its H o l i d ay !!
But not in Finland.. Holiday season starts already in June and in August its back to normal again little by little.. nurseries open doors.. and schools starts in couple of weeks.
Allthough Im always complaining the weather.. it has been nice as well. Nicer than I remembered actually.. there has been many days the temperature has hit 40 in my balcony! Its always a joy to have a small baby on summertime as no need to dress so much and can be outdoors.. Also, Helsinki is not that ugly at all on summertime.. its very pretty city and has many jewels hiding to be enjoyed.
This is Suomenlinna - Sveaborg. One of my favorite places in Helsinki.. fortress built on 6 islands in front of the city, they started building this place already 1748 and it has been in military use until 1972. Nowadays Suomenlinna is a Unesco World Heritage site. Around 800people lives there all year round.. but not just anyone.. you have to have lived there, know the people.. before you can even start thinking about buying a home there or rent a one. 2 different ferries goes to this island in every 20mins or so from early morning till 2am, there is a tunnel as well, but as far as I have understood its for ambulance and emergency use. Nowadays the only military left is Naval Academy, all other old army buildings are used as homes, cafes, restaurants, little shops. Many artists lives in the island or have their ateljes's there. There is even an Art School. One hostel I have seen but no other hotels or businesses. One restaurant called Walhalla is fine dining and in popular use for instance for state visits and other political events.
The Church on Suomenlinna is very very very popular wedding church during summer months, as well as the outdoor theatre they have with one play they do all summer, its almost every night sold out.
Very beautiful relaxed place.. even though its super popular place for a day trip, both tourists and people in Helsinki, its still always peaceful and quiet. There is a small beach and huge green areas to just sit and chill and enjoy the nature. I like this place very much and always try find time to go there when Im in Helsinki. I think its cool to walk around and wonder how the life was there when the fortress was in full use and hundreds of people lived there.
Helsinki has many beautiful parks and its very green city in summertime, but we also have something even more hot hot hot here each year.. Samba Carnival! I also like this day very much! Samba schools from all over the country come for one weekend for a huge carnival in Helsinki and dance on the streets as a competition. They practise all year and build and decorate the carriages in their procession.
It takes hours and its all SAMBA!
was super lovely hot day this year, Im happy for them! ( some years it has been raining )
Colours, Music, Drums, Happy People! Wohoo!
I think the market square we have in Helsinki has changed enormously through the years.. Its not that many years ago it was still the place to buy fruits, veggies, potatoes, fish, herbs and berries and flowers. Now its getting more and more a tourist market each year. I was very suprised to see how many souvenier stands there is nowadays and all kind of food stands selling most wierd looking paellas ( I mean really,.. since when did Paella have watermelon in it?? ) .. Anyhow, its still busy every day of the week its open, but its not the same anymore.. ( or Im getting old.. ) for grocery and flower shopping I like much more Hakaniemen Tori with also a Market Hall attached to it. But still, city center market sqaure - its a must thing to do.
Coffee at the market square, I gotta have it!
one other funky thing I did this summer.. hahaaa. I had lunch in the sky! yesyesyes! its second year now this "circus" comes to town.. its owned by a German company ( I was told ) but this restaurant tours only on Baltic countries. They do lunch, afternoon drinks, dinner and then champagne late evenings. Was veeery funky feeling to get up there.. We had 3 course menu made by a French Chef of a Michelin star restaurant. Monsiuer was there himself as well.. up in the sky putting portions to the plates. Cant really say that these mini-portions took hunger away.. but was supercool experience!
Best summer present ever this one I got from my old old friend :)
Menu : Alexandre Gauthier / La Grenouillère (FRA)
I have been also enjoying a lot the summer wild flowers you can find here on the fields..
or just run around there and enjoy the unique beautiful nature we have in this semi-siberia.
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