Lovely Town of Porvoo, Finland :)

Recommended by my Finnish friend who grew up in this quaint medieval town..

Porvoo is just an hour away by public bus from Helsinki, Finland..

We spent half a day in this very lovely town, and I am glad we listened to Maria :)

It was 6 am when our flight arrived in Helsinki, and our hotel rooms were not ready yet..

So we dressed up at the lobby, left our luggages with the concierge.. and off to Porvoo!

It was the first time for some of us to touch snow.. and that was serious happiness! :)

We didn't really research on where to go.. so we just walked and walked and walked..

The old buildings were so cute and colourful.. and that wedding truck was driving in..

To the compound of the 14th century Porvoo Cathedral.. where a traditional wedding was going on..

Though I am not sure if this is really considered their traditional wedding car ;)

I assume these are houses.. or maybe barns?! 

Well, anyway.. they are red and yellow, and pretty! That's all that matters! Haha :)

And there was something about this street.. I think it was the most photographed? in the town?

Oh gosh.. forgive my memory.. but there was a painting of this street right on the wall with some information on it..



Exactly a year ago.. Winter in February..

Isn't this such a beauty?!

The Holm House and its yard.. where they host seasonal exhibitions of how a wealthy Porvoo merchant family lived in the 18th century..

Old cobblestone streets..

Lovely, lovely shopping areas..

Eye candy shop windows.. :)

And Brunberg Chocolates! Where you can eat all the chocolates samples that you can!

Ahhh yes, I tried all the flavours, and ate more of my favorites.. to the point of almost getting a sore throat :P

A must in Porvoo.. and the cause of my heavy luggage!

 Just another cute little cafe.. with a name.. maybe they should change ;)

Or maybe they really knew what it meant!

More pretty old town shopping districts..

And a Mentos candy!

Just kidding.. that's the old Town Hall :)

Somebody's backyard I wanted to steal ;)

Men.. Ice.. Fishing..

At the frozen Porvoo River..

And the symbol of the medieval town.. Buildings used to store imported exotic delicacies and merchandise..

The very lovely red shore houses by the Porvoo River..

So please.. go and get lost in Porvoo.. and you'll be as happy as these! ;)

Related Stories: Northern Lights Over Lake Inari, Husky Dog Sledding, Reindeer Sleigh Ride, First Glimpse of the Arctic Circle, and Medieval Old Town of Tallinn. Enjoy! :)

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References:

Full Trip Itinerary and Budget - Finland and Estonia - Northern Lights Itinerary

Cruising in Malta

"Where's Malta? Why Malta?"

These questions.. ;)

"I stare at the world map, look for an unfamiliar name, and check Google images."

That's what I love to do. And this is Malta!

One of the smallest countries in the wold.. 

Off the southern coast of Italy.. A European archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea..

Where charming towns like St. Julian's are sprinkled with colourful fishing boats ..

And public Maltese buses make you want to ride.. just for a ride ;)

On the rooftop of a hop-on hop-off tour bus.. is the laziest way to see..

This fascinating backdrop of a country..

With a walled medieval old town on a hill.. the "silent city" of Mdina..

And the 9th largest church dome in the world.. the Rotunda of Mosta..

On the deck of a Catamaran.. is the daydreamiest place to be..

On a gorgeous autumn afternoon in October..

Where the caves of Comino wait..

For a courtesy call from these.. who paid some extra Euros for a little boat ride..

To peek into rock formations and caverns.. where healthier boats cannot go through ;)

Heavens do come down in turquoise coloured days..

Of cold and splashing.. the Blue Lagoon on my face..

Where yachts float with the waves..

Wait for these beaming soaked folks..

Cruise through this marvel of an ancient beauty..

And dock when it's time to shift..

At St. Julian's Bay to hang those bikinis..

Dress up for wine and cheers..

Surprises still linger..

At Westin Dragonara Resort.. Balcony, and what is this?! :)

The Rolex Middle Sea Race comes to chase..

From this paradise.. to bid goodbye and embrace..

I really love this place.. Malta :)

Related Stories: Mailboat Cruise in Picton, New Zealand

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References:

3 Days - Hotel - Westin Dragonara Resort

As of Feb 2015, per pax and booked through the hotel concierge: 

Catamaran Cruise - Eur 65

Hop-On Hop-Off Tour - Eur 17