Porvoo = A Finnish experience NOT in Hesinki!!
March 25th 2010 12:02
Time: 1:30pm Date: 25/03/2010 Location: My Apartment, Helsinki
Firstly, my apologies for not blogging in such a long time! Will attempt to get back on track in the next few weeks.
Anyway, a few weeks ago I went to Porvoo - Finland's second oldest town. It felt great to experience something else in Finland other than the capital city: Helsinki. Only an hour away on bus, it was well worth it. Having been up the whole night from a mate's birthday party two nights before, I felt reenergised for the trip from Fridays' long and soothing sleep. My travel companion for the day was Samantha Lenkic who is my university (Monash) compatriot from back home. We were awaiting our arrival from Miss Hanna Othman, who has grown up in Porvoo most of her life. She recently studied in Melbourne at Monash on exchange and has since then become both Sam and I's tourist guide as well as good mate.
We arrived late morning and were welcomed with snow - no surprise, really! Hanna met us at the main bus terminal in the centre of the town which houses only nearly 50,000 people. It did feel like a real old country town until I saw a ski centre right smack bang in the middle of it but I will get to that later! Firstly, we went to visit the old church and since Porvoo is a swedish-speaking town, the Swedes get priority to use this one. However, Hanna did mention that the church became alight a couple of years ago but the town did well to come together at a time of crisis and save it. Inside, there is so much history and beautiful architecture, however evidence of the fire still remain. It was clear that Hanna brushed up on her history of Porvoo before we visited - she even knew where the Tsar came to stay upon his visit many, many years ago!
We then went to a little cafe on the main street of the Old Town and had the Lonely Planet recommended Runeberg tart, named after the famous Johan Runeberg (go figure) - a Finnish poet and writer of Finland's national anthem. The tart is a Finnish pastry that is seasoned with almonds and rum and it usually weighs about 100 grams. There is usually raspberry jam in a sugar ring on the tart. Very nice!
Hanna then took us to visit her work - Radio Vega - a Swedish radio station. This was really cool. She currently works as a journalist for them but this is expectant of Fins finding summer jobs in journalism is easy to get and everyone studying journalism seems to have one. After that, Hanna showed us the Swedish chocolate factory: Brunberg chocolates. Sadly, the factory was closed for the weekend but the shop was still open and that was all that mattered!
We then went to visit her school. Once again, a SWEDISH SPEAKING school. But the best was yet to come - we managed to get a free tour inside Runebergs house, where he lived for many years. Everything is still the same - even the plants and the guy died like 140 years ago!! Incredible!
Admist the afternoon sunshine as a matter of fact, we walked (and drove) around the town, basically covering every street in the city. A massive river borders the town, along with many little red houses. Hanna taught us that these our storing sheds used in the Summer. Finally, we came across this ski centre! I immediately became so jealous! Imagine, having a ski slope in your backyard!!! Every day, I would go snowboarding...every day!!
After a long day, we went back to Hannas' house - the first actual house I have seen and been into for months. I don't know if you can describe the typical Finnish home but this was beautiful. Not old, but not modern, built next to the river which must look amazing during the summer time. We were even spoilt with homemade sausage stew for lunch; kindly made by Mrs Othman. A fitting end to a very Finnish day.
Gotta Get Your Hands On One Of These Babies: Me eating the famous Runeberg tart!
Firstly, my apologies for not blogging in such a long time! Will attempt to get back on track in the next few weeks.
Anyway, a few weeks ago I went to Porvoo - Finland's second oldest town. It felt great to experience something else in Finland other than the capital city: Helsinki. Only an hour away on bus, it was well worth it. Having been up the whole night from a mate's birthday party two nights before, I felt reenergised for the trip from Fridays' long and soothing sleep. My travel companion for the day was Samantha Lenkic who is my university (Monash) compatriot from back home. We were awaiting our arrival from Miss Hanna Othman, who has grown up in Porvoo most of her life. She recently studied in Melbourne at Monash on exchange and has since then become both Sam and I's tourist guide as well as good mate.
We arrived late morning and were welcomed with snow - no surprise, really! Hanna met us at the main bus terminal in the centre of the town which houses only nearly 50,000 people. It did feel like a real old country town until I saw a ski centre right smack bang in the middle of it but I will get to that later! Firstly, we went to visit the old church and since Porvoo is a swedish-speaking town, the Swedes get priority to use this one. However, Hanna did mention that the church became alight a couple of years ago but the town did well to come together at a time of crisis and save it. Inside, there is so much history and beautiful architecture, however evidence of the fire still remain. It was clear that Hanna brushed up on her history of Porvoo before we visited - she even knew where the Tsar came to stay upon his visit many, many years ago!
We then went to a little cafe on the main street of the Old Town and had the Lonely Planet recommended Runeberg tart, named after the famous Johan Runeberg (go figure) - a Finnish poet and writer of Finland's national anthem. The tart is a Finnish pastry that is seasoned with almonds and rum and it usually weighs about 100 grams. There is usually raspberry jam in a sugar ring on the tart. Very nice!
Hanna then took us to visit her work - Radio Vega - a Swedish radio station. This was really cool. She currently works as a journalist for them but this is expectant of Fins finding summer jobs in journalism is easy to get and everyone studying journalism seems to have one. After that, Hanna showed us the Swedish chocolate factory: Brunberg chocolates. Sadly, the factory was closed for the weekend but the shop was still open and that was all that mattered!
We then went to visit her school. Once again, a SWEDISH SPEAKING school. But the best was yet to come - we managed to get a free tour inside Runebergs house, where he lived for many years. Everything is still the same - even the plants and the guy died like 140 years ago!! Incredible!
Admist the afternoon sunshine as a matter of fact, we walked (and drove) around the town, basically covering every street in the city. A massive river borders the town, along with many little red houses. Hanna taught us that these our storing sheds used in the Summer. Finally, we came across this ski centre! I immediately became so jealous! Imagine, having a ski slope in your backyard!!! Every day, I would go snowboarding...every day!!
After a long day, we went back to Hannas' house - the first actual house I have seen and been into for months. I don't know if you can describe the typical Finnish home but this was beautiful. Not old, but not modern, built next to the river which must look amazing during the summer time. We were even spoilt with homemade sausage stew for lunch; kindly made by Mrs Othman. A fitting end to a very Finnish day.
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