One night in Hämeenlinna

Last weekend we had a chance to travel without the kids. We chose Hämeenlinna for a quick weekend getaway.

In the afternoon we went to the movies. The night started with flair bowling at First Corner, in Tiiriö. Later it was time to enjoy good dinner at Popino, located in the centre.

Then we went to Birger for a beer. When returning to the hotel, we checked Julian Rock performing at Tawastia Bank.

Mäntsälä Ralli 2011

It was my first time in my life actually seeing a rally competition in action! We checked the start in the center of Mäntsälä, went to Sälinkää during the daytime and later in the evening to Pukkila for the last Special Stage. It was already dark then so there wasn't so much to see any more. The rally event ended at Hepolan koulu.

Since it is winter time, travelling to the seeing places had to be made along the same road where the rally went on. I must admit it was, at times, a pretty wild feeling checking some safe spots from the side of the road, when hearing those rally cars roaring and knowing they are approaching towards you at "maximum attack".. :)

Signs of Winter 2011, part.. oh well :)

During the past weeks I was thinking about headlines like "routa" or "kaamos", but I missed to make those updates in time.. it's been a great winter so far - lots of snow, and solid sub-zero temperature since some mid-November.

Starting from tomorrow, the forecast shows "suojasää" at least for the whole of next week. Suojasää basically means that the temperature will be above zero degrees Celcius at least during daytime. I just hope all the snow won't turn to "loska" and melt away..

Saaren Joulumaa

They say it's kind of a tradition for Keuda (Keski-Uudenmaan Ammattiopisto) to arrange this event annually at Saaren kartano.

I must say I was positively surprised, because I expected something smaller. The event was mainly set up in a large greenhouse. There were farm animals, a large Christmas market, a flower market, a cafeteria and even a chapel - and of course a possibility to meet Santa Claus.

For children there were events like the "gnome path", puppet shows and visits to a cowhouse. My kid had a great time.

Christmas markets @ Helsinki

Today is Epiphany, the end of Christmas time. So it's about time to post a few pictures from the Christmas Markets in the centre of Helsinki.

These pictures were taken on the 17th of December from Tuomaan Markkinat at Esplanadi Park, and Kampin Joulumaa at Narinkkatori. I visited these sites early on the morning, when they were not yet fully open, thus the closed booths and absence of other people. :)

Joulumaa was moreof a commercial setup for children, but it looked nice in any case.

The two other pictures are: Sokos department store in Christmas lights, and "the French market" event arranged at Lasipalatsin Aukio.

Happy New Year 2011 folks!

Tallinn funtime

Oops, it's been a while without an update..

Well, it's always nice to visit Tallinn. This time it was a tour in the Old Town pubs and clubs. At first we enjoyed some tasty beef at Argentiina restaurant. Then it was time to head to the Valli Baar for a round of "Millimallikas" shots.

now that the traditional Christmas market is at the Raekoja plats, it's time to stop for some glühwein.

DM Baar has moved to a new, bigger and central location, but alas I must say that I feel it has lost some of the original touch. It seems more like a regular bar now, with just the limitation that Depeche Mode is still everywhere, of course.

Last bar for the visit was Hell Hunt ("The Gentle Wolf"). Their house brand beers were quite OK.

My tour was "a tourist cliché" the locals might sigh, but my first time in any of these places and I found them interesting.

Further, something interesting left store for a future visit could be "Hookah Café" as we don't have that kind of places in Finland. Also, Ölletorn with wide selection of Estonian beers might be interesting.

From the beginning of next year, Estonia will adopt the Euro currency. Let's see what happens to prices..

Signs of Winter 2011, part #2: Ensilumi

Three nights ago it was time for "the first snow". There is still plenty of it on the ground, but most likely it will still melt away (many times) before the real winter starts.