Scandinavia Photoblog Part 1: Helsinki

Sometime after our maiden Europe trip in August 2010, this idea of traveling to the Scandinavian countries popped in our heads. But soon after we came back, Aahaan was on his way and I remembered this thought only when little Benu put Scandinavia on my birthday card. Thanks to his wishes and God's infinite grace, we found the dream materializing in August this year. 

All we knew was that the Scandinavian countries were cold, had high Human Development indices and suffered from fairly high suicide rates. We didn't know too many people who had travelled there so there were no tips and I guess there wasn't really all that much time to research the countries, till we actually landed up. This post just captures us in various places around Helsinki. More information to follow on the specific cities we visited. 

Meet the star of the show - little Aahaan Kapur Mukherjee - who was quite accomodating throughout the trip with the irregular sleep schedules and repetitive food. Poor guy was mostly on a diet of khichdi and upma with some fruits, chikki and chocolate thrown in, for the better part of the trip. Lots of learning on traveling with little tots. A separate post to follow on that. 

Mummy and Papa in Helsinki at the Senate Square - this trip was more about them than us. Their first trip as such to the West - a much desired travel dream coming true for them and for me. To make them travel to new destinations has been a long cherished desire so it was deeply satisfying when things fell into place and we got into the car to head to Indira Gandhi International Airport on the 15th of August. :)

That's us. 

Me at the Soumenlinna fortress, an island off Helsinki city. 

Mummy, Papa and Aahaan at Soumenlinna.

 Fisherman's Wharf equivalent at Helsinki - a place for lots of local food being grilled right before your eyes. 

Mummy at Fisherman's Wharf. 

Seen on our way to the Soumenlinna fortress - many such huge cruises run between Helsinki and Talinn in Estonia. A and the boy were totally smitten by this sight. 

Outside the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. Helsinki hosted the Olympics in 1952. 

Just outside the Kaivopuisto or Well Park enjoying a hot coffee and some butter croissant. This is a must visit spot - the park is green, clean and huge and there is an interesting marina just outside it. 

The setting sun and the marina outside the Well Park. Brrr. Was a cold, rainy day in Helsinki that day. But we got really lucky with weather on most of the other days right through our trip. The sun was bright and smiling all through the 17 days except for a couple of rainy, cloudy, dark days. 

 Hot chocolate at a cafe by the marina. 

 A slightly tired Papa just taking in the setting. 

Mumma and baby. 

 An interesting installation at the entrance to the Well Park.