Impressions of Helsinki
When I set foot on the land of Finland, I first arrived in the capital Helsinki. As soon as I got off the plane, the cool air hit me, with the unique coldness of Northern Europe, which instantly dispelled the fatigue of the long-distance flight. The signs at the airport are simple and clear, and the multilingual signs make it easy for first-time tourists to find their way.
I chose to take the Airport Express to the city. The scenery along the way gradually transitioned from the modern buildings around the airport to the scattered Nordic-style houses. Not long after, I arrived at the hotel in the city center. The hotel has a simple exterior, but the interior decoration is full of warm Nordic style. The wooden furniture and soft beds make people feel like they are back home.
After a short rest, I couldn’t wait to go to Suomenlinna. This coastal defense military fortress built more than 250 years ago has now become one of the most famous attractions in Finland. Climbing Suomenlinna, it seems to travel back in time. The ancient city walls, artillery and military camps have witnessed the historical changes of Finland. Walking along the streets of the castle, admiring the well-preserved buildings on both sides, and feeling the traces of time. The Emperor’s Gate is the symbol of Suomenlinna. It was built between 1753 and 1754 for military parades. This magnificent building shows the former glory of Suomenlinna. In the museum of Suomenlinna, there are many cultural relics and exhibits related to Finnish history, which gave me a deeper understanding of the country’s past.
After leaving Suomenlinna, I came to the Rock Church. This world-famous church was carved out of a whole piece of rock, and its unique design is breathtaking. The entrance of the church is inconspicuous, but when I walked into the church, I was deeply shocked by the scene in front of me. The circular dome is made of copper bars, and 100 radial reinforced concrete beams are connected to the rock wall to support the dome. Transparent glass is inlaid between the beams. The sunlight shines through the glass into the church, forming beautiful light and shadows. The walls of the church retain the original texture of the rock without any artificial carving, giving people a feeling of returning to nature. On one side of the church, there is a huge organ. The sound of the organ resonates in the church, resonating with the rocks, as if it is the sound from heaven.
Explore Turku
After a short stay in Helsinki, I went to Turku, the oldest city in Finland. This city, founded in 1229, was once the old capital of Finland. It is known as the “cradle of Finnish culture” and is full of a strong historical atmosphere.
As soon as I arrived in Turku, I went straight to Turku Castle. This castle was built in 1280 and was the most important military fortress during the Swedish rule of Finland. The 14 kings of Sweden used it as a palace. Now it is one of the best-preserved large castles in Northern Europe. The castle is located at the estuary of the lower reaches of the Aura River. It consists of two parts, the old castle and the new castle, with a total of five floors. Stepping into the castle, it seems to have traveled back to the Middle Ages. Precious furniture, jewelry, clothing, etc. are displayed in each room, allowing people to glimpse the luxurious life of the old princes and nobles. The King’s Hall and the Banquet Hall are magnificent, with exquisite murals and gorgeous chandeliers, all of which show the former glory.
After leaving the castle, I came to the market square. This is the city center of Turku, and it is very lively. There are many open-air stalls on the square, selling various handicrafts, souvenirs and fresh agricultural products. I shuttled through the crowd and felt the local life atmosphere. I was hungry, so I sat down in a restaurant near the square to taste the local food. Finland’s food culture is unique, mainly meat, fish and potatoes. In addition, Finland’s reindeer meat is also a must-try delicacy, with tender meat and rich nutrition. While tasting the food, I also tasted the local specialty beer. The aroma of malt and the refreshing taste added a lot of fun to this meal.
Encounter Santa Claus Village
As soon as you step into Santa Claus Village, it feels like you are in a white fairy tale world. The buildings in the village are full of Nordic style. The wooden houses are covered with thick snow, and the chimneys are emitting curling smoke, which makes people feel particularly warm. On the street, people were wearing thick cotton coats, furry hats and gloves, with happy smiles on their faces.
I first came to Santa Claus’s office and finally met the legendary Santa Claus. He was wearing a red cotton coat, a white hat and gloves, and his big white beard almost covered his entire face, with only a pair of eyes flashing with a kind light. Santa Claus greeted me warmly, his voice was low and warm, just as I imagined. He patiently answered my questions and gave me a small gift, a badge with a Santa Claus pattern, which made me very happy.
After leaving Santa Claus’s office, I came to the Christmas Post Office. This is the northernmost post office in the world, and it is also the place where Santa Claus communicates with children from all over the world. The post office is filled with all kinds of postcards and souvenirs, and the walls are covered with letters from children from all over the world to Santa Claus. I sat at the table in the post office and carefully wrote down my blessings to my family and friends, hoping that they can receive warm greetings from the Arctic Circle. After writing the postcards, I put them into the yellow mailbox. These postcards will fly to all parts of the world with my blessings.
In Santa Claus Village, there is also an important dividing line – the Arctic Circle. This line runs through the entire village, dividing the village into two parts, north and south. I found the sign of the Arctic Circle, which is a line drawn on the ground with white lines, and next to it stands a sign with “66°33′ North Latitude”. At the visitor center, I also received a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle, which has my name and the date of crossing the Arctic Circle. This is a precious souvenir of my visit to the Arctic Circle.
Saariselka Trip
From Santa Claus Village, I took a car to the next destination – Saariselka. Along the way, the scenery outside the window is like a flowing picture scroll. The vast forest is covered with thick snow, and the branches are hung with crystal clear icicles, which flash colorful light under the sunshine. The mountains in the distance are rolling, and the blue sky and white snow complement each other, forming a beautiful winter picture.
