I had tried to change my 1200 ferry to 1000 so I’d have a little extra time in Helsinki. As I had bought a very good promotional fare, the fare difference to pay on changing it was too huge so I left it. I walked to the ferry terminal about 1030. I didn’t want to set off too late even though check-in opens only 20 mins before the 1200 departure, just in case heavy rain delayed my walk.
I got to the terminal just before 1100 to see the TV monitor saying all departures cancelled but boat arriving at 1140. I clarified the situation and learnt that the Linda Line catamaran was coming from Helsinki but it wasn’t going back.
They lady at the counter rebooked me on to the Eckero Line’s big ferry leaving at the same time of 1200. I had just just made the booking cut-off time of 1100 for the 1200 departure. I walked to Terminal A about 10 minutes away.
Fortunately it didn’t rain during the unsheltered walk and I boarded the Finlandia for the 2h30 crossing. The travel time is an hour longer than the catamaran so I’d be an hour late. This small hiccup could have been so much worse.
The big ship had no public bench or aircraft type seats. Only restaurant, cafe and bar style seating. I managed to stay put near a bar and did a lot of admin on my computer (with internet) until we were in the slightly choppy waters. Then
I couldn’t concentrate because I felt a little sick. It certainly didn’t look bad enough for the catamaran to be cancelled. It felt a little too long before I saw land and the sea became calmer as we approached Helsinki. Google Maps didn’t give me the best public transport to my hostel, Diana Park, but my friend Sami fortunately WhatsApp’ed me the best route which was tram 6T.
My former dive buddy from Sipadan, Samu has just moved back from China a month ago and we were meeting up at 1700. That gave me a couple of hours to explore the city on my own. I walked to the Market Square and Senate Square nearby. The weather had turned from gloomy and cool to a glorious sunshine.
Samu turned up slightly late. As usual, he was thinking of too many things at one time. He offered me two options: go around Helsinki on Meeko (his brand of electric-powered scooter) or go to Suomenlinna with his dog Peto. I opted for the former as I had the ABC syndrome (Another Bloody Church/Castle) already and that’s what we would see in Suomenlinna apparently.
We dropped Peto with Samu’s mum and went to a parked van to unload two Meekos. He taught me how to ride it as as I had never been on a scooter, skateboard or snowboard it took a while before I enjoyed myself. We went to Loyly sauna for a drink which was located on a waterfront area, then some new business park area and finally returned to my area. We rode on the roads, footpaths and on many cycleways.
We still had plenty of time because of the long summer days so we picked up Peto and drove to Market Square to take the short ferry ride to Suomenlinna. Suomenlinna isn’t one island but six interconnected islands of six islands dotted with fortification, bunkers, cannons, homes and probably just one church.
We walked around some of the different islands and got some pretty good views. At one place, a huge ferry (cruiseliner size) passed between us and a very nearby island. It was quite a sight and I thought there was very little room for error.
It was around 2130 by the time we ate back on the mainland at Cafe No 9 under my hostel. Considering I only got to the hostel at 1500, I’ve had a very good look around Helsinki.
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- Market Square.
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- Helsinki Cathedral on Senate Square.
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- Swimming pool being built in the waters of Helsinki.
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- A nervous and forced smile as I try the Meeko scooter.
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- View from Loyly sauna and bar rooftop.
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- At Loyly sauna and bar rooftop.
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- A nervous and forced smile as I try the Meeko scooter.
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- Feeling more comfortable on the Meeko Scooter.
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- On the way to Suomenlinna, a fortress island.
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- On the way to Suomenlinna, made up of six interconnected fortified islands.
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- On the way to Suomenlinna, made up of six interconnected fortified islands.
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- On the way to Suomenlinna, made up of six interconnected fortified islands.
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- Suomenlinna, being a fortress built on six islands, is heavily fortified.
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- On Suomenlinna.
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- Suomenlinna, being a fortress built on six islands, is heavily fortified.
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- Looking back to Helsinki from Suomenlinna island.
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- With Peto, the world’s luckiest dog. He was a stray in China and was brought back here.
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- Peto, the world’s luckiest dog. He was a stray in China and was brought back here.
