Sweden and Finland in September

Sweden and Finland in September

In September 2017 I spent a week in Stockholm and Helsinki (Yes, I know it's been a while since and only now I'm writing a post). 

I didn't have any expectations except for the fact that you do have to be careful with your funds as those two countries can leave your pockets empty before you know it. However, it's worth every bit. 

Stockholm struck me as a colourful city bathed in the sun, whose grandiose buildings look even more stunning that way. It's also special as it stretches across many islands, so you'll reach parts of town using a ferry/boat. 

On the other hand, there is Helsinki, a modest Finnish capital, just less than an hour away by plane from Stockholm. It struck me as a mixture of influences from Scandinavian countries (Sweden) and its Russian neighbours. There is none of the grandeur from Stockholm, but of the two, Helsinki is my favourite.

Further are some of the photos I took during that trip that I hope will help you get an impression of the two cities.

                                                     Colourful buildings in Stockholm and the most popular ones on the                                                       main square - Stortorget. 

                                            Interior of a bar at Stortorget

                                       One of the cool small shops in Stockholm centre

                                         Stockholm stretches across numerous islands

                                                  Stockholm Theatre

                                                         Cobbled streets in Stockholm centre-Gamla Stan

                                             Coffee can't go without Kannebullar (cinnamon roll)

                                             Opera House

                                        Stockholm is a city of parks and statues (Park in Skansen)

                                       
                                  Having said that, each statue has an interesting story, and many of them are                                         female. 

                                                    Statue of famous Swedish actress, Margaret Krook in her favourite                                                   spot in front of the theatre. The statue is heated in the chest part all                                                     the time, to symbolise warmth.

                                             
                                              Stockholm is also the city of Abba. Check their museum.

                                           Did I mention seafood? Absolutely delicious there.

                                               As well as Kannebullar and other sweets

                                              Impressive Railway and Bus Station in Helsinki 
                                              -as well as the language

                                               Uspenski Cathedral - inside out - Russian influence

                                      Helsinki is a seaport.

                 

                                                  Helsinki Cathedral

                                             A very cool place - Sibelius Park Monument -  in honour of him there are 600 steel pipes representing a sound wave in its formation. 

                                             Sibelius Monument

                                All pictures are copyright @meninaidris blogspot-connected.

Iceland - Did you know?

ICELAND - Did you know?

Here are some interesting facts about Iceland, a frozen country in the north.


Did you know that Iceland's cold water comes directly from underground springs?
It is pure and refreshing and perfectly suited for drinking. It meets all international standards for potable water.
Iceland's hot (geothermal) water comes from deep boreholes and has a slight natural smell of sulfur. It's excellent for bathing and washing. Be careful when bathing, the hot water can be over 80 C.

Did you know that the name of the capital of Iceland - Reykjavik-translates to "Smokey Bay"? 
The first permanent settlers in 874 AD neared the coast of Iceland after their long voyage from Norway. Upon their arrival to the bay around Reykjavik, they noticed steam coming from the ground and gave the place its name, Smokey Bay. 

                                               (Viking ship)

                                           (Statue of the first settler)

                             (Concert Hall Harpa)

                                                  (Perlan Museum)

                                          (Cathedral in the form of a geyser)

                                       All pictures are copyright@connected blogspot by meninaidris

Did you know what is so unique about Iceland geologically?
It is situated on the boundary line where the American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart. On average the country is expanding at a rate of 2 cm per year. In addition, Iceland, like Hawaii, is floating on top of an upwelling of abnormally hot rock within the Earth's mantle. That's why there is so much volcanic activity in Iceland. 
In Iceland's national park, Þingvellir, you can clearly see where the two continents opened up a massive rift valley. There you actually stand on the edge of the American plate and look into the distance across the rift to where the Eurasian plate is. 

Did you know that about 10% of Iceland is covered by glaciers? Some are high in the mountains while others flow down towards the coast. Iceland's glaciers are reservoirs of vast amounts of water that feed the country's system of rivers. 

