Sightseeing, fun and partying :P

The next morning we were so tired and slept rather late and left for the center around noon. It was time to go explore Suomenlinna. Too bad it was SO COLD and WINDY that I knew it would be absolutely terrible there since it's on the sea.. We walked through the center to the place where the raft leaves. We looked the timetables and saw that we would either have to spent almost two hours there or only 40 minutes. We agreed on trying to see the place in only 40 minutes. It didn't help that I didn't remember the places on the island that well even though I actually visited the island couple of years ago.. :P The way to the island took 20 minutes or less and Marie and also me got to admire these huge ice blocks in the sea.

Me and Marie in Suomenlinna

After literally running across the island in 40 minutes  we ran to the raft and made it easily :) Then we walked across the center to Temppelinaukio Church, in which I had never visited before. :) It was peaceful there, so quiet. Which was tough for us not to laugh or speak in there..

Pretty soon (like in five minutes) we got enough from the silence and left towards the center. On our way to eat we stopped at Makuuni which is a film rental place with LOTS of different candies. We were planning to eat candy, rest a bit and watch the movie PS. I love you and listen to its Irish music. :P Then we went to eat to Memphis restaurant in Kamppi and I finally used my 30€ gift card there which I had had over a year.. :P The food was really good and then we left to my place for a movie afternoon. The afternoon went fast since we both fell asleep almost immediately in the beginning of the movie. I woke up just in time to see the end credits.. :P 

Then we took it easy and started to get ready for a night out, again.. And the place wasn't that difficult to figure out since we wanted to hear Irish music and one of the bartenders had asked us to come.

Yes, French people always find french speaking people even from French colonies. No other comments on the pic. Sorry Marie, I had to ;) 

We had such a good time that we even left for an after party and ended up coming home in the morning.. We rested for couple of hours and then headed to the central railway station's ice skating rink to skate. :) We expected some company but never got any. :( so much for trusting people, again..

After an hour of skating or so we were hungry for GREEK FOOD! ;) We walked to Kamppi's greek restaurant Minos to eat. It was SOOO refreshing to hear and speak greek! Although they didn't have that many greek food on the list but at least we got to eat tzatsiki and greek salad.

After "logariasmo parakallo" it was time to rush home just in time to get changed and eat little more to leave to Hyvinkää for my practise. I was happy that my teammate agreed on driving. We were a full car towards our practising place in Hyvinkää. :) 

A day trip to Tallinn

We woke up early to get ready to head towards the harbor to go for a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia by Eckerö Line's new cruise ship: M/S Finlandia. 

It was so much fun the tell or show some things about Finnish people and our habits to Marie on the boat. As soon as we stepped onto the boat all the bars where full of people drinking beer, long drinks, cider or some cocktails. Some brave ones had coffee. It was 9 o'clock in the morning. The band was playing and the most eager ones were already dancing on the floor. Most of the people on the boat are pensioners just spending time and being in engaged in their hobby of dancing. Pretty soon I went to buy Marie a cider and a long drink to taste them since she always drinks beer or wine.

Soon the ship was in the harbor of Tallinn and we went first to see the old town and basically just walked around for three hours to see places near the old town and harbor! Even though I've been there many times I've never explored it the way we did now. :) It was nice.

A bit windy on the deck.. Mission titanic picture: FAILED.

The old town

A place where we ate, very good food! :)

France is always everywhere! 

...so is Greece <3

We only went in to listen to greek music and to take the photo :P

On our way back to Helsinki we succeeded to take the titanic photo even tho the wind was still pretty hard! We enjoyed talking and drinking beer on the way back. :)

We took a tram and a bus back to my place to shower and get changed and the headed towards the bar of Molly Malone's. It was rather empty since it was Tuesday but we had a great great time there listening to the Irish band playing! During the week we got to know the place since it became our hangout place. We also got to know the band and the workers at the bar. :) 

Snowing.. again.. 

Marie and the railway station :P 

Exploring Helsinki

On Monday morning I picked up Marie from the airport and man, was I happy to see her curly hair again!! We went to my place to get her settled and pretty soon headed towards the center of Helsinki by tram to show her some sights. We first hopped of from the tram in front of the Olympic stadium were the Olympics were held in 1952. Then we went to the Olympic tower to see Helsinki from "air". The man selling tickets thought that we are under 17, so we got in with a children's price, 2€.. 

Helsinki from the Olympic tower

Marie and myself :) 

Next we walked to the center. On our way we passed the Opera house, and Finlandia house. Marie also wanted to go stand on the ice of Töölönlahti Bay which I usually avoid even tho I know the ice is strong enough..

Standing on the ice of Töölönlahti

Marie in front of the Finlandia -house

Next it was the national museum (at least I think, not so sure about the museums..), the new music center, Parliament building, Kiasma museum and the railway station. :)

Museum

The parliament building

Kiasma in front and behind some magazine building and behind that the railway station. :) 

Then we felt so cold that we went for a coffee to Cafe Java in center and Marie thought that it was really expensive for just a cup of coffee... Then it was time to show her the store house buildings in the center: Forum, Sokos, Kamppi and Stockmann. After we walked in the Esplanadi park towards the info center and the Havis Amanda statue. :) 

It was time to see the frozen sea and spot some icebergs with her and of course to take our traditional titanic pictures! ;) 

Then we walked passed the president palace and towards the Usbeski Cathedral, which was unfortunately closed so we couldn't check it from inside.

It was absolutely freezing since the wind was so raw that day! It was maybe only -2 or something but the wind made it worse! We walked to Tuomiokirkko (Helsinki Cathedral) which is probably one of the most famous sights in Helsinki. For the first time, I also visited inside it and it looked really nice. :)

After it was time to go somewhere warm again! We headed to McDonalds for milkshakes and to gossip after a lonnnggg time! :) Then we walked across the railway station and the public skating place in the center and took a bus to hope to rest and watch a movie since the next day we had an early wake up towards TALLINN, Estonia! ;)