[hkskyline]

Helsinki Surprise
My trip to Finland was extremely random and not originally on my plan. I had a week in Europe as a transit point between Canada and Hong Kong, and was searching for a cost-effective side trip. I didn't want to stay in ultra-expensive London for too long. If I had to pay a fortune a day, I might as well see a new place.

While I searched for cheap hotels, I realized one of the hotel loyalty programs had a special. Looking through what was available in Europe, the only larger cities featured were Porto and Helsinki. Having been to Lisbon last year, I chose Helsinki.

1. Finnair has a significant network to Asia. But I flew in with easyJet from London.

2. The Central Railway Station is quite clean and tidy. The architectural style is quite interesting. It's not totally Art Deco, but something of a hybrid?

10. Rautatientori is a huge square next to the railway station. But I think it's too big and not intimate enough with its surroundings. Hence, it doesn't seem too busy in there.

11. Europe has some really modern trams.

18. I ventured north and headed across Kaisaniemi Park looking for the lake.

22. These trains look a bit aged though ...

24. Here's the lake. A number of boats were parked onshore along the waterfront. It seemed quite serene.

32. Don't look back.

33. I knew there must be some nostalgic old trams. Come to think of it, I don't think I actually rode on one of these whilst in Helsinki. I walked everywhere, and the hotel was right in the heart of town.

39. Here's another big square. Again, it seems deserted. Being blocked from the buildings by streets on three sides really kills the street life.

45. Helsinki is surrounded by plenty of water. Water has a wonderful calming effect, and makes cityscapes ever more pretty.

48. I try to visit at least one touristy local market in every city I visit. Hakaniemi Market was tidy and organized, and had plenty of one of my favourite foods - smoked salmon.

With some mental sustenance from all that looking, in the next part, I will take you around the city centre a bit more.

I've uploaded most of my Helsinki photos on my website : http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki.htm

 

[JasonParis]

This building appears to be a take on Richardson Romanesque. In fact, it even sort of reminds me of Queen's Park.

 

[hkskyline]

58. I leave Hakaniemi Market and head towards the lake.

61. Round buildings are quite fascinating. Here's a big one with a few other shapes and a lot of bricks!

63. Next to it is a more modern version.

66. A serene home by the park and the water.

74. I notice a lot of this bedrock-like material on the surface around the city. Looks like an interesting geological profile.

75. Some interesting buildings line the streets north of Senate Square. The architecture seems to differ quite wildly across buildings.

87. I noticed the doors are usually quite large, like this one.

99. The number boxes are quite uniform and unique as well. They're easily spotted from the street.

 

[ganjavih]

Looks like a quiet peaceful town. Did you notice much of a street buzz anywhere?

 

[hkskyline]

^ It was fairly quiet on the streets. Quite a serene atmosphere!

112. Katajanokka is home to a lot of Jugend architecture. The styles are simple, but the decorations are elegant. Add to that numerous colours, and they look quite good.

119. This entrance will swallow you whole!

135. The density is just about right. With parking on one side of the street, the scale seems quite perfect and intimate at the same time. We need a few more trees and shrubs to please the eye most.

139. Any smaller and I can bring it into the house.

146. A beautiful water scene borders this part of town.

162. Icebreakers taking a break during the off-season. More on the next part!