Helsinki - Day 1

For the second May Bank Holiday we decided to hit Scandinavia, Helsinki-style. I'm not one for the cold so this was the ideal time to go. We touched down at lunch time and clouds looked like they were going to crack. We boarded the Finnair Bus to take us to the city centre and by the time we reached our destination it was pissing down. Our hotel wasn't too far according to the map but trying to get your bearings in an unfamiliar city in the pouring rain - not a good start.

Smee and I ran through the puddles and over some tram tracks to reach Hotel Glo. Our room was a little small (I think we got stiffed!) but otherwise I'd recommend it. How can you not recommend a hotel who arranges a little white tiger on your bed?  Too bad he wasn't free.  I would have taken him home in an instant!  Also, the hotel is opposite the Fazer Cafe, the Finnish equivalent to Lindt. 

Our early morning flight and lack of previous night's sleep meant that we napped as soon as we checked in.  Hehehe.  Hey, it was raining and we weren't exactly keen on battling the un-winnable war with the puddles.  Upon waking it was dinner time!  Of all places we chose to eat at the nearby Belgian restaurant, Belge.  Smee had a mussels craving you see.

From the exterior, Belge looked like any other modern pub.  The dining area was upstairs (away from the general noise) and also next to a really cool Library Bar section.  Oooh the epitome of Geek Chic. The menus were presented in a Tin-Tin book!  The food was more expensive than London (wtf) and passable to say the least.  Our bill was presented to us a in a book.  Cute.

In order to aid our digestion, we decided to take a walk around the town.  It was a bit bizarre to be walking around at 11pm and for daylight to still be visible.  It was like I was on another planet, where day is night and night is day!

The Helsinki Cathedral of Senate Square.... at 11pm at night.  Ker-razy!

Ok, now off to bed... in the daylight.  *looks side to side*