Monday, November 3, 2008

Fall flowers

Flowers for sale outside a flower shop in Helsinki.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A bank advert found on the pedestrian-only part of Mikonkatu.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

What was that again?

The restaurant car on the train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, Russia. I was surprised by how new and shiny the cars in this train were. I've seen this train arriving/departing many times and it's always been old and worn out cars.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Red Nose Day?

The Three Smiths were the only ones wearing red noses. I wonder if they felt conspicuous?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Lamer

An ad on the side of Stockmann, Finland's largest department store. I know it's supposed to be La Mer, but that's not what it looked like at the time.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Carnival in Kamppi

A carnival at Kamppi in Helsinki.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Why is that tree growing so close to the road?

I was driving through Vantaa today and saw the first sign of winter. The Department of Roads and Construction plant these trees at the edge of the roads in mid-October so the snowplow drivers know where to plow. We haven't had that kind of snow in a few years, though. Every time I see these for the first time, I'm hopeful that we'll have a lot of snow. Here's hoping!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Road work part 2


Aleksanterinkatu is virtually deserted on this Sunday afternoon. The only sounds were from the construction.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Road work


Some of the tram lines in Helsinki are having some repair work done.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Early autumn in Pitäjänmäki


I took a short path through the woods on my way to the bus stop from my friend's house and was rewarded with this view. The leaves in my area are starting to change colors, but this area still looks mostly green.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Geese!


We spotted these geese along the shore of Kaivopuisto. It's been cool here and I think they were talking about heading south. The yellow building is the boathouse of Suomenlinna.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Pasila Tunnel art (part 1)


At the end of the school year in May, an artist had started working in the tunnel that leads from Pasila station to Ratapihankatu and Ilmala. She had used pencil to outline all of the details on wood panels and then started painting. I was away all summer and when I returned in August, she had finished all of them. I have pictures of a few. This one is called "Ending."

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

My favorite view

When I first moved to Finland, I lived in Lauttasaari. This is the west side of the island, near the Espoo border. This has always been my favorite view. There are many small islands in the distance and it's not uncommon to see several sailboats sailing through the area.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Friday evening traffic


Driving east across Lauttasaari to downtown Helsinki on a Friday evening.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Swans

This little family was spotted near Lauttasaari, an island in Helsinki.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

A hole in the ground


When I moved to Finland in June 1997, this was literally a hole in the ground. The area is called Ruoholahti and it contains the Nokia Research Center, a multi-level shopping center, and many other businesses.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Suomenlinna bridge

While crossing a bridge between the islands of Suomenlinna, a young visitor pauses to have a look around.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Arriving at Suomenlinna

Arriving at Suomenlinna, the island fortress off the coast of Helsinki. This ferry is part of the public transport system in the Helsinki area. It travels between Helsinki's Kauppatori, market square, and the fortress. Suomenlinna consists of five islands linked by bridges.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Move your body


Korean tourism ad on the side of the bus from the center of Helsinki to the airport.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Lynx

It was a hot day and most of the cats were in the shade, but this "ferocious" creature came right up to the window and posed for us.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Eteläsatama as seen from the zoo


The view of Helsinki's south harbor (eteläsatama) from the zoo.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The view from the zoo


One view from the observation tower on Korkeasaari. This is one of several harbors around Helsinki.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

A view from above

Observation tower at the top of a hill on Korkeasaari, Helsinki's zoo island.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Theme Day: Metal

It's theme day again. This month's theme is metal, be it an alloy or a genre of music.

Here's Finland's 2008 EuroVision Song Contest entry, heavy metal band Teräsbetoni(Finnish for "steel reinforced concrete"). I never used to be a fan of any kind of music, least of all heavy metal. But since moving to Finland, it seems you can't escape the nation's love for heavy metal. Their 2006 EuroVision Contest entry was another heavy metal band Lordi which won the competition that year.

I took this on 19.3.08 at Tavastia, a concert hall in Helsinki.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Pacius 5

A huge Mac sign for eat-in and drive thru.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Pacius 4

The housing in that area. It is a quiet neighbourbood.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Pacius 3

Kids at play. It is a huge park with about 3-4 different sections of playgrounds and there is also a football field.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Pacius 2

Located beside a river. Very peaceful.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Pacius 1

Some scenes from Pikku Huopalahti. To cool off from the hot weather, showers are available. This is a nice scenic park located in Pacius.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

A presidential tour (part 2)


A statue inside the ballroom at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.

Friday, July 25, 2008

A presidential tour (part 1)


I had the rare opportunity to be part of a tour group at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Although there were many beautiful rooms and furnishings, we were only allowed to take pictures in the ballroom.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

From the previous path ...

to an island opposite it. The cycling and walking path from the previous post was taken near Uunisaari. Uunisaari is a small island near Ullanlinna. One is able to get there by ferry. There is a cafe and a beach there. During summer, it is a popular place for people to get some sun.

Note: Filling in for krs the past couple of days. She'll be back soon.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Walking and Cycling

Different paths for pedestrains and cyclists. Helsinki is very cycle friendly. Something like this is not found in my own home country.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Vintage magazines


My son has chicken pox and I wasn't able to get out and take a new picture today. I have a couple of photos from the kiosk museum and I'll share one more. This is more of the selection offered at the kiosk. I love the colors and style. I would love to have a look through these magazines.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Rautatiekirjakauppa

These old magazines were hanging in the window of a railroad magazine kiosk museum. Rautatiekirjakauppa means railroad book store.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Lunch on the patio

This is the outdoor cafeteria seating area at the offices of a business. It's such a nice place that it's really a shame it can't be used for more months.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Entering Vantaa

I've seen this sign almost every day for the past 9 years. This area of Vantaa is full of forests. Notice the bike path and biker between the street and forest. Inside that forest are lots of blueberries and loganberries. Soon there will be mushroooms to pick, too.

Friday, July 18, 2008

And summer flowers

Took a detour into the forest on my walk this evening and found these. I don't know what they are, but their light purple looked so nice against the deep green behind them.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Summer fruit

My favorite thing about Finnish summer is the berries. These were growing near the Espoo-Vantaa border and I had to take a picture. They were still a little tart for my taste, but the birds had been there and they didn't seem to mind at all.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Bike course?


I saw this a couple of days ago when I was visiting a friend in Vantaa. I went back today to take pictures. There was a series of small, steep hills and then a wooden ramp at the end.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Wheel Free in Helsinki

Wheel Free in Helsinki happens every summer. One can get a Citybike from one of the 26 Citybike stands around the city centre. The deposit for a Citybike is 2 euros. When you return the bike to a stand you will have your 2 euro deposit back.

Ten Rules for riding a Citybike

Monday, July 14, 2008

Biking anyone?


What's so special about this bicycle? Find out tomorrow.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Three Smiths

The three smiths statue is a sculpture by Felix Nylund, situated in Helsinki in the three smiths square at the crossing point of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie. This realistic statue, unveiled in 1932, depicts three smiths hammering on an anvil. More info in wiki...

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Found


Yeap, the man found it.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Blue flowers


Could u find where they r?

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Traffic Lights


Hey, watch out the lights, u should slow down now.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Monday, July 7, 2008

Summer Sale 1

Are u ready for the crazy shopping?!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Hard to choose

To the left, or to the right, that is a question !