Friends, finally I come around to writing something here. Ever since leaving it’s been a constant flood of experiences and events leaving me overjoyed but also very exhausted. And I told myself before leaving that the writing of this blog should not be a chore, so I didn’t force my tired self to write anything. But now I’m sitting in a wonderfully warm bubble bath, Frida and Jascha are out at a bar and everything is calm. Perfect for writing up an update on our first week.
First of all I should mention that I am typing this on my phone, so excuse any spelling errors, I am really not one who likes or is proficient at writing on my phone. But now let’s start.
Heading to Finland
It all began Sunday the 30th, so last weekend. Early in the morning I prepared my food for the train ride, ate breakfast with my parents and then it was finally time to head out. To be honest the whole experience was more than surreal. For years this dream has been a construct in my mind, a life line, a happy place and it was really hard or almost impossible to comprehend that it’s all become reality now.
I cycled to the train station trying to wrap my head around the whole situation but my future self now knows that these efforts were mundane. Still, as of writing this I am not quite realizing that all of this is really happening. Well, I’ve made it to the platform and after I got my bike and bags safely stowed in the ICE (German high speed train) I felt quite relieved. Getting everything on board fast enough had worried me a bit. Well onwards to Hamburg I went. Seven hours and a couple minutes later I arrived and as I set to prepare for disembarking the train I’ve met all the other people who transported their bicycles. We started to chat and it turned out that we all had similar ideas, most heading to Sweden whilst one woman was heading home after touring the Rhineland. We all needed to transfer to the regional train to Lübeck/Travemünde though so I was delighted to have these like minded souls around for the next two hour train ride. I had a really lovely chat with that woman heading home to Lübeck especially, talking about our studies, cities we’ve been to and cycling experiences. It felt like meeting a friend I never knew I had. It was similar with a young man from Biel in Switzerland who would join me all the way to the port as he was heading to Sweden with a ferry. We talked about our planning, equipment, our excitement and worries and once we made it to our stop we cycled down to the port together. And there I finally met up with Jascha and Frida. It felt incredibly good to have months of planning finally come to reality and actually have the two in front of me. This is really happening. It’s real.
Getting onto the ferry turned out to be quite the adventure, I had to cycle up the ginormous ramp that all the trucks and cars were going up to as well and doing so felt like cycling into the opening of big monsters mouth. Once inside I got to stow my bike in a corner on the car deck that was swimming in grease and oil and I couldn’t really lean it onto anything, so I was quite scared to just leave it standing there. Would it fall, it would be ruined forever. So I just prayed for a calm sea.
Our cabin was wonderful and had everything one could hope for on a 32 hour ferry journey. Our own small bathroom with shower and three quite comfortable beds. With all our luggage it was very cramped though, but that was just perfect for that ship feeling. At this point we had waited for boarding for four hours and it was almost midnight so we all just wanted to go to bed. We did. But not for long. Just as we all settled down there was an announcement made over the speaker in our room that a compulsory emergency training would take place on the deck above us in a minute so we scrambled to get dressed again and hurry up there but by the time we made it the demonstration was already pretty much over and it turned out that only one other couple even bothered showing up. Quite amused we headed back to bed.
The next day was extremely calm and relaxing. We went to explore our ferry, the Finnmaid, a bit and sat on the sundeck reading or napping in our cabin. Oh and in the evening we played some scrabble where Jascha absolutely dominated us with superior luck. We packed everything and made sure we’d be ready to disembark quickly on the next morning after waking up.
Helsinki
The next day we woke up and went right on to disembarking the ferry. This is where all of our stress levels were the highest. Although we should be allowed across the border it was still a little bit unsure and to see it all fall apart at the border would’ve been heart crushing. But after quite intense questioning I was waved through and there I was. In Helsinki, Finland. Completely overwhelmed and not comprehending quite yet how monumental that moment was I went to meet up with Jascha and Frida who also got across the border fine and already met up with Max, our friend in Helsinki. Since the hotel that Max got us for a really cheap rate wasn’t ready for check-in yet we decided to go to Max’s place and drop off our stuff before going for a little hike into the woods surrounding Helsinki where Jascha, Max and his friends would climb on a big boulder. After a quick detour to the grocery store and pizzeria we walked there (thanks Max for getting lost around three times, leading us through marshland) and whilst Jascha, Max and Co were climbing the boulder, Frida and I watched any made our first acquaintance with the Finnish mosquito population. Eventually we walked back to Max’s got our stuff and checked in at the hotel. And oh my lord is the hotel a dream. Insane views coupled with a rooftop pool and sauna and a room with our own bathtub this is a gift that has yet to stop giving.
Obviously we went right to the pool and sauna after dropping our things in our room. Not much to say there other than that it’s the absolute dream. Relaxing, amazing view and just perfect for settling down and digesting all the crazy events that are transpiring. And sauna just cleanses my mind and soul – there are few things better than sweating in a Finnish wooden box.
The next day we decided to mainly relax and settle in. We had an amazing breakfast, Jascha and Frida went to get swimming trunks whilst a went back to napping before we met up with Max at the famous Oodi library.
