Helsinki, Finland’s proud capital, then a long ferry ride to Germany, and endless km before finally reaching Swizzyland.
Porvoo 2 Luzern
Sondby, 10th July
We’re at our campsite in Parainen, just a few km from Turku in southern Finland. An unusually nice evening after days of grey’n’drizzly weather.
The next morning, we tackle our last longer stretch in Finland – heading to Porvoo, a few kilometers east of Helsinki. About 200 km and 3h of driving. The landscape? The usual: trees on the left, trees on the right, and the road straight ahead.
We go to a campsite outside town. A kind of a weird place, with lots of friendly permanent campers hanging around the reception all the time.
Since the weather’s terrible again, we’ve got plenty of time for some more blog poetry and dolce far niente.
Helsinki, 12th July
Porvoo – 1 of the oldest towns in Finland. Famous for its charming alleys lined with historic wooden houses and its iconic red warehouses along the waterfront.
We have seen a lot of tourists all over Finland. But mostly Finys on their summer holidays, and hardly any foreign visitors.
But here in Porvoo, it’s a whole different story. Tons of tour groups coming in on day trips from Helsinki. We even spotted a group of cruise shippys – didn’t think that cruise ships come to Finland. It seems like there’s no escape anymore from these tourist fattening industries.
After dealing with all those tourists, we’re off to Helsinki – just 50 km to the west.
We’re staying at Camping Rastila, out in the suburbs of Finland’s proud capital. Well, it’s not really a nice place, huge, clearly built for the summer crowds, and pretty full. Whatever, it’s the only option and next to a metro station.
The next morning – bright sunshine, perfect for exploring Helsinki.
Normally, we’d just hop on the metro right next to the campsite – and 15′ later we’re in the city. But, currently it’s closed for repairs. So instead, we start with a bus to another station. Well, 45′ later we finally make it to town.
We arrive at Helsinki’s 19th-century railway station – a bombastic building – probably not everyone’s cup of tea, even though the BBC once named it the most beautiful station in the world.
Let’s see what more the architecture of the city has to offer.
First stop: the so-called Silent Church – a place for poor sinners to chill out after all the temptations of the city.
Then to the Amos Rex Museum – outside, it’s a popular hangout spot, inside a few exhibitions. We stick to the outside.
A stroll over to the famous Oodi Library. On the way, a pretty strange fountain – no clue what the idea behind it is.
Next up: the Rock Church. Back to the tourist crowds. At the entrance, we have to wait with 100s of impatient visitors for a few minutes while a wedding ceremony wraps up – well, this couple must know what they’re doing.
Time for a gourmet lunch. We check out a bunch of menus. It seems Helsinki has one specialty that every place offers: Burgers.
In the end, we go with Monika’s all-time favorite to get a real fine-food burger fast food style, dedicated to US taste.
Freshly fueled after that glorious lunch, we head over to Helsinki’s port area.
This definitely feels like the ultimate tourist hotspot. Everything here is designed to transfer as much money as possible from poor tourists straight into the local economy.
We have a peek inside the well-known Old Market Hall – home of the most expensive eateries we’ve ever seen in Finland. Then a stroll along the quays with a market selling pretty much everything China has to offer for tourists, and eventually arrive at the Uspenskin Cathedral – an Orthodox church.
The folks at the church have a pretty consumer-friendly system for handling entrance tickets. It seems like they only sell a limited number each day. But after that? They don’t close the church – no, visitors can just walk in for free. Great, isn’t it? At least, that’s the way we understand it.
And that’s it – our visit to Helsinki and our journey thru Finland.
So, how was Finland? To be honest… a tad less captivating than Norway, just to steer clear of calling it a bit dull.
Nowhere near as exciting or adventurous as Norway. It was mostly about forests, lakes, and mozzies. What else would you expect?
And the Finys? Hard to say – especially in a culture where silence is basically part of small talk.
Hannoversch Münden, 15th July
Our last day in Finland. We’re on our way to the ferry dock. Just a few km to go, then it’s check-in, a bit of waiting, and we’re boarding the ferry to Travemünde, Germany. A 31h trip crossing the Baltic Sea.
We’re a bit surprised by how few people are taking this route to Germany. Just a handful of ordinary cars, even fewer campervans, but quite a few trailers.
And not many Finys either – it seems they really prefer staying in their own country. Maybe that’s why Finland feels so packed in July.
Anyway, the ferry feels more like 1 for trucks than 1 meant for us poor tourists. Even if they made a rather small compartment especially for people like us – with cabins, a watering hole, and an eatery serving more than anybody could eat. Maybe that’s their concept to keep tourists happy.
So, time for a beer – followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner.
The next evening, after a day of chilling, reading, dolce far niente, and nonstop eating – a huge breakfast, a lunch buffet, and yet another all-you-can eat dinner, we finally approach Travemünde.
Tonight, we’re looking for a self-service camper stop. Since we’re in Germany, we know campsites come with a few rules – most importantly, never even think about disturbing a campsite manager or his staff outside of working hours. So, no chance at 9pm to enter a campsite.
Luckily, the town of Travemünde seems well aware of this special feature of German campsites. They set up several camper stops to cater to poor campers arriving by ferry.
Now it really feels like we’re on our way back to Swizzyland. About 1000km on busy highways thru Germany ahead.
Today, to the small town of Hannoversch Münden, just under 400km to drive.
When we get there, we head to another characteristic German campsite – gate’s closed at 9 pm (at least you get a key), the plots divided by perfectly shaped hedges, and of course, the all-important note which power point to use.
In the afternoon, a stroll thru the old town with its timbre-framed houses …
… followed by dinner at the go-to eatery in town.
Luzern, 17th July
Another 400 km to Appenweier on boring, often jammed-up highways, …
… occasionally broken up by quick stops at one of Germany’s not too inviting rest areas.
In the afternoon, we arrive at our campsite near Appenweier, right in the middle of farmland.
Then a well-deserved beer at their so-so eatery.
The next day, just 200 km to go until we’re back in Luzern.
Before crossing the border, we stop at 1 of Germany’s big supermarkets to stock up everything that’s either unavailable or way too pricey in Swizzyland. Then it’s off for the final stretch.
Well, we’re back – after 9 weeks and 12 000km thru northern Europe. Most of the time, of course, we spent in Norway, where we enjoyed the stunning landscapes and nature … and endured the miserable weather.
Time for a much-needed spa for the van and us.
Well folks, that’s it for this post – and for this journey.
Thanx for your patience while waiting forever for new updates – and especially for reading all this rambling poetry.
Just remains the big question: what’s next?
Well … you’ll see – once we’re back on this blog.
Cheeeers
Monika’n’Martin