Date: 4/5/2011
Ferry (Linda Line) : Talinn-Helsinki (08.00-09.30) - E$18.20
Hostel: Hostel Stadion - E$20 dorm
Food & groceries: E$9.50
Total expenses incurred in Helsinki: E$47.70
Ferry (Linda Line) : Talinn-Helsinki (08.00-09.30) - E$18.20
Hostel: Hostel Stadion - E$20 dorm
Food & groceries: E$9.50
Total expenses incurred in Helsinki: E$47.70
1) Ferry crossing from Talinn to Helsinki - Crossing the Baltic Sea
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To visit the Nordic / Scandinavian countries, I had chosen to travel by bus from London to Poland & the 3 Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia). Eurolines also provide bus services from London to northern Europe eg Amsterdam (Netherland), Copenhagen (Denmark), Gothenburg (Sweden) & Oslo (Norway).
After visiting Warsaw & Vilnius, I took a bus (80Ltl=E$23) from Vilnius to Talinn. In Talinn, I stayed for a night in Hostel Vana Tom (E$7.50 dorm). As I had visited Talinn in 2009 on my way to St Petersburg, Russia, I took the opportunity to re-visit the Old Town of Talinn.
From Talinn, I took a morning ferry, Linda Line (E$18.20 for seniors) and crossed the Baltic Sea to Helsinki (1.5 hr).
2) Helsinki, Finland
In Helsinki, I stayed in Hostel Stadion (E$20 dorm), formerly the venue of the Olympic Stadium. The city is not big so it was quite easy for me to explore the various places of interest by foot ie Alexander II & The Lutheran Cathedral, Senate Square, Temppeliakio Church, The Church in the Rock (under renovation), The Sibelius Monument, Parliament Building & The Olympic Stadium etc
Some interesting observations in Helsinki : user friendly pedestrian & bicycle paths; vehicle head-lights switched on during the daytime, drinkable tap water, English widely spoken, limited choice of hostels, most travelers ended up staying in Hostel Stadion (pre-booking required) - so take it easy and relax when in Helsinki !
For those who enjoy the cold winter months in Finland (-20c), you could experience the polar night - an unusual experience especially for tourists coming from the tropics.
3) Turku, Finland
Date: 5/5/2011
Bus: Helsinki > Turku (E$20.70)
Hostel: Hostel Turku (E$18 dorm)
Food: E$9
Total expenses incurred in Turku: E$47.70
After a night stay in Helsinki , I took a bus to Turku (E$20.70- 2.5hr) on the following morning. Turku is a seaport located on the south west coast of Finland. There are regular daily ferry services from Turku to Stockholm (foot passenger E$15). The journey took around 10 hrs (08.45>18.55). It was reported that around 3 million passengers travelled by ferries from Turku to Stockholm each year !
I had a pleasant stay in Turku and visited the Turku castle, the market square, Michael's church, Orthodox church etc The weather was superb in May - around 6-15c.
Bus: Helsinki > Turku (E$20.70)
Hostel: Hostel Turku (E$18 dorm)
Food: E$9
Total expenses incurred in Turku: E$47.70
After a night stay in Helsinki , I took a bus to Turku (E$20.70- 2.5hr) on the following morning. Turku is a seaport located on the south west coast of Finland. There are regular daily ferry services from Turku to Stockholm (foot passenger E$15). The journey took around 10 hrs (08.45>18.55). It was reported that around 3 million passengers travelled by ferries from Turku to Stockholm each year !
I had a pleasant stay in Turku and visited the Turku castle, the market square, Michael's church, Orthodox church etc The weather was superb in May - around 6-15c.
" Finland, a Nordic country; independent since 1917; Swedish & Russian era; World War II & Cold War, the Baltic sea, the Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Bothnia; World famous runner Paavo Nurmi, 1952 Summer Olympic in Helsinki; Lapland & reindeers; polar night in winter & midnight sun in summer - an exciting & mysterious country ! My first visit to a Nordic country !
The secrets of life: " Without inspiration & creativity, innovation is as good as dead "
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