Delightful Welcome to Helsinki

1 o'clock in the morning.

1 o 'clock!

That's what time I got into Helsinki city center. From the plane, there was a great supermarket in the airport to pick up healthy (or not so healthy) snacks and meals and easily found my way to the train. Take whichever shows up first, I or P since neither get to city center faster. Make sure you get ABC zoned ticket and it comes to about $4.50 for one-way.

Several stops and 1 weirdo later (security came and kicked him off), I was at the Hub. It was closed and no real signs of direction, but the train station sits in the middle of it all-so just walk. Right now, Helsinki is adorned all night with white festive lights so there isn't much darkness. No homeless or vagabonds roaming about like you'd see in the States. But damn those cobblestones! I mean, they are massive. I'll be lucky if my Away suitcase makes it this whole trip with all 4 wheels left.

The walk was about 15 mins along the quiet main road and strolled by a couple of clubs still open. Doors were sealed, windows blacked out but very soft muffles of music could be heard when up close. And as I was walking, I saw something Oslo couldn't expose: Food!

Yes- restaurants of all kinds. Very diverse. I mean, like Oslo, most were super posh but man, it was like trying to find Waldo in a sea of buildings in Oslo for just one regular restaurant. Here in Helsinki, they don't hide restaurants! I won't have to worry about my next meal here. The hotel, wonderfully positioned in the city and very welcoming. I am super happy with Klaus K. They have a bar/club and 2 restaurants. Elevator is super confusing but love the room.

Knowing I wouldn't be viable at sunrise, I switched my tour from 10am to 2pm and slowly got

up by noon. Headed down Esplanadi (about 4 blocks of greenery lined on both sides of beautiful architecture) and arrived at Vanha Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall) and my eyes bugged out!

This is a market!

Sculptured chocolate

Fresh meat

Bakeries and cafes

Soap shops

Smoothie stands

Lunch lounges

Wine and liquor

Gelato

And no two were the same. Finally!

I sat down for breakfast (at 1pm in the afternoon, yes I did) and had traditional Finnish products before my 2pm tour group meeting at Fazer Cafe.

Robert's Cafe

Runebergin Tortu 5.5 euro rated 4/5 (sweet)

Lammin Lohipirakka 8.9 euros rated 4/5 (it's a quiche)

Helsinki Architectural Highlights. Via Get Your Guide Provider: Helsinki Dreamdays

2. 5 hours

$50

The walk was nice although it snow-stormed right before we started (needed my umbrella) but It was clear otherwise. Went around the city with a brief (and I mean brief) history. I really thought our guide would give us more details about the architecture, maybe BE an architecture major. But mostly his answers were 'I don't know or' I don't remember '. What really stood out is when the other guest asked questions, such as which famous architect made this really weird building he was showing us and explaining. Or how the acoustics were developed in the Rec center he brought us in to peruse. The issue was - she WAS an

architect. So it just showed his flaws.

Secret Passageways!

Something I'm noticing- stores and malls have several entrances in these winter countries. And malls are not always showcased like back in the states. If You can find them, it gives you a break from the cold and a shortcut to your destination.

The city tour part of it was nice still although we passed a lot of buildings we should have talked about, in my opinion.

Nice guy, though.

Our last real stop was a community center across from the Parliament. So it's very modern and who cares about a community center, right? Well- this was the highlight for both groups on this tour.

Helsinki Central Library Oodi.

You step inside to the 1st floor and see people playing chess or Majong. Next floor contains reading rooms, a reading staircases, digital 3D printers, guitars, poster printers, conference rooms and videogame rooms! All is basically free for citizens. The top floor has this Weird Sloping Ceiling and, at both ends, sloping floors, but this is where the 'library' is. Very clean, spaced out and simple. You can read newspapers, books or magazines. There is a central Cafe and then one end, a Children's section: playground, books etc. The comment about acoustics comes into play here.

You can't hear the kids yelling and playing if you step away from that area!

As open of a concept as it is up there, the designers made it so sounds don't float.

It's really an amazing spectacle. Apparently this is where most come to be out of the house after work in the winter when it starts getting dark by 3pm. No sun gets depressing for anyone.

Well, we ended the tour back at Fazer Cafe (why this place is important, I don't know) but it was now time to eat and drink. I grabbed the salmon soup from the Old Market and made my way to the 1st Speakeasy on my list: Trillby & Chadwick. Sneaky me, found the unmarked door and then.... nothing, Absolutely nothing. How TF do I enter? I knocked on both doors- nope. Turned the phone knob- nope. And pushed, pulled and swiped doors. Nada.

I went out to look for a bell or a light. Negative!

So disheartened that I finally found myself looking for a speakeasy I couldn't find nor gather information on the website or reviews!

* Tums out, there is a button near the phone. I didn't move it much because it seemed Janky and I'd be the one to break something.

Anyways, left to the Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square and-lo and behold: a

market exactly as I expected. About 50 stalls with a variety goods from silver jewelry to hand-made ironworks. Of course, 1 too many hat & gloves shops but they all were slightly different. Some were fluffy like that annoying wool look, some were normal warmers and some had new designs. There was a carousel in the center surrounded by food stalls and a covered seating area.

Now this is a Nordic Christmas Market. And it was snowing!

You'd think I'd be done by now, huh? Well no. But I'll hasten it.

Went back to hotel, ate at our Monsieur K restaurant and then headed to the speakeasy Chihuahua Julep.

Now again, a speakeasy. Unmarked door, blacked out windows, but this one has an external doorbell.

No phones!

No smartwatches!

No drink prices!

Only American spirits!

You walk into a sort of a living room set up and a bar at the back. You got 1 bartender and people sitting for several drinks so get comfortable! I can only speak for mine, but I do not like mezcal. Been to a couple tequila& mezcal festivals, have a mixologist friend who always gets/makes mezcal and anyone else around me who gets into it. I don't like it.

So I order a mezcal drink!

Had all this fruity shit in it including cloudberries. And I don't like sweet. Welp, that was a damn good drink! Not too sweet, had a minute smoky taste and went down smooth. I chatted it up with the bartender during my time there and cashed out my $18 drink.

Note: Never talk anything good about Trump when abroad.. Everyone hates him. I am NOT a Trump supporter at all but made a comment that new businesses may do OK under his term. Had to reroute that quickly once I saw the guy's upside down face lol.

2nd Note: Since they don't allow phones, that means they don't take TAP. EVERYONE takes TAP up in the north here for the most part. But just so you know, even your smartwatch must be turned off so bring a credit card.

Monsieur K at Klaus K Hotel:

Gnocchi with Pumpkin Puree 5/5

Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry 5/5