Helsinki & her summer snow

Finally back in my bed in Uppsala. The 5 days we spent in Helsinki seemed to drag by. It's a really pretty place and ordinarily I would've probably loved it, but the weather was erratic (snowing in summer, whut?), and there was just too much tension all the time. In any case, I survived and here are photographs:

The apartment we lived in was super cute and well furnished, had to climb up 4 flights of stairs every day but it was well worth it! 

Steak for dinner on our first night, it was a public holiday so we couldn't do much else. Meat wasn't very good but bearable. 

Dessert was a stark improvement though! I don't usually fancy cheesecake all that much, but this was really good! 

First stop on our second day: Senate Square

Lol, the papiton and I trying to do a jumpshot together and failing. 

Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral 

And success

One of the many knock offs of the Pont de l'Archeveche. 

Upenski Cathedral 

Skyline + pier + market square 

The mamipie bought some handmade craft jewellery. 

Wanted to be a kitty but this costs 25euros which is practically daylight robbery, yes? 

Sitting ducks

Lunch time portions were enormous, we almost died. 

Visited Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum by myself, it was amazing. 

Me hiding inside an art installation 

The work was inspired by a cartoon where a character disappeared into a painting. The artist wanted to explore the possibility of one "stepping into the work" of art. 

Photographs of Nigerians reflected against black drums filled with water. As the viewer peers into the images, they see themselves against the reflection of the water. This piece is a statement on how the West uses Africa as a dumping ground for its own benefit (toxic waste was sent to Nigeria for disposal and many Nigerians were poisoned/physically affected due to having to handle the drums by hand). 

Exhibit title inspired by Adrienne Rich's work; suggesting the sublime capacity of art to effect change while also acknowledging that it is sometimes ineffectual in the face of despair. 

On the third day, we took a cruise to Tallin (Estonia)! 

The wind was crazy strong on the deck, lol. 

Can't remember what this church was called, but no photography was allowed indoors. 

Yeah I took this before being chided by the church guide (I swear I didn't know). 

Tallin's KUMA Art Museum; the works spanned the century, covering Romantic, Impressionist, Realist, Surrealist, Modern & Contemporary. 

Crusin' back to Helsinki

On the 4th day I was given free reign to go wherever I liked while the parentships took a ferry to Sumolina Island (I've no idea if I spelled this correctly; colour me lazy, but I can't be bothered to google it). 

After a little wandering, I found my first stop! Helsinki Museum of Photography. It was interesting, but sad to say, not too impressive. The exhibit was small and it cost about $10sgd for entry, good works but overall kinda dull. 

Second stop: Amos Anderson Museum. Took me over an hour to get here though it was probably only a 15mins tram ride + 5 mins walk away from the first museum. The problem was that I got off at the wrong stop and had to walk about 8 blocks to get here, lol. It was worth it though, 6 stories of exhibit halls showing a variety of subject, only 2euros to enter! 

My next stop was Lokal, a gallery x cafe that I found online! Was glad to be able to navigate my way here without getting too hopelessly lost. The place was absolutely adorable, super quaint. 

Break for lunch at some kind of fast-food joint. This was supposed to be my 4th stop before 2 other museums but that never happened because it started raining/hailing heavily outside and I couldn't leave. 

So I decided to get a drink instead, lol. 

The parentships finally joined me after an hour or two and I watched them have a classy lunch. 

We headed back in the evening after some grocery shopping and the papiman made roast pork, chicken wings and fish! They also bought escargots but that's not really my kinda thing. 

Didn't bring my camera out on the last day. Basically, all I did was to bring the mothership out to town and accompanied her as she shopped (endlessly) before heading back to the b&b to rest before heading to the airport to fly back to Sweden. 

Dinner before our flight at O'Learys. 

That's all for the trip! The parentships will still be around until this Sunday morning. To be honest, it has been exhausting having them around and it makes me feel bad to say so, but I love them very much nonetheless.