After arriving in Saariselkä, I couldn’t wait to participate in the dog sledding project. At the Husky Farm, I saw many lovely Huskies. Their hair was thick and dense, and their blue eyes were shining with smart light. When they saw someone coming, they excitedly wagged their tails and made a “woohoo” sound. The staff introduced me to the living habits and training methods of Huskies, and taught me how to drive a sled. It turns out that driving a sled is not difficult. As long as you master the skills of braking and steering, you can let the Huskies take me to gallop on the snow.
I got on the sled excitedly, holding the reins tightly in my hands. With the order of the staff, the Huskies rushed out like an arrow from a string. They ran very fast, and I could only hear the whistling wind in my ears, and the snowflakes came in my face, hitting my face and feeling cold. I felt the excitement of speeding on the snow, and I was in a very happy mood. The Huskies cooperated tacitly, and under the leadership of the lead dog, they moved quickly along the snow track. They sometimes accelerated and sometimes turned, and every movement was full of power and passion. The scenery along the way was beautiful, the dense forests and the white snow seemed to take me into a fairy tale world. I couldn’t help but sigh that this was the charm of nature, which could make people forget all troubles and immerse themselves in this beautiful moment.
In the evening, I participated in the aurora observation activity. We took a bus to a wilderness far away from the city lights. The night sky here is extremely clear, without a trace of clouds, and the stars are shining brightly, as if countless diamonds are inlaid on the black sky. The tour guide told us that the aurora index tonight is very high, and it is very likely to see beautiful aurora. Everyone was excited and took out their cameras and mobile phones to record this beautiful moment.
I stood quietly in the snow, looking up at the sky, my heart was full of awe and moved. At this moment, I felt the greatness of nature and the insignificance of human beings. This dreamlike aurora is the most precious gift given to us by nature. It makes me understand that there are still many beautiful things in this world waiting for us to discover and explore. I hope time can stand still and let me immerse myself in this beautiful aurora forever.
Nordic cuisine
In a trip to Finland, food is an indispensable part. Finland’s food culture is unique, integrating the rich local natural resources and unique historical culture. Every dish exudes a strong Nordic style.
Finland is rich in seafood resources, and salmon is one of the representatives. In a Finnish restaurant, I tasted the unforgettable smoked salmon. Fresh salmon is selected, marinated, smoked and other processes, and sliced into thin slices, with attractive color and clear texture. The moment you eat it, you will first feel the freshness and fatness of the salmon itself. The meat is delicate and melts in your mouth. Then the unique smoky flavor spreads in your mouth. The light smoky aroma just enhances the flavor of the salmon, adding a mellow and deep taste to the originally delicious fish meat. It is really memorable. There is also the salmon soup. The salmon is stewed with vegetables such as onions, carrots, potatoes, etc., and then cream and spices are added. The stewed soup is milky white and fragrant. Scoop a spoonful of soup into your mouth, and the rich umami flavor instantly spreads in your mouth. The freshness of the salmon, the sweetness of the vegetables and the mellowness of the cream are perfectly integrated. Every bite is full of warmth and satisfaction. On a cold winter day, a bowl of steaming salmon soup will heal you.
Finnish cuisine is closely linked to local culture. Finland has vast forests and lakes, and its rich natural resources provide fresh ingredients for food. The Finns’ reverence and love for nature are also reflected in their diet. They pay attention to the original flavor of the ingredients and pursue simple and pure cooking methods to fully display the original flavor of the food. Food also plays an important role in Finland’s traditional festivals and celebrations. For example, at Christmas, the Finns will prepare rich food, such as roast ham, smoked salmon, various cakes and desserts, etc. The family sits together to share the food and spend a happy time together. These delicacies not only satisfy people’s taste buds, but also are an important carrier for inheriting and promoting Finnish culture.
Unforgettable trip to Finland
With the end of the trip, I embarked on the return journey with full of memories and reluctance. Sitting on the plane, looking at the Finnish land gradually disappearing outside the window, those beautiful moments kept emerging in my mind like a movie.
During my stay in Finland, I experienced its unique natural scenery, from the quaint buildings in Helsinki to the primeval forests of Oulanka National Park, from the fairy tale world of Santa Claus Village to the snowy wilderness of Saariselka. Every scene intoxicated me and made me feel the ingenuity and infinite charm of nature. I also experienced its rich cultural customs. The unique charm of sauna culture, the joyful atmosphere of Midsummer Festival, and the mysterious romance of the legend of Santa Claus all gave me a deeper understanding of this country and made me feel the hospitality and love of life of the Finnish people.
I was also deeply impressed by the food in Finland. Specialties such as smoked salmon, reindeer meat, and Karelian pie are full of Nordic flavors in every bite, allowing me to appreciate the unique food culture of Finland while tasting the food.
This trip to Finland is not only a simple trip, but also a baptism of the soul and an exploration of the unknown world. It broadened my horizons, increased my knowledge, and made me cherish the beauty of life more. I know that this charming land has planted a seed of yearning in my heart. I look forward to the opportunity to set foot on this magical land again in the future to discover more beauty.
If you also want a unique trip to feel the purity and beauty of nature and experience the unique culture, then Finland is definitely a destination worth visiting. I believe that you will be conquered by its charm like me and leave an unforgettable memory.
