Yesterday we went on a pretty spontaneous trip to Porvoo, a picturesque little city east of Helsinki. It was one of those trips where you just say, screw it, let's just do it. It would have been cheaper to book the bus tickets online, but when I tried to do so the website didn't let me. If you book online and add the student discount, you only pay around 5 € per way, which isn't too bad. It's about a one hour ride by bus. We were lucky regarding the weather, every now and then a bit of sun broke through the cloudy sky and sometimes we even spotted bits of blue sky. When we arrived in Porvoo, which is the second oldest city in Finland after Turku by the way, we just explored a little and enjoyed the view.
The city is known for its colorful wooden houses and a historical city centre that looks like it would fit perfectly into one of those Astrid Lindgren novels my mom used to read to me as a child. What I also like about it are all the adorable stores that frame the narrow streets. If you're looking for nice gifts to bring home or something to decorate your home with, you will find it here.
The first thing we did when we arrived was find a café to get our morning coffee and try one of those cakes named after J.L. Runeberg. They were developed by a Porvoo baker and confectioner who lived during the national poet's lifetime, from cakes that the poet is said to have enjoyed for breakfast. Later on the people of Porvoo began to call them Runeberg's cakes, and they are still sold in Porvoo cafés today.
The city is known for its colorful wooden houses and a historical city centre that looks like it would fit perfectly into one of those Astrid Lindgren novels my mom used to read to me as a child. What I also like about it are all the adorable stores that frame the narrow streets. If you're looking for nice gifts to bring home or something to decorate your home with, you will find it here.
The first thing we did when we arrived was find a café to get our morning coffee and try one of those cakes named after J.L. Runeberg. They were developed by a Porvoo baker and confectioner who lived during the national poet's lifetime, from cakes that the poet is said to have enjoyed for breakfast. Later on the people of Porvoo began to call them Runeberg's cakes, and they are still sold in Porvoo cafés today.
It's really a beautiful city, perfect for a one-day-trip. I guess it would also be nice to spend more time here, but -and I quote- 'ain't nobody got time for that!'
I enjoyed walking through the city and the nearby forest, just taking it all in. Sometimes it's nice not to have a certain plan or aim, when you can just go and see what you come across. I would say Porvoo is perfect for such a trip, because it's not that big and you'll find something worth your while without even looking for it. Since it was Saturday most of the stores closed pretty early so we took a bus home around four o'clock already. Back at Kamppi we decided to have a drink somewhere. Jan suggested Kallio but was afraid that it would be as full as last time we went there. I remarked that it was only 5 p.m. and no one in their right mind would already sit in a bar drinking, except maybe for the regular guests. You lose sense of time here pretty quickly, as soon as it get's dark. And at 5 p.m. it already feels like it's the middle of the night. Right now I'm just desperately waiting for snow or summer. Either one is fine. As long as it lessens the darkness. But I should really not complain, yesterday was fun, a perfect day. :)
I enjoyed walking through the city and the nearby forest, just taking it all in. Sometimes it's nice not to have a certain plan or aim, when you can just go and see what you come across. I would say Porvoo is perfect for such a trip, because it's not that big and you'll find something worth your while without even looking for it. Since it was Saturday most of the stores closed pretty early so we took a bus home around four o'clock already. Back at Kamppi we decided to have a drink somewhere. Jan suggested Kallio but was afraid that it would be as full as last time we went there. I remarked that it was only 5 p.m. and no one in their right mind would already sit in a bar drinking, except maybe for the regular guests. You lose sense of time here pretty quickly, as soon as it get's dark. And at 5 p.m. it already feels like it's the middle of the night. Right now I'm just desperately waiting for snow or summer. Either one is fine. As long as it lessens the darkness. But I should really not complain, yesterday was fun, a perfect day. :)
For anyone interested in visiting Porvoo I would suggest taking a look at www.visitporvoo.fi for more inspiration on what to do and see.
Since it was Saturday most of the stores closed pretty early so we took a bus home around four o'clock already. Back at Kamppi we decided to have a drink somewhere. Jan suggested Kallio but was afraid that it would be as full as last time we went there. I remarked that it was only 5 p.m. and no one in their right mind would already sit in a bar drinking, except maybe for the regular guests. You lose sense of time here pretty quickly, as soon as it get's dark. And at 5 p.m. it already feels like it's the middle of the night. Right now I'm just desperately waiting for snow or summer. Either one is fine. As long as it lessens the darkness. But I should really not complain, yesterday was fun, a perfect day. :)
Since it was Saturday most of the stores closed pretty early so we took a bus home around four o'clock already. Back at Kamppi we decided to have a drink somewhere. Jan suggested Kallio but was afraid that it would be as full as last time we went there. I remarked that it was only 5 p.m. and no one in their right mind would already sit in a bar drinking, except maybe for the regular guests. You lose sense of time here pretty quickly, as soon as it get's dark. And at 5 p.m. it already feels like it's the middle of the night. Right now I'm just desperately waiting for snow or summer. Either one is fine. As long as it lessens the darkness. But I should really not complain, yesterday was fun, a perfect day. :)