Pure excitement: We're going to the other side of the Baltic Sea! Finland is hot and then on to the top. After the Baltic states were so beautiful, we are looking forward to Scandinavia.
Helsinki - a lively port city
We left the ferry in Helsinki around 2:30 p.m. local time. The ferry ride itself was quiet and the 2 hours were over quickly. When we arrived in Helsinki, we first did service at a campsite; i.e. water, sewage and toilet. Then Sonja and we drove to a parking lot just outside Helsinki, where we have the 2 of Piet dream tripwe wanted to meet in Latvia. From this square you have a beautiful view of the city, especially in the evening with sunset and lighting. In the evening we all sat together for a long time and chatted, including whether we would visit the city together the next day.
Basti and I sleep a little longer than other campers. When we got up, Sabrina and Jan were already on their way to town and Sonja shortly afterwards. Sometimes I think we're too cozy after all…. At noon we walked into town because the weather was also very pleasant. One could cross the river via a pedestrian bridge. We laughed at the bridge. On the left side of us were two stone turtles that had signs and directions for the zoo. There was graffiti on the bridge showing the direction of the Human zoos indicated. It was really well done.
The way to the old town was really long and led us along the water. What we noticed is that Helsinki has a stone coast. There are large and small stones in and around the water everywhere. Many of them are so big that they can even fit a small house. Something different than what you are used to.
When we arrived in the old town, the first thing we did was look at an orthodox church from the outside. The Uspensky Cathedral is one of the largest in Europe. Due to its elevated location on a small hill, you have a wide view of the city and from up here you can see where it is best to go next.
Next we walked to the small harbor and market square. Here you can take a boat tour or eat something at the market and sit and buy fresh vegetables and fruit. There are also small cafes all around, where you can sit outside when the weather is nice.
It went on to Senate Square with the one above Dom. The square is centrally located in Helsinki and is a good starting point for exploring the city. It's huge and that day there were stalls all around with food and drinks. The square itself was filled with small tables and chairs and also well attended. Having walked up a few steps, one stood in front of the cathedral. This was already very impressive and with the columns all around it looks a bit like a Roman temple. From up there you have a wide view over Senate Square and the roofs of Helsinki.
We're slowly getting hungry. But first we need an ATM. Not easy. So far we hadn't discovered any and, according to Google, we still have to walk halfway through the city center to get to the railway station finally to find one. The station is nice to look at again. Four huge figures adorn the entrance to the train station and hold white balls in their hands.
Now that we had money, we walked back through town in search of some affordable food, and ended up having a hearty crepe in the small harbor on the market. Finja won the saleswoman's heart again and got a free portion of ham. Yes, we often experience that with her ...
After refreshment, we were able to make our way back to the bus. Here in Helsinki, too, there is an incredible amount of construction going on near the water. Apartment buildings are just popping up. And that although there are already many new buildings here. After 5 hours and 11 km of walking we are finally back on the bus. We are all totally overwhelmed and look forward to a cozy evening. When we arrive at the square, we are very happy that Pietstraumreise is unexpectedly still there and that we still have some time together.
For more information about Helsinki have a look at the explorers past.
Saimaa Lake - very large with nice parking spaces all around
On the way to Lake Saimaa, we first stopped at a large Prisma shopping center. There was shopping and laundry to be done. Washing is really expensive here in Finland! For 2 washing machines and 1 dryer you put down 28 euros! So often we won't wash here. Although Norway could possibly be a bit more expensive.
After we had done some service, we met the 2 lovely people from Pietstraumreise and spent the next 5 days at Lake Saimaa with them. We spent the first night on a small island near Lappeenranta.
Sabrina and Jan drove ahead and found a super nice place.
The four of us made ourselves comfortable, ate and chatted together and spent the evening by the lights and candles. Later there was a great sunset that was worth some picture taking. The next day we all worked a bit and Sabrina baked a delicious apple pie with the Omnia. A little later an older man stopped and said we weren't allowed to stand there or stay the night. There was no private sign at this place. But in order not to get into trouble with the owner, we drove to another place.
How lucky we were that the owner chased us away. The next place was on the other side of the lake at Taipalsaari and had fire pits and a nice beach. Here we stood for the next 2 nights directly on the beach with a view of the water and spent nice, cozy days. A bit of work, an incredible amount of talk and being in the water. Bathing and hair washing were the order of the day. The water temperature doesn't feel above 15 degrees and it took me an incredibly long time to be completely wet. But once you're inside, you can also swim and the temperature is bearable.
It went on around the lake and for the next 2 days and nights the 4 of us stood on a former campsite near Puumala. Although the site has been abandoned, it is still well attended. No wonder, as it is again beautifully located on the water with a great view. The weather wasn't always good. It was pretty windy and therefore cold. But we all made the best of it. In the evening the men go out to photograph the sunset. We women had made ourselves comfortable on the bus and just talked.
With Sabrina and Jan we had quite a few "first times" with food:
1. Make wraps on the go. We haven't come up with the idea ourselves yet and it's a simple and quick dish. Definitely makes it on our list of dishes.
2. Sandwich toast. My birthday present from last year was finally used. And they were really delicious. It's just a shame that you don't eat “together” because the next one has to wait for his toast.
3. Homemade fries. For the first time the grill was unpacked and then we ate homemade fries. We were all curious to see how baking in the grill would work. But it worked perfectly and they were really delicious!
Well, then the next day came and we parted ways. We were all sad because we had been together for a total of 8 days since Tallinn. It was an unbelievably great experience for us to meet lovely people on the way and then to travel on with them. Since the two of them travel through Europe for about two years, just like us, we naturally had a lot of topics to talk about. You just got along well straight away and of course it's funny when they part ways. We hope to see each other again sometime, which cannot be ruled out. The time was just good for us. Sometimes it was necessary to just live a bit into the day and relax.
You can find more pictures in the Finland photo gallery.
