Tallinn

When we started writing down places to visit in Finland, we wrote Tallinn. Funny indeed!! It is Capital of Estonia Country. We all wanted to go there via Cruz. We three girls !!!

Three of us were on Business tour to Finland. We had collected information about Tallinn from colleagues who were been there. We planned visiting Tallinn on next weekend once we reached and settled in Finland.

One evening we reached Helsinki to get tickets. We have been told 'X' shop on 'Y' road sells tickets. We were near Campi and walking with Google-maps printout. Stupid me, dint use GPS ;)

On the way I asked one lady how far is 'Y' lane. She was worried, said 'Sorry there is no such lane'. Friends of mine tried explaining lane name to her. The lady was sure there is no such thing.

Suddenly something strike me. I showed printout to her which had destination name. She was smiling now and showed us direction.

"Kittos"

"Welcome" said the lady and we started walking.

Umlaut and Ring !! 

We burst into laughing. We had totally forgot about pronunciation. Walking on stone road in chilly environment was fun. Three of us were enjoying burgers in hand and laptop bags on shoulder.

Shop was now in front of us. One of us read note put on the shop door.

She turned to us, and said "Shop is closed".

Clock-needles were just touching 6. We were discussing among ourselves that shop shutter is not closed, only glass door is closed. Should we knock and check? 

"It closes at 5 pm"
It was very disappointing. To reach shop from Kilo, it took around 1 hour today. So if tomorrow we have to come again, we had to leave early from work. There was so much work, meetings lined up for all of us. So there was no chance for anyone of us to come here.

Before walking down, we had checked online booking. It needed euro-currency-filled account for net booking, which none of us had. ( While writing this blog, laughing on self. I was having Euro-currency debit card. Dint i remember that time or Did I try card and was it incompatible? Again stupidity)

We were now very sad. Sat in tram and then to train for home. Upon reaching we had dinner and slept. None of us were in good mood.

Next morning, we were better. No glimpse of yesterday was there. We got to know that on Cruz boarding terminus we get tickets, no need to go to any shop. And yeah this too closes early. We decided to go to terminus on Saturday, and if possible take tickets for Sunday. So one chilly Saturday, we been to port and bought tickets for next week's Saturday.

Tallinn day rose. Ship was timing was early-morning. We carried jackets, gloves as usual. Tram from Helsinki station to Port was full by people going to Tallinn. We boarded Cruz. Hoooooooo.. 8 story Cruz. It was my first experience to be in Cruz. It is far different than boats or Ferries. It had Cherokee(?), Shopping mall, Bar. Cruz took around 3 hrs to reach Tallinn from Helsinki.

Our ship to Tallinn

inside ship

Inside Ship

Another ship passing

Tallinn is famous for Old-City. We boarded onto Hopon-Hopoff bus. It showed us entire city.

It reached back to Port in an hour or more. We had entire day with us plus there is more fun in walking around than sitting on Bus roof. We walked down to Old-city on our own.

Tallinn's view from bus

Shopping lane

Road towards old city

Old city

St. Olaf's Church

Town hall square

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Defence tower

New city

Amazing city and very well maintained. Wooden articles are famous here. I purchased below one.

I wish to visit this Country again and again.

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.

Take away

After story there comes the moral of the story.

This blog is after my Finland visit

People: 

Geographically distributed people

some are like your mom, who take care of you so nicely

strangers ready to help you figure out correct way

people who give you a look when you laugh in public

people with big heart who come and brighten your life

people whom you understand better once you start living with them

people who makes you forget trouble

people who make you fall in trouble

people are shy about whom you were thinking are egoistic

people who are helpful

people who are nicer when they see some benefit

people who are still same to you despite of your distance

people who love you they way you are

Nation:

Where people live happily

where Forest are preserved

where gardens are made after cutting Forest

where policies are now made Environment friendly

where each process is followed

where people don't spit .throw thrash on roads

where people manage to get down on desired station from crowded railway compartment

where people from other Nation pick thrash in your Nation and throw in dustbin

where Trees change colour per season

where the Sun goes above head and your shadow below your feet

where Culture is followed

where you are forced to follow

where Culture is seen in each day, each festival

where neighbours knock your doors for Sugar than complaining about vacuum cleaner's noise

Ohh Sugar. I missed it so much there. I like Indian Sugar more :)

Pune-Solapur NH 9

Pune-Solapur expressway construction started around 3 years before. Once this road is done, it would be really amazing to drive on this highway. Crossing several bridges, farms, dam. It's scheduled completion is in mid 2012. But looking at its state, progress no one will think it will be completed within remaining 30day.

