A Glance Back

Originally, my main plan on traveling Finland this winter was to watch the Northern Light, but unfortunately, I have to still keep it in my bucket list. We cannot beat the weather, that's the traveling...

However, we, my traveling friend Mr. B and I, had a good time indeed.
So many first time experiences like driving husky sleigh, driving snow mobiles on the frozen sea, riding reindeer sleigh, ice fishing, sleeping in snow hotel, dining in snow restaurant, floating on the frozen sea, traveling on an ice breaker, digging in Amethyst mine, sleeping in a glass igloo room and eating reindeer meat.
We didn't experience -20degC though, don't know we should be happy or not, though we were prepared to it.

Finland it's an expensive country for traveling especially for the winter activities in Lapland and the hotels. Somehow I found Finnish people is friendly.

Maybe I would come back again, in search of the Northern Light, and ski to other Lapland cities, like Saariselska and Levi, staying in other igloo glass hotel like Kakslauttanen.

Not often I got a friend to travel together, happy that Mr. B could join me. Happy also to meet our new friend Mr. R, who took us around to several places. Hope to travel with these guys again in the future.

Helsinki, the City

Followed Lonely Planet Walking tour route, more or less.
Sibelius Monument, an artistic monument in the middle of a park, near a frozen river. Was snowing when I was there, but I think it's a nice place.
Olympic Stadium, within walkable distance, about 10-15 minutes from Sibelius monument. Was snowing, so not much things to see. And the tower is not as cool as I thought. Should've checked the Google Images first before visiting. Didn't go inside, might be interesting to see the museum.
Oopperatalo, like opera house, but the building is not spectacular, like Oslo Opera House, not worth it to go.
Temppeliaukion Kirkko, a modern church hewn from solid rock (quoted from LP). Just saw from outside. Unique, but not spectacular.
Finlandia Talo, a concert hall, but the building is not spectacular.
Musiikkitalo, a glass-walled concert hall, near Finlandia Talo.
Tuomiokirkko, or the white cathedral of Helsinki. A huge white building in front of the Senate Square. Might be the most delightful old building in Helsinki.
Uspenskin Katedraali, the beautiful red brick church with high tower, located on Katajanokka island, the same island with the Eurohostel.
Kauppatori, the harborside square. Nice view of the harbour.
Vanha Kauppahalli, the indoor market near Kauppatori. A nice stretch of shops. Several places to eat lunch. Had a salmon cream soup for EUR 9.5.
Kiasma, the museum of contemporary art just next to the train station. EUR 12, upto 20:30. The exhibition opened during my visit was only 1 floor.
Kotiharjun Sauna, a good place to see the local life. The sauna was too hot for us. EUR 12 entrance. Bring your own towel and shampoo tools.

kauppatori

Uspenskin Katedraali,

Sibelius Monument

frozen river near Sibelius Monument

Sibelius Monument

Tuomiokirkko, the white cathedral

kauppatori

Tuomiokirkko

Helsinki tram

Uspenskin Katedraali

this supermarket is everywhere

this convenient store is every where and very convenient

neighborhood near Eurohostel

in front of the central train station

in front of the central train station

the central train station

ski ring in front of the central train station

the central train station

in front of the central train station

the central train station

Helsinki: Eurohostel

Stayed one night in private twin room (EUR 46.4) and one night in a dormitory room (EUR 23 + 3.13 HostelBookers fee).
The dormitory room is a twin room actually, so only 2 persons in the room, which was a luxury.
Location is not that center, but it is OK, 15 minutes by tram from central station. And on the way, we pass some nice sightseeing spots. Printing costed money. The kitchen didn't open at 6AM as said on the paper. Sauna in the evening costs money.

Kemi: Sampo Ice Breaker

The only tourist ice breaker ship in the world, they said. Joined the afternoon trip called Blue Moment Cruise 14-18pm, EUR 481 per person including the snow mobile option, i.e. riding the snow mobile (2 persons in one snow mobile) and joined the cruise in the middle of the sea.
Without the snow mobile I think it would have been EUR 360 per person.
Added late lunch option for EUR 28, but I think it was not worth it, since the original package already included soup with bread, with free refill, so you paid EUR 28 for steak and desert. The coffee was not included.
The cruise itself was so so, though the ship might have broken some thin ice, most of the route was following the previous route, i.e. the ice was already crashed before, so the experience was not that spectacular.
The floating part was good, though due too many persons, had to wait for turn, but they didn't rush, we could float as long as we wanted.
There was very big group from Hongkong that time.

Kemi: Snow Mobile Safari to Sampo Ice Breaker with Reindeer Farm Visit

Instead of boarding from the ship from the harbour, with this option, we rode the snow mobile from above the frozen sea, started from the sea nearby the Snow Castle. We visited a small reindeer farm owned by a Sami. Only few small reindeers were in the farm. We got about 5 minutes reindeer sleigh ride, got a hot blue berry juice and a certificate that we can ride a reindeer sleigh that valid 5 years! The snow mobile ride was quite nice, driving over the vast space of the sea. The ride is long, especially the return ride since the day had become dark and it was snowing. Thermal jacket, shoes helmet and gloves are provided.

the daughter of the Sami is too cute

reindeer salami