We had booked seats for the early afternoon train to Rovaniemi, which is close to the Arctic Circle. There were a few hours before the train left Helsinki. So, we walked via an unfamiliar route to Temppeliaukio Church, popularly known as Rock Church because it is built directly into solid rock. The church attracted nearly … Continue reading / view photos Rock church and train to Lapland
National Library, Suomenlinna and sauna
National Library This morning’s cultural exploration of Helsinki began at the impressive National Library of Finland. This houses the largest Russian literature collection outside of Russia. The ornate, neo-classical nineteenth-century building was designed by C L Engel, who also designed Helsinki Cathedral. On entering, we were quickly in the beautiful Cupola Hall. In the Slavonic … Continue reading / view photos National Library, Suomenlinna and sauna
Helsinki Art Museum and Cathedral
I’m reading the entertaining A Short History of Finland (by J Clements, 2022) at the moment. The book mentions Espoo, which, this morning, we passed through on the way to Haltia. The book includes some of the many myths and legends of Finland. During a period in Scandinavian history, called the Kalmar Union (1397-1523), Denmark, … Continue reading / view photos Helsinki Art Museum and Cathedral
Taiwan earthquake
Beyond broadening the mind, travel has a remarkable ability to forge profound connections to distant places. Through firsthand experience, you can cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and compassion towards the people and cultures encountered along the way. Before my visit to Taiwan, I admittedly knew little about the island. And if it had remained … Continue reading Taiwan earthquake
Haltia — gateway to Nuuksio
On Sunday, many places are shut in Helsinki. So we headed to Haltia, The Finnish Nature Centre. It was a popular start for hiking in Nuuksio National Park. Google Maps said the 80-minute journey needed two buses to get there. We walked to the first bus stop but couldn’t find it. Then we saw a … Continue reading / view photos Haltia — gateway to Nuuksio
Oodi — an ode to community
Oodi – which means ode in Finnish – is Helsinki’s Central Library. The original idea of a central library was floated in 1988. The Oodi leaflet for newcomers goes on to say that construction eventually began in 2015 and was opened a few years later to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence. In … Continue reading / view photos Oodi — an ode to community
Design museum, coffee and cake
Our first full day in Helsinki started with a walk to the Design Museum. Since it was Saturday, I was expecting to see lots of people out and about, shopping, and going to places. However, despite being 10am, the streets were fairly empty. When we got to the Design Museum, it was shut! Opening time … Continue reading / view photos Design museum, coffee and cake
A drizzly and cold Helsinki
After we’d boarded the plane, the pilot announced there would be an hour’s delay. We’d missed our slot. The passengers collectively groaned. Just as we’d accepted our fate, we were moving on the runway: the pilot said we’d been given another slot for take-off. We’d soon be flying to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, and … Continue reading / view photos A drizzly and cold Helsinki
Windsor walk and London march
Last November, on Armistice Day, it was a crisp autumnal day, and the sky was blue for the start of a group walk from Datchet to Windsor. We saw a monument and statues for the Magna Carta, which is a royal charter of rights agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, … Continue reading / view photos Windsor walk and London march
London Loop — section 9
This was my concluding section of the London Loop, from Kingston to Hatton Cross, a total of 16km. I’d started the 242km walk three years ago! Since my fellow London Loop walker had finished, I went with another friend. We were lucky to have such a beautiful day. I’d never been to Bushy Park, the … Continue reading / view photos London Loop — section 9