My Christmas Trip from Estonia to Finland

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To spend some days with a good friend is wonderful. For many years I have been following the tradition and travel to Finland as soon as Christmas holidays at school start.

It takes me quite long. First I go to Tallinn by bus, then by ferry to Helsinki and finally train delivers me to Kouvola where the family of my friend lives.

My daughter-in-law met me in Tallinn and drove to the port.

About an hour of waiting near the gate was not boring. I made some calls and admired the sea view including the ferry in the distance which was going to take me to Helsinki.

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The abstract paintings at the gate entrance also attracted attention. I found it to be not bad.

On board, I easily found a comfortable sit for my 2,5-hour voyage and took some walk around. Christmas mood was everywhere.

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The day was stormy, and the the ship was rocking very noticeably. Luckily, seasickness in not what I suffer from. The sea waves were sometimes making high splashes and windows were wet, even on the nearly top deck where I was sitting.

Helsinki met me with rain and a mess of snow and water on the roads and sidewalks.

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The sea port terminal I arrived at is located close to the centre of Helsinki, so i decided not to catch a tram but walk to the train station to enjoy the beauty of the city and its Christmas decoration. Well, it was not very beautiful in the port area in the weather of that day - wet and dirty snow did not make it picturesque. What is more, I got tired very soon dragging behind my suitcase, the wheels of which refused to roll but only shoveled the snow. Luckily, it did not last for too long, and the picture changed when I reached the centre of the city.


	SOME INTERESTING BUILDINGS IN THE PORT AREA

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When I noticed a group of half-naked people in the distance near the sea, I thought that my eyesight was playing tricks me as the air temperature was no higher than zero Celsius. However, it turned out that these were indeed people who plunged and swam in icy water. When I zoomed, it became clearly visible.
		The snowflake GIF was taken from the Internet resourses.

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These orange tents are pre-Christmas market. They were closed at that time, so I could only guess what they were selling except from the pritty spruce trees - the Christmas trees.

Returning home a week later I took some more pictures of that place. It was about 11am, and that time the market was working.


People sell many interesting things from these tents - souvenirs and handmade toys, knitted clothes (hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters), hot coffee and food to eat there or take home.

This woman in the picture below does not waste time - she is knitting something colourful looking like a future jumper - while talking with a customer.

Gnomes and rabbits near the other tent. I cannot say I would like to buy any at this price.

A nice view to the orthodox church. I zoomed it for the second picture.

One more interesting historical object near the Christmas market - the memorial obelisk in honor of the Russian Tsar Alexander I.

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I just love this statue! It probably is the new one because I do not remember it was there last year.

The huge Cathedral on the main street looks impressive in any weather.

Decorations of streets in Helsinki is always beautiful. Christmas trees on nearly every corner, lots of lights with pretty reflections some of which I am going to use as top pictures in my Reflection Hunters contest.

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A cute shiny bear near one of the shops on the central street made me stop for some minutes - I needed nice reflections but I am not sure I succeeded much in my hunting.

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Some windows were decorated with huge historical photographs of last century Helsinki. Interesting to compare. Also, I noticed some reflections on them which were not bad either.

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There was nearly no snow in the very city centre - good for reflection hunting and making dragging of my suitcase much easier. :)

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I like this Christmas decoration of the ROLEX office windows. I was looking for the them while walking along the street because their last year decorations, which I still remember, impressed me a lot.

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This is the place where I ran into another "hunter" for reflections. A young man was nearly lying on the wet pavement trying to catch them the best way. It may look funny for people around but we felt like friends :-). We had a short talk, and I told him about our HIVE. He looked interested and promised to try. Who knows - maybe we will see him among us soon.

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My walk to the train station comes to the end. The station building is visible ahead. Just to cross the road with a huge square in front of it - and here I am!

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The Christmas decorations inside are laconic but beautiful.

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And a ple