Uncategorized – Page 27 – Gordie's Travels

Not something you see every day

Sat 7 Sep 24 at Helsinki Hsrbour. Huge cruise ships taking on passengers. I’m in the line to drive on to the ferry to Tallinn, Estonia. There are more than 50 cars, trucks, ambulances, and fire engines in an Aid Convoy to Ukraine. All packed to overflowing with “stuff”. Sunny day. 20 °

The next 2 weeks and 2,500 kilometres

07 September to 24 September, Airbnb’s booked and paid for. 7 – 8 Tallinn ESTONIA 9 – 10 Riga LATVIA 11 – 12 Vilnius LITHUANIA 13 – 14 Bialtystok POLAND 15 – 16 Kielce POLAND 17 – 18 Brezina CZECHIA 19 – 24 Kainrathschlag AUSTRIA

25 degrees and expensive coffees

Friday 06 September 2024 In Australia, coffee $5 and barista earns $30 an hour. 6 times. In Finland, coffee is nearly $10 and barista makes $20 an hour. Only 2 times. Something is wrong here.

Helsinki harbour

Suomenlinna by ferry

UNESCO listed bastion fortress with a fascinating history, serving as a defence for Sweden, Russia from 1808 to 1918, and lastly, Finland. Lots to see and do. Great weather. Mid week and off season means it’s nice and quiet. I’d imagine it would be a “zoo” in summer, crawling with visitors. Just a gorgeous place!

Helsinki

4 and 5 Sep 24 Great weather. My Airbnb is stunning. Great chats with my lovely host and other guests. 5 Sep into Helsinki. Wander around. Coffee and cake in town at a fancy and price Cafe. Chatted with visitors from Germany and Japan.

Vetokannas Swimming lake.

04 Sep 24 at 3pm 26° I hit a local delicatessen for lunch and dinner supplies. Such a fresh and healthy lunch! Searching on Google Maps, I found this swimming beach. The water is now 20° however it freezes solid in winter so people can ice skate on it! So foreign to an Australian! PrettyContinue reading “Vetokannas Swimming lake.”

The drive from Pori to Helsinki

Wed 04 Sep 24 150 kms of fog with 100 to 150m visibility, with signs warning of moose and deer made for a tense couple of hours. The sun came out 60 kms from Helsinki, and the temperature rapidly climbed from 12 to 23. The weather is now sublime. I headed straight for Cafe RegattaContinue reading “The drive from Pori to Helsinki”

Fun in the park in Pori

Autumn colours starting already. Such lovely weather today too. Off to Helsinki tomorrow.

Lunch at Noormarkku

Anu bought me lunch at the Olde Worlde Country Club at this Industrialist’s Estate. My first time eating wild caught Moose. Braised in red wine, it was bloody delicious. The staff and atmosphere were outstanding too. Lots of laughs. A great day out.