hkskyline's 2009 HELSINKI Photo Series #1

[hkskyline]

Helsinki Surprise
My trip to Finland was extremely random and not originally on my plan. I had a week in Europe as a transit point between Canada and Hong Kong, and was searching for a cost-effective side trip. I didn't want to stay in ultra-expensive London for too long. If I had to pay a fortune a day, I might as well see a new place.

While I searched for cheap hotels, I realized one of the hotel loyalty programs had a special. Looking through what was available in Europe, the only larger cities featured were Porto and Helsinki. Having been to Lisbon last year, I chose Helsinki.

1. Finnair has a significant network to Asia. But I flew in with easyJet from London.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090528/IMG_7787.jpg

2. The Central Railway Station is quite clean and tidy. The architectural style is quite interesting. It's not totally Art Deco, but something of a hybrid?

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4636.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4639.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4637.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4643.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4645.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4648.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4650.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090526/IMG_5506.jpg

10. Rautatientori is a huge square next to the railway station. But I think it's too big and not intimate enough with its surroundings. Hence, it doesn't seem too busy in there.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4657.jpg

11. Europe has some really modern trams.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4654.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4660.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4661.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4667.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4668.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4672.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4676.jpg

18. I ventured north and headed across Kaisaniemi Park looking for the lake.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4679.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4683.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4678.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4680.jpg

22. These trains look a bit aged though ...

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4684.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4686.jpg

24. Here's the lake. A number of boats were parked onshore along the waterfront. It seemed quite serene.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4695.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4705.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4709.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4708.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4715.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4721.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4719.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4724.jpg

32. Don't look back.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4732.jpg

33. I knew there must be some nostalgic old trams. Come to think of it, I don't think I actually rode on one of these whilst in Helsinki. I walked everywhere, and the hotel was right in the heart of town.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4725.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4741.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4744.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4743.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4726.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4731.jpg

39. Here's another big square. Again, it seems deserted. Being blocked from the buildings by streets on three sides really kills the street life.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4766.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4770.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4772.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4775.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4778.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4755.jpg

45. Helsinki is surrounded by plenty of water. Water has a wonderful calming effect, and makes cityscapes ever more pretty.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4746.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4748.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4752.jpg

48. I try to visit at least one touristy local market in every city I visit. Hakaniemi Market was tidy and organized, and had plenty of one of my favourite foods - smoked salmon.

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4782.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4780.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4783.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4784.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4785.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4786.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4787.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4788.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4789.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki/20090525/IMG_4793.jpg

With some mental sustenance from all that looking, in the next part, I will take you around the city centre a bit more.

I've uploaded most of my Helsinki photos on my website : http://www.globalphotos.org/helsinki.htm

[ColDayMan]

Thanks!

[staff]

Nice pics!!

[ady26]

The last photos from the local market look tasty!

[sznter]

Wonderful tour! And so refreshing that it didn't start right away with the neoclassical sights of the city. :) Usually the Senate Square and its surroundings are way too overrepresented in threads like this, and I do understand why, but Helsinki is so much more than that.

[FREKI]

Great ones mate! :)

I'm guessing it's cheese in the last pic?