View of the islands dotted along the Helsinki Archipelago as we sailed out. Counting islands in Finland is a complicated matter, but the stated number is 179,584. Whether this number includes the 98,050 islands situated amid the country’s 188,000 lakes is not clear, but in any case Finland can lay claim to an enormous number of islands off its coast.

Sight of these blossoms warming up this chilly morning.

Revisiting our Day in Helsinki. Despite the chill, it was a pleasant day. Helsinki felt more like a large town rather than a city. We sauntered around the touristy sights and just enjoyed the friendly vibe along the charming districts.

The popular Esplanade Park, fondly referred to as “Espa” among locals, is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki. People come here to see and be seen, to listen to music and watch performances, and to enjoy picnics. Overseeing visitors is the Statue of of Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804–1877), Finland’s national poet and author of the Finnish national anthem.

Located at the South Harbour at one end of the Esplanade Park, the Market Square is Helsinki’s most international and famous market. The booths here sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs.

Apart from Nokia, Angry Birds and Marimekko, I gathered some interesting facts about Finland. So the Philippines has 7,641 islands vs. Finlands’ 179,000 islands not to mention 188,000 lakes. Crazy! And yes, they do have a Santa Claus who holds office in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland up in the Arctic Circle. His Official Residence still remains a mystery but you can visit him in Santa Claus Village. He receives about half a million letters a year from around the world. And his elves do sort them out and write back. Finland remains one of the top 5 countries with the most effective educational system (with Singapore, Japan And Korea) using the simplest strategy as noted https://fillingmymap.com/…/11-ways-finlands-education-syst…/ . Lastly, it was just fascinating for me to learn how Helsinki remained intact – avoiding USSR Bombardment in WW2 when neighbouring countries suffered massive losses. The Finns used fires and searchlights to trick Soviet bombers into dropping bombs outside the city. Little did they know that Helsinki was preserved and to this day, its original buildings are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

In the heart of Helsinki, in the old Kamppi cemetery, also called Vanha kirkkopuisto (Old Church Park) stands the Old Church, completed in 1826. It is decorated with simple pillars in the Doric style, gables and a delicate bell tower. The movables of the Ulrika Elonora church, which was demolished to make room to the Cathedral, were moved to the wooden church, which was meant to be temporary. Only the pulpit still exists.

The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. A statue of Alexander II (1894) stands in the middle of the Senate Square. Helsinki Cathedral is arguably Finland’s most famous and photographed building; it celebrates its 165th anniversary in 2017. The oldest stone building in Helsinki is the Sederholm House located on the southeast corner of the square. Today the building hosts the Helsinki City Museum. The church is part of Helsinki’s Empire era centre and a landmark for those arriving by sea. It has become the symbol of the whole of Helsinki. Earlier called St. Nicholas Church and Great Cathedral, the current main church of the Helsinki Diocese was completed in 1852. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church.

Uspensky Cathedral. With its golden cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of the Russian impact on Finnish history.

To the north of Kauppatori Square stands the Presidential Palace, one of C. L. Engel’s grand neo-classical buildings. Originally at the beginning of 19th century, a salt storehouse stood on the site. The entire lot was bought by merchant Johan Henrik Heidenstrauch who built the first palace in 1820. He had to sell it to the senate of Finland in 1837 and the building was moved to the official residence of the Tsar or Russia (Imperial Palace of Finland). The Imperial family of Russia visited the palace several times between 1854-1915. During the World War I palace functioned as military hospital for Russian Army. In the Finnish Civil War (1918) it was first the headquarters of the Executive Committee of the Helsinki Workers and Soldiers Soviet. With the victory of the Whites, the Reds abandoned the Palace, which was temporarily used by German and White Finnish military staff. After the war it was quickly converted to the presidential palace of independent Finland.

Marching towards a favourite past time.

Original Buildings just as they were erected.

Apart from the sightseeing, we were also able to check out Helsinki’s ‘everything store’ – The Stockmann.  It dotes a good line of Finnish souvenirs and Sámi handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewellery, clothes and lots more.  After all, Finland is among the world’s top five innovative economies.

Walked down Bulevardi to visit the Old Market Hall. This institution has served its customers since 1889. Merchants sell everything from cheese, fish, shellfish, vegetable, fruit and cakes to spices, ramen and sandwiches. Was hoping to catch the flea market outside, but it was probably too cold for everyone.

Wandering by the Swedish Theater.  Sharing a photo of the Theater’s interiors. This year marks its 150th anniversary. It is well worth a visit, if not for the performances, for the stunning architecture.

Coffee and Pastries by Cafe Ekberg

Excavated directly into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio church is situated in the heart of Helsinki, at the end of Fredrikinkatu. Because of its special architecture, the church, completed in 1969, is one of the main attractions in Helsinki.  The church hall is covered with a dome, lined with copper and supported on the rock walls by reinforced concrete beams. The interior walls are of rugged rock and rubble wall. Before noon, the light spreads from the row of windows surrounding the roof periphery to the altar wall, where an ice-age crevice serves as the altarpiece. Due to its excellent acoustics the church is a popular venue for concerts.

On researching more about Finland, I came across this fascinating article by http://www.momondo.co.uk/inspiration/facts-about-finland/.  Such trivia made me fall in love with Finland even more – This Land of the Midnight Sun.