Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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 :)

Holm House, Porvoo, Finland

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

Porvoo, Finland

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

Porvoo, Finland

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

Porvoo Cathedral, Finland

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

Porvoo Cathedral, Finland

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

Porvoo Cathedral, Finland

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

Wedding Car in Porvoo, Finland

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

Red Houses in Porvoo, Finland

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

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

Red Houses and a Street in Porvoo, Finland

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..

Winter in Porvoo Cathedral, Finland

Exactly a year ago.. Winter in February..

Holm House in Porvoo, Finland

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 Town Shopping in Porvoo, Finland

Old cobblestone streets..

Old Town Shopping in Porvoo, Finland

Lovely, lovely shopping areas..

Old Town Shopping in Porvoo, Finland

Eye candy shop windows.. :)

Brunberg Chocolates in Porvoo, Finland

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!

Cafe Fanny in Porvoo, Finland

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

Or maybe they really knew what it meant!

Old Town Shopping in Porvoo, Finland

More pretty old town shopping districts..

Old Town of Porvoo, Finland

Old Town Hall of Porvoo, Finland

And a Mentos candy!

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

Winter Backyard in Porvoo, Finland

Somebody's backyard I wanted to steal ;)

Winter Fishing at the Porvoo River, Finland

Men.. Ice.. Fishing..

Winter Fishing at the Porvoo River, Finland

At the frozen Porvoo River..

Red Shore Houses on the Porvoo River, Finland

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

Red Shore Houses on the Porvoo River, Finland

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

Winter in Porvoo, Finland

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



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References:

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

Sunday, February 8, 2015

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!

Colourful Fishing Boats, St. Julian's Bay, Malta

One of the smallest countries in the wold.. 

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

Colourful Fishing Boats, St. Julian's Bay, Malta

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

Malta Bus

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

Sightseeing in Malta

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

Cruising in Malta

This fascinating backdrop of a country..

Silent City of Mdina, Malta

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

Rotunda of Mosta, Malta

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

St. Julian's Bay, Malta

Cruising in Malta

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

Comino Caves, Malta

On a gorgeous autumn afternoon in October..

Comino Caves, Malta

Where the caves of Comino wait..

Comino Caves Cruise, Malta

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

Comino Caves Cruise, Malta

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

Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta

Heavens do come down in turquoise coloured days..

Swimming in the Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta

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

Sailing at the Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta

Where yachts float with the waves..

Catamaran Cruise, Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta

Catamaran Cruise, Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta

Wait for these beaming soaked folks..

Cruising in Malta

Cruise through this marvel of an ancient beauty..

Catamaran Cruise in Malta

And dock when it's time to shift..

St. Julian's Bay, Malta

St. Julian's Bay, Malta

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

St. Julian's Dinner, Malta

Dress up for wine and cheers..

St. Julian's Dinner, Malta

Surprises still linger..

Rolex Middle Sea Race, Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julian's, Malta

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

The Rolex Middle Sea Race comes to chase..

Rolex Middle Sea Race, Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julian's, Malta

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

I really love this place.. Malta :)



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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