Below photo speaks a lot about this road 

Board adhered in one of ST depo

Few links for this highway

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-3-years-zip-from-pune-to-solapur-in-just/466359/

http://72.78.249.187/SakaalTimesBeta/20110207/5135544337901570405.htm

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/ROADWAY/work-on-punesolapur-highway-commences

http://www.tata-realty.com/infrastructure.aspx

http://www.ijmindia.com/Current_Projects.htm

Sketched it

 

Sometimes black and white colours are also sufficient to express your charm :)

More finesse is still needed. m happy cos first step is great leap.

Addiction

Life can't be more beautiful than this.

Reading books was my habit at some point of time. Unfortunately had lost contact with books from 2nd year of my job career. I was hardly reading news paper regularly. Deadlines, project-deliveries, UK time difference, live project. Life was bit monotonous. Catch 9, 9.30's bus and reach by 11 to office and in evening (..well it was night ) go by 8.30 s bus. After reaching home, i had no interest in reading even news paper. I had to endure it for few more months.

Soon I switched project and started 9-6 easy happy life. Office-bus was there for pick n drop. This bus was kinda boring. Only an hour of journey to office but many sleeping faces. Non hectic, better than earlier life.

I started carrying Novel to read. In 2 months or three I finished it and was thinking what next ! When hope is there things fall according to you or to benefit you. Accidentally I came across Eclipse book. I was asked to handover one book to a friend. It was other friend who handed me without unwrapping. So I read book name. Eclipse ! Red ribbon laid from top to bottom in book's cover page. 
'Is it related Eclipse IDE?' I asked innocently.
'Ha ha ha. It is a scary vampire story, love story'.
'Ohh might be, I will hand over without fail'
'Thanks' 
So this is how i came across Twilight Series.

Journey of book from my hand to expected hands took a week. Thanks giving ceremony happened again :) 
Days passed. One of my college friends birthday was approaching. We friends decided to gift together. And looking at my office timings and leisure time, task got delegated to me. On weekend I purchased Eclipse from Crossword and headed for my home. Dialed up friends to let them know gift purchased.. I was so luncatic ! I came to know this is 3rd book in a series. I felt so bad on my ignorance.
Hushh, we went to shop to rectify mistake. 3rd Book is costlier than 1st book, so shop owner refused to exchange book and return remaining money. We had not enough time to sit-talk-sort out. I picked two copies of Twilight(1st book in series) and one of New Moon(2nd book in series). I purchased one copy of Twilight and rest two went for wrapping. Celebrated birthday party with the girl. She had not read any of these books nor seen movies. So we knew she will enjoy reading these books.
Next morning I carried book in bus to read.

Book is really nice to read. I took bit more time to finish. Pages were turning yellow as quality of paper was below average.
News was hitting about Eclipse movie. Release date was declared. I had to finish New moon and Eclipse before watching it. When you know each tiny thing, movie seems very bald. Upon reading book i never screamed, never had nightmare. But movies were exception :)
My mother said you screamed yesterday night. Well that's because of Picture effect.

Breaking dawn - my birthday gift.
Colleagues from office bus used to say, 'Soon you will start drinking human blood, roam around with red eyes !'
I enjoyed lime light and laughed with them.
I am in love with the 'love between Bella and Edward'. Being in love is really a nice experience. Life is beautiful.

When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, its not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end. So true.

Twilight series is written keeping Bella at first position. Jacob have got few chapters but not Edward. Still his care, love is seen time to time. They overcame obstacles and poured love onto each other. Do you really have any idea how important you are to me? Any concept at all of how much I love you? I’ll never forgive myself for leaving you. Not if I live a hundred thousand years. He simply asks her, Do i dazzle you? Bella replies in same tone I feel very safe with you.


Not all addictions are bad, addiction of love is good.

Life can't be more beautiful than this.