Sibelius Monument

On a very warm Saturday we decided to go for a picnic to the park by the Sibelius monument, one of the landmarks of Helsinki which honors the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

This abstract monument designed by Eila Hiltunen looks like an organ with its 600 hollow steel pipes welded together. It is 8,5m tall and 10,5m wide. By its side lies the bust of the composer.
Impressive piece of work!

If you pass by Helsinki, it's worth having a walk in the park and see the monument (wait for the tourists bus to go so you may really enjoy the place) and just around the corner indulge yourself with an ice cream or a cup of coffe by the sea. The grown up as well as the little ones will enjoy the spot.

-c-

 

Helsinki: Drink and Dine

Thanks to a young colleague, I had an amazingly tasteful and different dinner. Place to go is called Shanghai Cowboy, mexican fusion spot opened by a californian expat. Located in the heart of Helsinki (Erottajankatu 15-17), it took us a moment to find it as the sign is pretty small - or maybe we were too busy talking and not concentrating in finding the restaurant.

The interior is quite simple and stripped down but cozy. The atmosphere is trendy and cool with the clients ranging from twenties to hip forties – the latter being me ;)

 

The service was brilliantly simple and taken care by friendly young waiters. The music was quite loud but did not bother me.

So now, let’s come to the drinks and dishes– drinks list has exciting and mysterious names. The ones we tasted were awesome. The dishes, mixtures of fresh ingredients take you to all the way to Mexico with a pinch of Asia. Coriander fans: you wanna eat there!

I thought I knew what is a nacho with guacamole and salsa. I did not! The lima pacific chalupa was just the right size of a mixture of amazing tastes including prawns, scallops, chili, lemon and avocado just to name a few. Coke and chocolate ribs: I will have it next time! The grilled banana: succulent.

Do I want to go again? Yes! Yes! Yes! It is from now on my favorite restaurant in Helsinki!

If you call it Vappu, that's what you get

It is Vappu (Walpurgis day) - a traditional spring festival and one of the biggest holiday in Finland.
Celebration starts on the evening of 30 April and continues to 1 May. All upper seconday school get to wear the white cap and you can imagine how its white colour get a darker shade every year! I would imagine the darker/dirtier it gets, the more respect you get  ;)
On 1 May, all generations party and picnic in the parks consuming sima (mead) and sparkling wine.

On Vappu's eve, I got to get together with a few friends and even though we have still cold weather it felt as summer is around the corner - maybe due to the buffet table's rainbow of colors and tastes.

 

 

Hyvää Vappua!
-c-