I always have a stop over in Helsinki on my way to Italy. I like flying Finnair and I love Helsinki.
I arrived early this morning to grey sky…..it changed to blue…..it rained…..a strong wind blew in a late afternoon storm and the sun came out again. It made for an interesting day.
My first stop was at the brand new sculpture in front of the music centre. It was unveiled just a couple of weeks ago.
There is a new cafe there as well.
I went back later when the sky turned blue.
It was lucky I did. I met a lovely lady who told me the sculpture is called Laulupuut and was created by an artist from Oulu. It was inspired by a poem by Aaro Hellaakoski about a pike who sprang from the ocean and began to sing. The song was so beautiful that the birds in the trees stopped singing.
The beautiful Helsinki cathedral put on a show in the changing light.
The park in Esplanadi was looking gorgeous.
Even later on after the storm.
I managed to catch the Russian church shining in the sun.
Helsinki railway station never fails to impress me.
The theatre and the park beside the station are impressive as well.
The late summer flower displays are looking wonderful.
There were musicians in the streets.
This man had a great view over the park in front of his house.
He would have been able to see the Knit ‘n’ Tag display in the park. Go to my other blog, Beautiful Helsinki to see more of this. (There is a link on the right)
The summer markets by the harbour were in full swing.
The streets of Helsinki are beautiful.
It was a good day in Helsinki….tomorrow I go to Rome.
As usual, your photos are awesome!! Welcome back to Europe, and I hope you accomplish what you hope to regarding your house!
By: margieinitaly on September 3, 2012
at 6:18 pm
I am on my way to lovely Rome right now. I hope it isn’t too hot.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 3:56 am
[…] always have a stop over in Helsinki on my way to Italy. I like flying Finnair and I love Helsinki.source This entry was posted in europe by poster. Bookmark the […]
By: Hello Helsinki | Home Far Away From Home on September 3, 2012
at 7:13 pm
I love that monument! Gorgeous! And great photos as usual… glad to hear that you are in Europe. See you soon.
By: mulino dominillo on September 3, 2012
at 7:15 pm
Isn’t the pike amazing? I had heard that it had been unveiled recently and went straight there.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 3:57 am
It looks totally beautiful Debra….I would love to visit Helsinki one day.
By: Paris Rendez-vous on September 3, 2012
at 7:52 pm
You should visit Helsinki, it is a beautiful city.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 3:58 am
Helsinki looks very attractive – I will definitely have to visit one day.
By: Just Add Attitude on September 3, 2012
at 8:42 pm
Helsinki is a great place to visit, and not too far away for you.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 3:58 am
Fabulous photos Debra, and what a gorgeous day Lyn
By: aussiegirl0905 on September 3, 2012
at 8:59 pm
It was a mixed day weather wise, but beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 3:59 am
I’m pretty sure Finland “is not on the way” to Italy — unless your now living in the Arctic !
Ciao Tewes
By: Richard the terrible on September 3, 2012
at 9:55 pm
Of course it is on the way…if you want it to be. It is a shorter trip via Helsinki than lots of other ways and the flight from Hong Kong to Helsinki is much shorter than to Rome.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 4:00 am
Love the skies. How nice to go to Rome, hope you’ll have a fabulous time.
By: linneabylinneanilsson on September 4, 2012
at 12:25 am
I will enjoy a couple of days in Rome before heading to Bagni di Lucca
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 4:01 am
You certainly experienced the best of all worlds in Helsinki, Deb, with the beautiful cathedrals, the railway station and the flowers. You’ve captured the various seasons in one day. I love the pictures of the folk street buskers expressing such joy and pride in their instruments and in the singing. Am intrigued with the story about the singing pike. I reckon one of the beauties of travel is collecting stories the local people tell along the way. The markets are wonderful as usual. Evidently a full and colourful day for you at Helsinki. It’s great to be a ‘companion’ in your travels.
By: Sandra H on September 4, 2012
at 12:46 am
It was lovely to meet and talk to that lady. She loved the sculpture and had been a few times to stand and look at it. She was delighted to share the story. When I travel alone I often have chance encounters with people.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 4:03 am
awesome.. amazing sculptures, and not as cold as last time you took us! c
By: ceciliag on September 4, 2012
at 1:25 am
The weather was quite warm. I’ll be back in November….who knows what I will find then.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 4, 2012
at 4:04 am
What a beautiful day in Helsinki even with the changing weather which reminded me of Melbourne. Lucky you to be back in Italia. I hope it all goes well with the house.
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on September 4, 2012
at 4:26 am
Yes very reminiscent of Melbourne as Jenny says. But Helsinki has much better sculpture. Hope you had a lovely stopover Debra – and a lovely Finnish feed or two! x
By: janinevasta on September 4, 2012
at 6:42 am
*sigh* I miss Helsinki! And the sweet fruit and delicious juicy peas straight from the pod! 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on September 4, 2012
at 6:56 am
such a lovely place 🙂
By: ayna on September 4, 2012
at 7:02 am
Fabulous photos, Debra. I love the story of the pike. 🙂
By: adinparadise on September 4, 2012
at 7:26 am
Had no ideia how great helsinki is. I like how you put two completely different but beautiful churches.
By: thelocalguide on September 4, 2012
at 10:24 am
What a fantastic post, bagni, seriously. You definitely made me feel like going there!
All your pictures were so colorful! Loved them 🙂
I’ve been away for month and a half, so now I’m back and I hope to be able to check your great travels as I did before 🙂
Have a nice day bagni!
By: Javi&Palace on September 4, 2012
at 5:44 pm
I am in such anticipation for more of your Italy!! Can’t wait to see the stone house and what’s happened while you were gone. Keep me posted!! Can you see me smiling? Though, surely am jealous….LOL!
By: Our Kitchen Inventions on September 4, 2012
at 6:43 pm
Loved the sculpture especially once it was explained! Markets look gorgeous and how fun is knit n tag! Helsinki looks a great city. Safe travels
Carla x
By: coulsoncarla on September 5, 2012
at 8:17 am
Beautiful photographs again but this knitted tree fascinated me 🙂 Thank you dear Debra, love, nia
By: niasunset on September 5, 2012
at 2:36 pm
It was a fun collection in the park.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 5, 2012
at 9:14 pm
That rail way station really is quite spectacular. Good to some yarn action happening too 🙂
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on September 6, 2012
at 4:11 am
The railway station in Helsinki is magnificent, I love those stone men.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 7, 2012
at 5:00 am
thanks Deb, I hadn’t looked at your Helskinki post yet, what a trend it must be sweeping the world, trust we globetrotters to find it.
By: Roz on September 9, 2012
at 12:24 am
There is more on the display on my other blog Beautiful Helsinki.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 9, 2012
at 6:05 am
[…] love Helsinki…in any weather. I have been 4 times this year, and can’t wait to get back there in […]
By: My favourite places in 2012 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 31, 2012
at 12:33 am