Tallinn

Had a nice day cruise to sunny Tallinn with the family last weekend.

Our main sight to visit this time was open air museum at Rocca al Mare, on the "west side" coast. Also Tallinn Zoo was nice, that we saw on another sunny day already last year.

Next time it will be sights around Pirita area on the "east side" coast, maybe also the Patarei prison. And the old town is always nice.

Cafe Eliel

Conveniently located, right at the Main railway station. The architecture is really great, but they remodeled the decor recently and I can't yet say if I like it. It's more modern now, but kind of "cheapish" in style.

Well, I guess they really planned it that way, as there are even slot machines in the corner of the hall! It's practical, not a fancy cafe at all..

Still, this place has a lot of potential to stay in my favorites. Cup of coffee with a croissant was a bit cheaper than at Fazer's.

Looking forward to a day trip to Tallinn tomorrow, should be a warm and sunny spring day.

Juustoportti

If you feel hungry while driving on highway 4 and happen to be around Mäntsälä (exit to "P"), I can recommend having a stopover at Juustoportti ("The Cheese Gate"). For nine euros you get a buffet lunch that is most probably better - to my taste at least - than the pizza they serve on the other side of the road.

Cafe Fazer

This morning, on the way to work, I went to enjoy a cup of coffee and a croissant to this traditional cafe in the center of Helsinki.

The quality coffee moment surprised me very positively, even though I knew in advance it was not going to be cheap. But I do feel that my five euros were well spent.

Signs of spring

This year Easter time seems to bring some positive signs about spring closing in. It's only ten degrees outside, but warmth of the sun can definetely be felt in the air. Lake Päijänne still has a crumbling ice cover.

Life of the leisure traveller

Welcome to the Kuusamo airport. Two hours before our scheduled flight departure it seems to be a very quiet, empty place. Time to enjoy yet another overpriced beer and commercially prepared sandwich for lunch.

Ruka

It was a really nice, sunny day to visit "The Snowpeak", a bar made from ice and snow almost at the top on one of Ruka's east side slopes.

Kuusamo

Now this is not a "live" update. I'm waiting for the room service to deliver us food and I'm a bit bored, especially as there's a need to act very quietly due to a sleeping child.

The pictures are in chronological order though they do no justice to the events and wonderful moments in real life.

The first one is Kuusamo "city centre". Second one is from Riipinen factory outlet. The last one is Kiutaköngäs at Oulanka National Park.