Budapest and the gradual return to a semblance of normality…

July 23, 2021July 23, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Did the world become a friendlier place or is Budapest always been like this?

After a year and 7 months, we were able to travel outside of Finland again. Europe has reopened especially to those who are fully vaccinated. Hungary has also claimed to have reached herd immunity or at least, a large portion of its population has already been vaccinated. It’s very rare to see people wearing masks and there are no social distancing whatsoever. Restrictions have been lifted and it seems like the old times. However, there are obviously less tourists which is nice in many ways. There are no crowds, no tour groups and all that.

I was really loving the architecture in Budapest. I can imagine how glorious this city was in its former days. I can’t stop admiring all the fine details placed into building this city. But what fascinated me even more was how friendly and helpful people were. It was so amazing! This friendly atmosphere was something that I didn’t expect. Is Budapest always been like this or did the world become a friendlier place?

When we booked our hotel room, we chose the cheaper option. But, we were upgraded to the best room of the hotel which has two double rooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a rooftop which faces the Hungarian Opera. It was such a treat! And one of the must places to visit in Buda is the Fisherman’s Bastion. Such a breathtaking view!

I also recommend climbing the Citadella for its amazing view of the city after sunset and when the city lights are on!

Summer sunset

July 4, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Sunset is my favourite hour of the day. It’s the transition hour, the magic hour when light changes…

All photos by Ari Vitikainen

Bunias orientalis in Suomenlinna

June 20, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s that time of the year again when the Suomenlinna island is dominated by Bunias orientalis. And to be honest, it is so beautiful! The meeting of the yellow flowers with the blue skies and blue sea is something not to be missed. The sight makes the heat unbearable…

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 4 kilometres away from the Helsinki city centre by ferry. It is a popular destination among the tourists and the locals alike. BTS was here in 2019 too! On this hot summer day, people are here for a swim, for a picnic or just a simple afternoon walk.

All photos by Ari Vitikainen @ https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com

Afternoon tea at Salutorget

June 20, 2021May 4, 2026 by elainevitikainen ♥ 5 Comments

If you are the type of person who enjoys spending the afternoon sipping cups of tea at a beautiful place, I do recommend visiting Salutorget located in Pohjoisesplanadi in Helsinki.

It is said that Salutorget is one of the unwavering landmarks of the historic Esplanade. Its rich history can be felt in the magnificent Art Nouveau bank hall built in an old merchant building. The restaurant’s location for more than a hundred years on the corner of the maritime Market Square means that Salutorget is part of Helsinki and Helsinki is part of Salutorget.

I’ve enjoyed afternoon teas in different places before, also in different countries. But one thing that stood out for me here was having oyster and a teaspoonful of pouched quail egg with my tea!

Photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com

Riverside Park

June 14, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The Riverside Park is located in Kotka city. This park was previously called Friendship Park after friendship trees were planted here during the mid-70’s. From 2012 to 2015, the park was rebuilt and changed its name to Riverside Park. It used to be a part of the Kotka harbour in the old days for shipping livestock, mainly sheep, to Tallinn and Narva.

Although it’s not a vast park in terms of its area, it was designed to cover an array of colourful plants where people can enjoy a nice walk and a lovely picnic with a view of the river. It’s amazingly beautiful!

All photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com

Beautiful Finnish summer

June 12, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s the second COVID summer in Finland. However, the COVID cases are getting lower each passing day with 47 cases yesterday. Vaccination is in full speed. 49.2 % of the population have now received one dose while 12.2 % are already fully vaccinated. Seems like things are going to the right direction and most of the restrictions have been lifted, expect for large gatherings and the recommendation to avoid non-essential travels. This feels like I’m very much affected as I’m truly missing concerts and traveling. This is also affecting my work!

But here I am, grateful of the beautiful summer we are experiencing in Finland right now. Blue skies, blue waters and colourful flowers. It’s just about right. It’s just what I needed! How is your summer? Let me know!

All photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com

Conquering the second year of COVID summer

June 2, 2021June 12, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Exactly a year ago, I wrote my first blog about the beginning of my summer COVID style. I thought it was the first and the last COVID summer. But here I am conquering this second year and hoping for the best. My work has been very much affected as it involves travels and gathering of people. But we have gone too low that there is no other way but to go up! Let’s conquer this summer in blue! Blue skies, blue sea, blue dress and coffee! 🙂

Outdoor cafe, anyone?

February 5, 2021 by elainevitikainen ♥ 7 Comments

There is nothing like a cup of hot, creamy chocolate in this very cold day. You need a warm blanket and another warm blanket to enjoy it outside. But the experience is worth it. It’s not an everyday occurrence to be sat in -10C but felts like -20C, right? A cafe on the island of Suomenlinna is just the best place to have it. This place is so idyllic and you will like its pink exterior. The cakes were lovely too!

All photos by Ari Vitikainen @ https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com

Christmas COVID style

December 25, 2020December 25, 2020 by elainevitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This Christmas season, it was inevitable to spend it following the COVID recommendation. Although, there were still unavoidable situations like the crowded shops ( we need to get food!), in general, downtown Helsinki was strangely quiet. The city is obviously lacking some tourists as seen during our evening stroll on the 23rd. It actually feels empty.

However, the Grand Noel afternoon tea at the Kämp Braserrie is not to be missed. Additional Christmas flavours are added to spice up the Christmas spirit. The obvious addition is the gingerbread macaron.

One of the Christmas traditions in Finland is to visit the cemetary on Christmas eve. Hietaniemi cemetary is located 650 meters from our flat. Many famous Finns are buried here since the 1820s. Here, I’m standing where people can light candles for those who were buried in other places. We also visited the graves of past Finnish presidents.

One fun thing I did this Christmas time was to open a Japan crate. My first time ever! I got Julian from the Animal Crossing. It was lots of fun! Greetings too from Emiko who lives on Mochi Island. Please come and visit!

Here is also an illustrated recipe of Joulutorttu. Joulutorttu is a Finnish Christmas pastry made from puff pastry in the shape of a star, filled with prune jam and dusted with icing sugar.

Have a Happy Christmas to all!

All photos (except my illustrations and Emiko on Animal Crossing) by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainenphotography.com

Golden Helsinki

October 15, 2020 by elainevitikainen ♥ 2 Comments

Autumn is my favourite season. Everywhere in Helsinki seems to be framed by this beautiful Autumn colours and the lovely golden backdrop. Helsinki is even more beautiful in Autumn and this year has been an endless supply of warm and sunshine.

One of the best places to see the Autumn colours is at the Hesperia Park. This park never ceases to amaze me and gives so much hope for the coming darkness.