Nathan's Insights

Saturday 06 April 2024
Highlights: Landing in a snow-capped Helsinki, exploring the Senaatintori (Senate Square), climbing the steps to the magnificent Helsinki Cathedral, visiting the Kauppatori (Market Square) on the edge of the Baltic Sea, exploring the Temppeliaukio Rock Church.

Our trip exploring Europe began today after a 13.5 hour overnight flight from Singapore to Helsinki (review). The first surprise was how much snow there was on the ground, and this is second month of Spring in Europe!

We landed around 6.25 am and were though Border Control with our bags at the Hilton Helsinki Airport Hotel around 7.00 am. While we were too early to check into our hotel room we could get changed into some warmer clothes. With our bags secured at reception we headed to the Airport train station determined to see something of Helsinki and stay awake to adjust to an eight hour time zone difference.

Our daily train ticket covering Zones A, B and C costs 11.00 euros each with the trip to the Helsinki Central Train station taking just over 30 minutes. The scenes of the frozen landscape gave me an energy kick and a sense of joy, it’s been a long time since I’ve experienced snow and I wasn’t expecting it. A number of times both myself and Darby almost slipped over due to the frozen ground and snow.

For this trip I’d downloaded and subscribe to GPSmyCity app which costs around $22 AUD. For this who get travel articles on 100s of countries and cities. More importantly you get suggested walking tours and audio description of many of the important locations.

The suggested tour had as starting at Senaatintori (Senate Square). This massive square was surround by Finnish history including the Government Palace (which the Senate used until 1918 when replaced by the Council of State), and the Helsinki University.

But the highlight was the stunning Helsinki Cathedral built between 1830 and 1852.

We then moved onto the Kauppatori (Market Square) which didn’t actually have many stalls open today but still looked great on the edge of the Baltic Sea. Very nearby was the Vanha Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall) which had numerous stalls, the biggest selling item here appeared to be reindeer-based food like reindeer burgers.

We then stopped outside the Ateneum Art Museum but unfortunately it was shut when we were there so we couldn’t go in to see the displays. You could however see many sculptures on the outside of the building.

We then visited both the Helsinki Central Railway Station (our starting point to learn about its history) and then moved onto Kamppi Chapel of Silence a non-denominational spot for people to reflect on life.

The last major place to explore was the Temppeliaukio Rock Church. I had been here before but still it’s architectural marvel built into solid rock. Being covered in snow was also different to my summer visit. It costs 8 euros to go inside and to listen to some music, to reflect and enjoy this very unique church.

From here we were tired an hungry so it was back by train to Helsinki Airport to again enjoy the landscape. At the airport we got lunch and caught up on world news and entertainment. I saved saving and sharing trip photos and reflecting on the first two days of this trip.

The Helsinki Hilton Hotel then checked us in and returned our bags. After a very quick visit to Executive Lounge, Darby enjoyed a shower and a catnap. It had been a very long 40+ hours at this point since waking up on Friday morning back in Melbourne.

I got to enjoy the Hilton Executive Lounge and reflect on the first two days and the experiences ahead while enjoying some finger food and a drink. Back in Europe again with some many new cities and countries ahead.