I am SO tired! But it's great to be walking around again. As good as Topdeck was, sitting on the bus for 12 days was not good for my fitness or my hips. My jeans feel a little tighter than before haha. So as tired as I am I am happy to be exercising lots again!
Last night was really good. I went for dinner with Emma, Dan, Ben, Susie and Mel. We found a reasonably priced Finnish restaurant and I enjoyed sautéed reindeer with potato mash and lingonberries, and haloumi with cloudberry jam for dessert. Yummmmmm!!!
Then we headed back to the hostel and met the others. We all walked to a place called M Bar which coincidentally was 100m from our apartment and right around the corner from the train station. We had a great night catching up for what would be my last night on tour. Jess turned 23 at midnight so we counted down and sang happy birthday to her!!! Mum and dad finally arrived in town by bus at 1am so I said my goodbyes to everyone (lots of hugs and trying not to be sad!) and went and met them at the station. On the way back I walked mum and dad past the bar and waved to everyone, they got a huge cheer and a round of applause from the Topdeck group as I had told them of all the delays mum had put up with!!
I had a really great time on Topdeck. Met some more fantastic people who I hope to catch up with in the future. A few are in Melbourne so that'll be good, and next time I'm in Sydney or Adelaide or Perth I have a few people to visit too!!! But it was so good to see mum and dad! Poor mum looked like a zombie after her epic never ending journey from Melbourne to Helsinki. But she was finally here - yay!!
Today we woke up about 8.30am. Took our time getting reedy and headed out about 9.30. Our first stop was the underground church. I already went yesterday but thought mum and dad should have a look!
Our Finnish family friend, Maarit, had recommended a few foods for us to try as she grew up here. So next we headed to the train station and bought a Finnish meat pie with sausage in it called Lihapiirakka Nakilla. It was yum!!!
We spent most of the day just walking around seeing what we could see. It was a beautiful sunny day so it was lovely walking around!! We went and had a look at both the main cathedrals; Helsinki Cathedral and Upspendki Cathedral. The first was very plain inside but nice on the outside, and the latter quite decorative both inside and out. My church count is now at 7 this trip!
After this we had a look at the Kauppatori (the market square). There were lots of arts and crafts as well a fresh fruit and hot food. We bought a punnet of raspberries which were amazing !!! Then we had the second food recommended by Maarit; a Finnish donut filled with Apple jam. Again - yum! Thank you Maarit!
We walked through the shopping district and back to Helsinki cathedral as we saw lots of people gathering. There was a gay pride march on with loud music and colourful banners everywhere!
Next stop was the National History Museum which was huge. We saw and read about everything from prehistory to medieval times to the 20th century. I didn't know that Finland only became an independent country in 1917! Before this Russia controlled them, and once they became independent a civil war happened.
After this we had a bit of a rest as we were quite tired. Then we went to a restaurant I found in my guidebook called Konstan Mölja. We paid €18 each for a buffet including salmon soup, pork, reindeer, potatoes, various appetisers and bread and other meats too. It was delicious! Very good value for Helsinki as well.
After dinner we went for a walk to the Sibelius monument. On the way back we walked by the lake and through a very leafy cemetery. It was a nice walk.
We've had a great day but are so tired! Mum's Fitbit bracelet that dad bought for her birthday measures how far we walk each day and today we walked 18km! We are now watching extra time of Brazil vs Chile.
Love to all
Claire
Xoxox
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