Finland, being one of the members of the Schengen states was easier for us (Dad, Mom, cutie sis, baby C and me) to travel from Czech Republic without needing a visa. Since it’s where my big sis is based with her family, going there from Prague was an idea we were toying about and we’re glad to have finally visited this part of Northern Europe.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

While waiting for my big sis and niece to meet us at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, we toured a bit of the Arrivals Hall, changed some Czech Crowns to Euros, browsed over the maps and brochures we got at the information rack and took some photos. While looking at the people around, I can’t help but smile and tell myself it’s another different world.

Big sis lives in Pori which is about 242 kilometers from Helsinki, so we had to take the evening bus going there. We left the airport at about 7:40 PM and arrived in Pori at almost midnight! The most interesting part was that the sun was just about to set that time, thus throughout the bus trip, we had a great view of the scenery of trees and lakes with the sun still shining bright even when it was already late in the evening.

Finland highway to Pori

Finland highway scenery

Stepping out of the bus, I felt the cold wind as we waited for big sis’ hubby to fetch us at the bus stop. Yup, this girl from the tropics will have to get used to the cold outdoors (even if it’s summer here) plus the interesting schedule of midnight sunsets and early sunrises which for me is just simply amazing!