June 2017
Helsinki (population 640,000) was a stop in our Baltic Cruise itinerary, and the cruise port our ship used was in the West Harbor area. To get to the city center, we could have used the tram or the ferry or the bikes. We reserved the bikes online, and there was a bike station within a 5-minute walk from the cruise terminal exit. It cost 5 Euros for a day pass, and each ride up to 30 minutes was free.
Just by following the coastline, we could get to the Market Square area in 20-25 minutes. Right up the hill from the Square is Uspenski Cathedral, an onion-domed Russian Orthodox church you see in the pictures above. We returned our bikes at the bike station in the area and walked up to the church.
We got the bikes again and went to the Lutheran Cathedral in Senate Square. There was an outdoor stage getting set up for some kind of festival, and lots of people started pouring into this square. It turned out to be the Helsinki Samba Carnaval, the biggest samba event in Finland.
Much smaller but more memorable was what they call the Rock Church, Temppeliaukion Kirkko, a Lutheran church built into a solid rock. We struggled to find a bike station near this place and had to walk 10 minutes to find one. But all the trouble was worth it once we walked into the church. Even with a constant stream of people walking in and out, we managed to find a seat and sat down. For a few minutes, I was in a meditative state blocking out all the distractions.
We walked back to the bike station where we left our bikes, but all the bikes were taken. We had to search for another bike station and, eventually, we found two bikes. We rode along a park and reached the water, then turned north to get to this Sibelius Monument. which looks like organ pipes.
There was a restaurant by the water in this park, and we had our lunch there.
We returned to the Market Square and looked around the outdoor market stalls. We had a snack time at the public sea pool and restaurant complex next door. If we had more time, we would’ve tried the outdoor pool. Maybe next time.
We also wanted to check out the design district, but there was not enough time. We got back on the bikes and pedaled back toward the cruise terminal. This was a rather curious sport people were playing at the park along the water.
More Information about Helsinki: LINK
Small Wide World 