Finland

Finland... when it turned in the reality it was awesome experience in Finland. Osssumm experience. I visited Greater Helsinki area, which is Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, but could not visit Vantaa.

I landed on Helsinki Airport. I was noticing difference. What is that makes it a foreign country. Long long trees, green, yellow and orange leaves. Wet climat. Windy atmosphere. no bright sun.

This weather reminded me Phoenix from Twilight Series. Why wont I be romantic and dream of Edward :)

Taxi was heading towards Espoo. 3 ring roads were seen. Highway was like we have service road and highway in PCMC area and Mumbai. Many exit and entry points to highway. Highway was in good condition, street paint, indication marks, signals everything was in good state. It was Sunday, may be that's why highway was empty ! I liked this drive too much. Taxi was in speed, no lane cutting, ho honking, no wrong overtaking. People were following rules themselves. I dream one day our Country also becomes like this.

It took 30 mins to reach Espoo. Our apartment was in Kauniainen. City where most rich people live :)
Bunglows, apartments, parking lot, garden, such a neatly organized area.
Below photo is from our apartment, photo of neighborhood and road near bunglow.

Most enjoyable part of my stay was Snow. Each day I used to check weather forecast, 'It will be a sunny day, rainy and huuuu snowy' ! On 

Wednesday 24th Oct's night it snowed. When I came out of apartment. White layer was laid on ground. A pure white colour. Nature's wonder. Solid rain ! Snow Fall !! I could not resist myself from playing with Snow.

Another funny part was the Sun. October-Nov is pre-autumn period in Europe. Sun used to rise in morning 8-9 o'clock and set around 5. I always traveled in dark to-fro office. In India we see Sun traveling 180 degrees over our head, but there the Sun traveled around 40 degrees. If it was autumn, winter then the Sun would have been in sky only for few hours. There was no warmth in Sunlight. In Finland all apartments were having hot water system and most apartments had Sauna. Continuous hot water was supplied by government.

Finland doesn't have old city. During world war Helsinki was demolished. Now in Helsinki everywhere you would see buildings with glass or buildings which will appear newer. Few skyscraper will pop in between.

Few stills from this city are put below.

Shops, malls are open for more time on week days than weekends. If you have time go to Ikea. Biggest mall !
In Helsinki, near to the cathedral one lane is famous for shopping.
Then there are few Famous building's from Helsinki

1. Rock Church.
This church is built inside rock. From outside appearance you would not understand there is church inside. It is built directly out of rock.

Rock Church From outside

dome structure of church

Church view

Finland's City Museum

2. City Museum:

This museum has entry fee, is worth to go. If you plan to visit this museum, make sure you have 2-3 hours in hand. Same is for case of History Museum. It is 3 floory building and has a lot to see. Just in case if you have time on week day, these museum's have free entry on particular days.



3. Sea Museum:

We had been to Sea life in Leppavara which had 15 Euro entry ! It was not that worth according to me. I had visited many other aquarium and sea museums. So this was okk okk. In Finland there is no vast variety of marine animals. Fishes are collected and exhibited so Finn-children can know them.

Near to Sea-life one Funfair and cinema hall is there. Marry-go-rounds and roller-coaster are there. It would be fun to sit in those in Summer time.

4. Parliament House

Parliament House

Finland Parliament House

5. History Museum:
Another famous museum. This gives tremendous information about Finland, its origin, evolution. I recommend you to visit this one. This is 3 floor building. So plan accordingly. 

History Museum

Wall Painting in H.M.

6. Cathedral

6. Cathedral

7. Upensik Cathedral

7. Upensik cathedral

In south side of Finland, Suomenlinna sea fortress, UNESCO World Heritage site is located. Ferry takes you to this six island fortress.It is nice location to hangout. Scenery and nature are beautiful.

From Helsinki you can go to Tallinn, capital of Helsinki. It is famous for old city, town hall. Pictures and few words about Tallinn in another blog.