Proudly claiming its title of World Design Capital this year, Helsinki was definitely out on show during our visit.
We were blessed with beautiful weather which made for perfect conditions to explore the city's many marketplaces. The harbour-side fresh fruit and veggie stalls of Kauppatori was an ideal place to stop for lunch, with a colourful array of food sizzling on giant grills. Here I tried the local speciality muikku (tiny vendace fish battered and fried whole) served with crispy potatoes and a generous helping of delicious garlic mayonnaise. I quickly learnt that this was a favourite among ALL the locals, as before I had even sat down to take my first bite, I was swooped by a far too brave seagull who flew away with an entire greedy mouthful. Egged on by their friend's success I was repeatedly dive bombed, giving the crowds a good laugh as I tried to duck and dodge the oncoming attacks in a state of panic and paranoia, until a local woman pushed me in the direction of a nearby tent dramatically yelling 'RUN! RUN FOR COVER!' after me.
Other markets like the Hakaniemi Market Hall, provided a much more calm experience but were still fascinating, showcasing everything from piles of antique spoons and vases, to various paraphernalia from the 1952 Olympics, an obsession the city seems to be reluctant to let go of. This was also a great place to begin exploring the design centric Kallio District. Here we found cute cafes on every corner and a range of shops whose products were as quirky and interestingly designed as the buildings that housed them.
When we ventured back that night, the streets were alive with little bars and people enjoying late night picnics and drinks in the park. Eventually we stumbled upon 'Siltanen' which was a perfect place for a drink on the deck before heading inside for a night of hilarious Scandinavian dancing.
From its melting pot culture that bridges Scandinavia with the Baltic countries, to its obsession with Angry Birds (whose creator is Finnish and somewhat of a national celebrity), Helsinki is full of pleasant surprises and was a great launch pad to the next leg of our journey into Russia!
We were blessed with beautiful weather which made for perfect conditions to explore the city's many marketplaces. The harbour-side fresh fruit and veggie stalls of Kauppatori was an ideal place to stop for lunch, with a colourful array of food sizzling on giant grills. Here I tried the local speciality muikku (tiny vendace fish battered and fried whole) served with crispy potatoes and a generous helping of delicious garlic mayonnaise. I quickly learnt that this was a favourite among ALL the locals, as before I had even sat down to take my first bite, I was swooped by a far too brave seagull who flew away with an entire greedy mouthful. Egged on by their friend's success I was repeatedly dive bombed, giving the crowds a good laugh as I tried to duck and dodge the oncoming attacks in a state of panic and paranoia, until a local woman pushed me in the direction of a nearby tent dramatically yelling 'RUN! RUN FOR COVER!' after me.
Other markets like the Hakaniemi Market Hall, provided a much more calm experience but were still fascinating, showcasing everything from piles of antique spoons and vases, to various paraphernalia from the 1952 Olympics, an obsession the city seems to be reluctant to let go of. This was also a great place to begin exploring the design centric Kallio District. Here we found cute cafes on every corner and a range of shops whose products were as quirky and interestingly designed as the buildings that housed them.
When we ventured back that night, the streets were alive with little bars and people enjoying late night picnics and drinks in the park. Eventually we stumbled upon 'Siltanen' which was a perfect place for a drink on the deck before heading inside for a night of hilarious Scandinavian dancing.
From its melting pot culture that bridges Scandinavia with the Baltic countries, to its obsession with Angry Birds (whose creator is Finnish and somewhat of a national celebrity), Helsinki is full of pleasant surprises and was a great launch pad to the next leg of our journey into Russia!
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