First trip to Finland in March 1995
For my first of many trips to Finland, in March 1995, Joe Begue and I flew to Helsinki. We stayed in Helsinki and did not go anywhere else.
It was March and we thought it was cold (there was snow on the ground and the bay was frozen over) but the sun was out and all around people were putting tables out in front of restaurants and sitting in the sun. People were walking across the frozen water; we were not that brave.
We worked with a good rep, Matti Pihanttro of Novacom Oy, one of the funniest guys I have ever met-not really!
Click on any photo to see a larger view
We shopped and walked all over downtown Helsinki – best souvenirs are at Stockton’s Department Store. We stayed at the Arctic Hotel on the water by where the cruise ships dock. We also took a multi-lingual bus tour of Helsinki.
Helsinki Finland in July 1996 with Joe Begue
It was much more pleasant in Helsinki in July of 1996. We walked all over town and went shopping at Stockman’s again for good Finnish souvenirs.
We stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental across from the Olympic Stadium. There were people from all over the world there and everyone talked in English
My passports show that I went to Finland eight times from 1995 to 2002, almost every trip was with Joe Begue. That was before digital cameras and iPhones and before I had a web site to note where I went, but it was either Helsinki or Jyvaskyla for each trip. I do have photos in a shoe box somewhere, many without a date and will post some as I find them.
One of my favorite strange photos!
Hey – I did not put up the sign but I could not resist getting a picture by this. The entire street was lined with these signs for about a mile. I think this is advertising potato chips.
Helsinki Finland in January 1997 with Joe Begue
Back again in winter, staying at the Hotel Intercontinental. This is across from the site of the Winter Olympics in 19xx
In spite of the cold, we still managed to walk around town. Went north to Jyvaskyla for most of the trip.
I have not found the pictures yet, but in about 2004, I want to Jyvaskyla with Joe Begue and Gary Santerre and the temperature got down to -40 degrees C (same as – 40 degrees F).
I will post more Finland pictures as I find them, they are lost in a closet waiting to be seen again!