What an incredible building. Makes one really envy living or even better studying in Helsinki. Architecturally it’s very interesting with it’s wavy look and specially designed ceiling to trap any noise so you can talk in the library without disturbing anyone. We went and spent some good social time on the terrace with a wonderful view onto the central government building of Finland, the famous Finlandia and just very nice greenery in general. At that point it was still quite hard to really grasp that I am sitting here and all of this is really happening but nontheless it felt like one constant wave of joy and worry free state of mind. Eventually we walked back to the hotel, seeing a bit more of Helsinki and it’s open and spaceous design. It truly is a wonderful city. Once at our hotel room, it was pool time again, followed by dinner and a very funny and goofy evening of watching YouTube videos together.
The next day Jascha went bouldering with Max, so Frida and I channeled our touristy self’s and went off to explore Helsinki. Boy was it worth it! I don’t even know where to begin! We went to walk through Kaivopuisto first, a big park with a little plateau to view over the city.
From there we went to the Observatory park and hill, another bit of greenery, just as lovely as the first one. By accident we then stumbled over the diplomatic district with some quite stunning buildings and a really calm air about it. From there we headed to the senate with a market square in front of it where we ate some delicious veggies, falafel and onion rings. Onwards we went to see Katajanokka, a quiet district on a peninsula that was said to be great for walks. But probably most dominant there was the Uspenskin katedraali, a church of immaculate beauty, sitting on a small plateau, shining upon the city around it. What an impressive building. The inside was very pompous and memorable with all it’s paintings and valuable items.
As planned we walked along the shoreline of the peninsula and enjoyed the calm neighbourhood. We had an interesting encounter with the Finnish icebreaker fleet – a quite impressive sight. I didn’t know that Finland was such a leader in the whole icebreaking business. They built 80% of the world’s 150 icebreakers and designed 60% of them.
Both our feet started to be quite unhappy by now so we decided to just head towards the Helsingin tuomiokirkko, the most dominant landmark of Helsinki and wait for Jascha there before heading to the now incredibly craved pool and sauna. But back to Helsingin tuomiokirkko. Again, I find it hard to find words for buildings like that. They are just remarkable and always seem not quite real in their scale. Maybe this is how people in the future will feel about the skyscrapers of our time.
Whilst we were waiting there for Jascha we got to witness the preparation of what looked like the filming of a car chase – really fascinating stuff.
Once back and recuperated after a heavily pool and sauna session we just ate dinner and relaxed in our beds until Jascha decided to go for a late night walk. We decided to join and so we went on what is maybe the highlight of the trip for me so far. We just walked around in the residential area near the hotel but there was something so liberated and worry free about it. Goofing around near midnight on playgrounds, having fun conversations whilst strolling down the empty streets of Helsinki in magical midnight light. Truly magical.
It’s also where this gem of a photo was taken that I can’t withhold. Especially since I know family of Frida is reading this.
On to the next day. An equally eventful and wonderful experience. We first went to Korkeasaari zoo located on an island not far from the city centre. Although a lot of the exhibits were either listed as currently empty or the animals were sleeping it was still a very fun and worthwhile experience, just for the social aspect alone. Highlights would be to see an active red pand in it’s full cuteness, a baby wallaby peaking out of it’s mother’s pouch and being able to tell the bears there that their friends in the wild should please not come say hello in our tent.
After the zoo and an exceptional vegan Asian food truck experience we went to visit Suomenlinna, an old fortress on an island just off from the mainland. Originally it was built by the Swedish Monarchy, but saw it’s longest use by the Russian empire, before serving as an artillery, anti air and submarine station in WW II. Yet again it was an incredible place, loaded with history which to me is always incredibly captivating as well as views that are not easily matched.
But all good days have to come to an end and so did this one. With? You guessed it; pool and sauna followed by a late night walk (although only me and Frida went outside again this time). I consider myself incredibly lucky to have such wonderful company with me for the beginning of this trip and feel very grateful for the nice and deep talk we had on that walk yesterday. The days fly by but what remains is memories worth gold and a feeling of living life in a way I’ve never done before – full with joy and laughter.
Which leaves me with today. Finally a day where I can’t write too much about because I spent most of it doing nothing. I woke up in a bit of a weird mood and realized a bit of me time and less action is what I need right now. So whilst Frida and Jascha went to buy some electronics they still needed for their travels I stayed in bed and only joined them for an afternoon of doing nothing on the Oodi library terrace. I went ahead as they first got some lunch and just enjoyed the weather and view on the terrace, combine with the good company of my e-reader. Eventually they joined me and we had a relaxing time talking about loads of stuff whilst bathing in the sun. Once back, I let the two check out the hotels Skybar and then we watched the Ice Hockey World championships semi finals of Finland against Germany together with Max on a voice call which was hilarious. Especially since neither Jascha nor Frida knew anything about the rules and as soon as I mentioned the fighting in the sports Frida just started shouting for them to drop the gloves. Now I’m sitting in a warm bath whilst they’re out with Max at an open air bar. As I said – I needed some good me time.
It’s been a pleasure to finally share my experiences with you friends and next time we’re maybe already on the road, who knows. I’ll leave you with some more pictures and wish you a good night!
Raphael's Travel Blog 
Wunderschön – ich bin dabei!
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