Did you know that Þingvellir National Park is also a historical site?
It's a place where the alpingi, the longest functioning parliamentary assembly was first established in 930 AD. Parliament Plains is a very important place for Icelanders, the heart of their nation. It is where all the major events in Icelandic history took place, from the adoption of Christianity to Iceland's Declaration of Independence in 1944. 

                                               (Viking's Parliament)


Did you know that in Þingvellir National Park there is a place called the Drowning Pool?
It's a place that belongs to the dark part of Iceland's history. The Danish king was the head of a state church and was responsible for public morality. One way of making people conform was by publicly punishing those found guilty of moral transgression. Women found guilty of adultery, incest or exposing their babies to the elements (nature), were placed in a bag weighed down with rocks and drowned in the pool. Men were beheaded. 



Did you know that Sagas are Iceland's greatest contribution to world culture?
They are wonderful family sagas that read like novels. They tell thrilling stories of bold heroes capable of superhuman deeds, of beautiful women of strong character, of clans at war and endless adventures. Many of important events in these stories actually take place at the annual assembly at Þingvellir.




 Did you know that the apparently ultra-modern Icelandic nation still cultivates a belief in elves?
Or more correctly, a considerable number of Icelanders doesn't deny their existence. Elves are referred to as Hidden People. The story goes that when God informed Adam and Eve that he intended to come on a visit, Eve was in a hurry to get all her children properly washed and presentable. Realizing she wasn't going to make it, she decided to hide the children that still needed bathing. When God came he asked if all the children were present and Eve replied yes. God knew she was lying so as a way of reprimanding her for her untruth, God informed her that whatever she had hidden from him would remain hidden from mankind all the time. And thus there is the origin of the Hidden People in Iceland. Elves are believed to inhabit large rocks and cliffs.



 Did you know that the Icelandic language is the closest we get to the language spoken by the Vikings?
Even today young Icelanders at school can manage to read the 13th century sagas, which shows just how little their language has changed over the centuries. It's a difficult language to learn, but interestingly though, there are no dialects and no distinguishing accents, despite areas and communities having been isolated from each other for centuries. 


Did you know that there are people living in caves right into the 20th century?
At the foot of the mountains there are some caves where people lived right up until the early decades of the 20th century. Prior to the Second World War Iceland was very poor economically and hardship was commonplace. Therefore, some families were forced to make their home in the caves.


Food file: Delicious seafood soups served in carved bread:

 

Did you know that there are few trees in Iceland?
Today it's estimated that only 1.5% of the country is covered with forest. However, that was not always the case. When the first settlers arrived in the late 9th century, there were birch forests that covered over 30% of the country. So, what happened? The settlers needed pasture land for their livestock and so started to clear away the trees. They also burned wood for heating and to make charcoal, needed for making of iron. Within two hundred years Iceland would witness one of the most serious man-made environmental disasters in Europe. It would not be until the 20th century that the authorities would finally try to tackle the situation. 

Did you know that Strokkur is one of the erupting geysers at the Geysir high temperature area?
The water is coming from a glacier further north and it is warmed by magma extending close to the earth's surface. The water down is under intense pressure from the colder water above, so there is eventually a steam flash-explosion that sends water and steam spouting skywards. The original geyser that was here, known as Geysir and which erupted for centuries, is now dormant. In fact, the English word geyser, used today for this phenomenon, comes from the Icelandic name Geysir.

 Did you know that there are real life romantic stories in Iceland and not just sagas?
There is an old man living on a farm near Reykjavik who built his own church. The reason for that was his late wife. Before she died she had expressed her wish to be buried on their farm. Since people in Iceland can only be buried on the holy land designated for that, the old man asked for a permission to build a church and he was granted it. So driving around, you will come across a farm with a small white and blue church. 

Did you know that the Icelandic phrase "Þetta reddast!" is used so much that it actually describes the country's motto?
It contains both simple and philosophical meaning "it will all turn out fine". Life can be often difficult in this harsh country and Icelanders developed this kind of mentality when faced with trouble. No matter how big the problem, the solution will always present itself.