutely spotless. Highly recommended!
On the second day, we visited Suomalinna. This is fortress in the Helsinki harbor -- one of the largest in the world, actually. And it still seems to be some sort of training station for the finnish coast guard or something similar. It was terrible weather but we made the most of it and were able to tour most of the site. The old fort is on the south end, and this was where you could find all the old ramparts and cannons. Many of them still seemed to be in working order although they were really quite huge. And the view from this part of the fort was really amazing. I think the nature is what you go to Finland to find, really. So i was glad we made this trek.
Our last stop was the National Museum -- for such a young country there were tons and tons of artifacts. They did a wonferful job of chronicling the eniter history of finland from the stone ages to today. Much of the history, of course, was really the history of other nations but they seem to be proud of this heritage as well. I found it ironic that many of the Swedish royalty never even visited Finland at all!
I loved Finland and really would like to visit again someday. I don't think helsinki really gives a good overview of the country. I think it really is one place that you need to get away from the city to really understand the culture. But i really did feel at home there.
Comments
Finland
tell us more. Sounds wonderful.
They say...
To finish first, you must first be Finnish. Did you see any World Rally Championship or Formula 1 drivers there?