Helsinki in a nutshell.

'A busy day, but one that has not been too energetic. But first, it's quiz time. 

Can you name a famous Finn? (Answer to follow at the end of this post).

Following a hearty and healthy breakfast we set off walking across the city to the Market Square and caught the city coach tour. Over the course of two hours, the bus took us to most of the important sights in Helsinki, including the Rock Church, the Presdential Palace, various museums, national theatres and the Central Station to name but a few. 

At the conclusion we found a kiosk selling sandwiches and salads and stopped for a light lunch, following which we could not resist buying a large punnet of deliciously ripe strawberries from one of the many stalls on Maket Square. Thus refreshed, we spent a short while browsing the remainder of the stalls before having a brief look at the City's two cathedrals, the Lutheran and the Orthodox. 

This meant that we were just in time to get back to the waterfront in order to board the 2.30 boat trip which was to meander around a few of the hundreds of islands making up part of "greater" Helsinki. Many of the islands have expensive looking summer homes owned by city dwellers, some have been developed by corporate companies into leisure resorts, whilst others are protected as nature reserves. There was not a cloud in the sky and on the leeward side of the islands it was very pleasant indeed, but on the windward side, it was a touch Baltic. Pun intended.

By the time the boat had returned to the harbourside it was late afternoon. We had a brief look around some of the art and craft shops before deciding to look for somewhere nice for our evening meal. The area around Market Square and Esplanadi is lined with expensive, designer label stores and upmarket bars and cafes, and it seemed as if the entire population of the city had come down to enjoy a Friday evening post-work coffee or beer in the sunshine.

In the end we plumped for a place called Bryggeri for dinner, a very popular restaurant which boasted its own micro-brewery. We both opted for the set menu and enjoyed a delicious meal consisting of a warm goats cheese salad to start, chicken breast with buckwheat for the main course and a blackwheat berry creme brûlée for dessert. Lush. And of course, as it brewed its own beers we had no option other than to experience the five ale sampler.

So, now the answer to the quiz. 

5 points if you said Jean Sibelius

4 points if you said Paavo Numi

3 points if you said Mika Hakkinen or Kimi Reikkonen (same thing really)

1 point if you said the Moomins

0 points if you said anyone else because you must have cheated and used Google. There are no other famous Finns.