Blog

I say my farewell to Ilkka and thank him for offering me a free night, and head out to the station. Direction: Helsinki. Already the landscape is getting less and less snowy. Feels almost like coming back home. Yesterday a friend sent me a picture of sunny Toulouse with no snow whatsoever, it felt so weird and surprising. I’ve been in the snow since entering Norway, 10 d ago, I forgot how it was like without it.

I have four hours in Helsinki, so I did a nice walk downtown, through the esplanade, and up to the market place, which is on the waterfront. There is also a large cathedral there, on top of a small hill, giving a good panorama over Helsinki skyline.

I decided to climb aboard the Suomenlinna II ferry to visit the eponymous (minus the « II ») fortress, located on three islands, 15 min from the continent. I wanted to be well in advance for the ride to Tallinn, so I only had 40 min there, but I made the best of it, strolling all around the main island and another smaller one. A bit of a fast visit, but better safe than sorry.

I climbed back on the Suomenlinna II and continued my exploration of the Finnish capital, with notable highlight including the huge parliament building in front of a vast place, and some very medieval-looking buildings.

I took a pretty old-looking tram, that put me directly at the ferry terminal. The Suomenlinna II was a nice ship, but to go to Estonia, we’re gonna need a bigger boat. The Megastar will do the trick, swiftly taking us across the icy sea easy, I see.

As we reach the international waters for the second time in the train tour, I must apologize to poor ol’ Finland. I’ve been wanting to visit Finland for a good 20 years, and I gave it a mere 48 h. I really did you dirty there, it’s sad but true. I was under time constraints and I also want to see the Baltics properly, but don’t worry Suomi buddy, I’ll be back one day, in Summer, to explore Lake Finland! Save the date!

Tere Eesti!

Now, the Baltics. An intriguing string of countries that I’ve been curious to see for a while. Hidden gems or uneventful places? This won’t be answered today though, as it’s already night. I go straight to the hostel to check in, and elect for a quiet evening here. I’ve realized that I’ve spent the last 11 nights in different cities again, since Oslo, with three more to come, and tiredness is starting to feel. So I just chilled there, playing table soccer with fellow travelers from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Spain…

Et Joyeux Anniversaire Papa!