Finland is the land of thousand of lakes. I visit Helsinki for three days. Many people like to ask me why I come to Helsinki. They think there are not much to do here, yes right there are not much to do but I like it here and Finnish people is very nice too, sometimes traveling to some country that I can feel safe and people are nice is quite a big deal for me. I am sure when most of people plan to travel to Europe. You probably think of the famous cities like London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona etc. This is why I am curious to discover something else. I want to experience something different more then what I usually do.



 I was traveling to Helsinki in August, even though it was summer time but I need a blazer. It could get little chilly late afternoon. I enjoy riding the bike around the city. It was easy and fun to get around. Helsinki is not pretty slow living yet good quality. I really enjoyed Finnish cuisine, mostly salmon, caviar, and signature dish like reindeer steak. I concerned that high end restaurant here in Helsinki has a unique decoration. It made me feel very warm and welcoming. I really love Finnish cuisine. It was new experience of over the top with reindeer dish. I would say eating authentic high quality while traveling is one the best thing you could expect.



 As I mentioned that Helsinki is quite slow living, so planing to visit Helsinki should be around weekend. It would be more fun here. People here drink a lot. I mean... really a lot. You can also rent a sauna room in the bar too. The only place in the world ha ha. You can drink beer and get into sauna in the bar, usually you can rent a sauna from five persons etc. I have tried some Finnish liquors which was very dangerous. It was like 75% alcohol. People here seem to have a great time during the weekend, but bars close around 2am. 

 I was very surprise how people here has discipline and patient waiting for a taxi. I saw a taxi stop just right in front of my hotel. There were no taxi there but people here wait in line. There were about twenty people waiting in line to get a cab and everyone seem to be calm even though they had so much to drink here. I was really impressed. This is why I love traveling through difference places because I get to learn about people and mentality of each country which I found it is pretty interesting.



 When you think of Finland. You may think of snow or lakes and reindeers. Here I could take a ferry to enjoy the beauty of Helsinki sightseeing. People who own houses along the lakes are people who have money. It is expensive in Helsinki. Even it is slow living but if you see those house along the lakes. It is not a slow living style. I saw some house has a water air plane park in front of the house. It was very cool and each house have their own sauna cottage separately from main house. I have to mention that sauna is part of Finnish culture so even in the apartment building. They might have sauna as well. Finnish people drink beer in sauna and cook sausage in the sauna too and if you want to go into sauna you better get naked completely.



 The sightseeing on the ferry was fun and relaxing. I got to see the other side of wealthy Finnish life style. Even it is located in the northern part where it cold and dark in the winter but people here have a great sense of modern art, fashion and it is not cheap here. I really like Finnish people. I have a good story to share. I was riding my bike from grocery back to the hotel so it was bouncing and my plastic grocery back was rib so my food felt off on the street. There was a lady run around picking up my stuff from the other side of the road and run and gave my stuff back to me with smile. I think it was pretty kind. Finnish seem quiet compare to other European but they are straight forward. 



 I also love walking around the pier where they have so many gorgeous ships, some of them are extremely beautiful and authentic. Some people here really take ship seriously. It was kind of the world class ship and there were many of them. I had a great time just to walk around, photographing, enjoyed the beauty of arts and some architectures around town. 



 From Finland you can take a ferry to Sweden and Estonia as well. I had a wonderful time in Helsinki with all new surprise and great experience of the world class quality of reindeer steak. More importantly it was such a nice thing to like people while traveling because that will leave a great memory about the country too. I was glade I made it here in Helsinki.