All started well at Heathrow with a relaxing drink in the lounge and no last minute panic. Ironically we decided against buying any duty free booze for the trip - a grave mistake. Alcohol is very expensive in Scandinavia and also, we discovered not as easily available as in the UK. Reminded me a bit of South Africa in the days when the liquor was all caged off and not for sale on a Sunday.
Airports look the same everywhere but I still find it a little exciting to see the name of the city sticking up from the airport building (I know you can't really see it here but I know it's there).
I am a bit of a rail enthusiast and find an attractive railway station worthy of recording. It would also be true to say that there is not really much else in Helsinki on the midsummer weekend to see, do or experience. Everything was closed - shops, museums, galleries, theatres, restaurants, pubs, bars, EVERYTHING. A lawyer and a smiley arm rubber together in an closed city was not a fun combination. We tried as hard as we could - even contemplated leaving Helsinki for Estonia until we discovered that was closed for the weekend too.
So we appealed to British Airways for a change of return flight and hot footed it back to Blighty and the Ickenham Festival.
The crew on the return flight took pity on us in the form of lots of complimentary champagne and our short break was successfully shortened even further.
This was the only alcoholic beverage we could buy in Helsinki over the weekend. When we enquired about vodka or full strength wine we were told that they were only available at government shops that would not reopen until we were safely back at work. To be honest that really put the lid on the trip - even slipping into a coma was not available in Helsinki.
I'm sure there are other times of year when it's a fun place but I don't think I'm going to take the chance again.
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