We didn’t have any plans for midsummer, so we decided to take the ferry to Tallinn and stay there for a night. Usually in Tallinn I end up in the same places, but this time we discovered some new places too. I’m liking the city more and more.
In less than two weeks I’ll be heading to Croatia. The plan is to fly to Dubrovnik and drive at least to Mostar and Plitvice lakes, two places I’ve dreamt of for years now… Can’t wait!
I had a day off on Monday, so K and I decided to head to Tallinn for a girls trip. It’s so easy to go to Tallinn, especially now that I’m living almost in Helsinki. And Tallinn is so familiar and simple destination, it sometimes feels almost… well, boring. But not this time! We had seven hours to spend in the city, and it wasn’t enough at all. Tallinn showed us new sides and places, that  will require closer looks on another visits, I’m sure. 😉
We hang mostly around Kalamaja, Telliskivi and Old Town. In Old Town, we found out that you can climb up the stairs to one of the church towers. The climb was hard (and a bit scary, with the tiny and old swirling stone-steps), but the view was worth it.
Looking back, this year seems to have been mostly awesome. So many great experiences, some amazing trips, and a few dreams that came true… Feeling quite blessed! What I tried this year, was to follow my heart and dreams. And as I have noticed myself and with few of my friends that have been doing that too, it really pays of.
The year started with K in Nicaragua with a freelance-work trip. Then I continued for a week in Minnesota, and I’m glad I did.
For example, to tell you the truth, when we booked to the flight tickets for the mini US-road trip with K last spring — that’s something I’ve been wanting to do for years all ready — I wasn’t sure I’ll have money to go through with the plan. Then, like a miracle, I got a job for fall and the problem was solved.
In February I got to spend couple of days in my all-time favorite: Stockholm.
Next year seems busier than ever work-wise, so I’m happy I have had the chance to see so many great places this year. That’s always the dilemma with traveling: no work, no money, and if you have money, no time because of work. So I’ll doubt I’ll be a lot more on Finnish soil the following year, even though I wouldn’t mind a few get-a-ways… We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. 😉
In May we headed to Poland, Gdansk for an extended weekend with my parents.
Summer passed by living and working in Helsinki but we managed to match our days off with J, and escape to the other side of the bay, Tallinn. Next summer I’ll spend the vacation from my permanent job for working in Helsinki again.
September, living the American dream, or more like my dream, with K!!!! I counted we spent a month together on American grounds with K this year, if you count Nicaragua and the time in the US. Hope there’s new adventures ahead of us too, even though it will be hard to compete with the places we saw this year!
Since September I’ve been firmly in Finland, but it’s okay, because from the beginning of February I’ve had this pile of hair to brighten up my days. Life never get’s boring with a chihuahua.
Somehow we managed to get a small holiday off from work at the same time with J. So we decided to make a Tallinn-trip which we had been thinking for a while now. I found a four-star hotel with a pool and breakfast in reasonable price and everything was set to go. This was my first “long weekend” this summer (three days off from work!) so I really needed some relaxing-time already. I haven’t really liked Tallinn before, it’s been somehow… well, boring. But now that the main focus was on slowing down, I felt I didn’t have  time to do half of the things I wanted in three days! Could go back in a second.
View from our hotel, Nordic Forum.
Old Patarei prison, creepy that it has been in use until 2002…
Walking around in Kalamaja-area.
“Beach life” behind Patarei.
Snack time!
Sunset from our hotel room window.
Now off to work with new energy!
photojourneylism 