First snow in Vantaa...

Snow is here in south of Finland: in Vantaa and Helsinki. The snowfall you see here is a result of 2 hours of snowing. It wasn't that cold though as it was all wet snow.
Not everybody here in the south were prepared for this change in weather. Most cars have not changed to winter tyres and traffic was bad.

Streetart II

It looks like 'gears' to me. This was found under the Martinlaakso train station.

Back to Vantaa

Just got back to Vantaa today. This was taken on my trip back home, no snow here yet. Clear skies and no rain. :-)

Mikkeli 2 of 2

Here's another photo from Mikkeli, Eastern Finland.

Mikkeli 1 of 2

I was away this weekend in Mikkeli so haven't been able to post till today(Sunday). Here are a couple of pictures from there. It was snowing yesterday and I found this ad rather odd against the snow. Would you go get a sailboat in freezing -1 deg cel? ;-)

Another rainy day

Rained quite heavily today.This was at Louhela train station. Water was pouring out from the shelter of the station. Took this shot from the train.

Playground

The playground is usually used by the nearby childcare centre. No kids in site 'cos it was the weekend. I took this scene as I hope to show how the playground looks like in winter.

Hoods 20?

This is found in the midst of the autumn scene. Very well painted but I have no idea what it means. You can see the fence surrounding a playground behind this. Tat's coming tomorrow...

Rainy Day Scene

I was supposed to post something else today but thought this would make a better choice. It was raining for almost the whole day. At 6 in the evening when I was returning home, a totally different scene then the previous post awaited me. I had a hard time trying to get a good picture with my file in one hand and an umbrella in the other. I have no idea what vehicle had whizzed by but thought this was most unusual of all the shots I took.

Autumn Scene

I rarely get to walk this way home early afternoons and it is quite dark at 6pm already. This was taken at about one and I love the colours in this scene. There's a piece of art in the midst of the trees. More on tat tomorrow...

Fly Mushroom (Punakärpässieni)

After taking the photos of the mushroom, I went to wait for my train. Then the guy who had walked past me earlier comes up to me and tells me the name of the mushroom and that it was poisonous. I guess he was concerned that I might have touched the mushroom which luckily I did not do so.

I told the man that I hadn't touched it and didn't know it was poisonous. It was an attractive colour and thats why I took the picture. The man further added that I might be able to find bigger non-poisonous mushrooms in a nearby park, Haven't had time to go there yet.

Punakärpässieni in english means red fly mushroom. The scientific name is Amanita muscaria. One fact states that it is used as an recreational drug in Finland. This mushroom also figures in Hindu scriptures and Christainty. Read more in the above link.

Thanx to mountain boy for his comment in the previous post. Read more on what he has to say

More photos here.

Needle in a haystack?

On my way to the train station this morning, something caught my eye in this field. Can you see what it is? I got an interesting comment from a passerby for taking this shot. Close up and comment tomorrow...

Daily Paper

This is a common sight here in buses and trains. The free morning paper left on the seats. In Finland there are two daily free papers out early in the morning Metro and 100. Do you have such papers in your cities?

Inside the bus

This was taken last month. I think it was in the middle of the day, thus an empty bus. Maybe someone was way in front... Do u see anyone?
full-length of bus

Thai Palace

Thai restaurant in Tikkurila.

Sokos Hotel

Sokos Hotel, Vantaa is a versatile centre for for restaurants and conferences at Tikkurila railway station, next to the Heureka Science Hall. Music and dancing availabe at the Point located here. Will try to bring more about the nightlife there soon...

The Sun

Relax Time

Ah.. it's the weekend. Time to relax but I have an exam to study for next week and projects to complete. Here's me stretching out my feet in the car. I don't normally do that, just made an exception for this night shot. ;-)

Nightfall

Taken at 8pm at Martinlaakso bus station. Do you notice the bright space ship lights? Here's another look at the station. Have a good weekend everyone!

Hullut Päivät (Crazy Days)

Crazy Days are here again in Stockmann. That is when the departmental store Stockmann has 4 days of sales. It is held twice a year in April and October. You cannot miss these days as you will see these yellow bags everywhere.

The sales started yesterday and I went to Jumbo's Stockmann yesterday and to Helsinki's Stockmann today. They sell the same things in both places. I just happened to go to two different ones. The 4 day sales is such that they have different items on sale everyday and most of the special offer items are grabbed fast. Might go tomorrow as well.. ;-) More photos here

Hullut Päivät Catalogue Choose Selaa luetteloa to view.

p.s. Galna Dagar in Swedish

Anniversary of Myyrmanni bombing

The Myyrmanni bombing took place on October 11, 2002 in Myyrmäki in the Myyrmanni shopping mall. The bomb killed seven, including a 7-year-old child and the bomber, Petri Gerdt, a 19-year-old chemical engineering student from EVTEK (Espoo-Vantaa Institute of Technology). It was claimed on local news that Gerdt blew himself up because of girlfriend problems.The incident was particularly shocking for Finland and the other Nordic countries where bombings are extremely uncommon. Read more

Myyrmanni was built in the early 1990's and it has over 120 stores and 1,100 parking spaces. My Finnish teacher had told me then in 2002 that she had just left the place five minutes before the bombing took place. First reactions to the bombing was that of a terriost act and many were relieved to hear that it was otherwise.

Juha Haataja's eyewitness account

Flower Shop

Tikkurilan Kukka. Tikkurila's Flower.

Moon & Light

No special effects used in this photo. I was trying to capture a shot of the moonlight last nite as it was bright and almost full. Then I happened to capture the reflection of the indoor light and it made quite an interesting shot. Here's the MOON and LIGHT.

Doh!

It's a lazy sunday afternoon. Just staying put at home and decided Homer will do fine for today's post. He was won at a carnival game last summer.

I was trying to find an appropriate place for him. He just can't stand on his own and no place to hang him. Then Homer got his hand stuck behind the bookshelf so I just let him be there. ;-)

Kehä III

Early morning on Kehä III. Kehä III is a 50km circular highway. It is the most important traffic link between Helsinki and Vantaa. Kehä III also reaches to another muncipility Espoo. Construction on Kehä II started in 1962 and was completed in 1972. Jumbo, Ikea, Airport and Hotel Cumulus can be reached by Kehä III

Birds in flight

This wasn't so easy to get and i'm surprised a got a shot. It's not the best but i'm happy jus to have them in frame.

Oh.. where is my doggie?

Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?
Oh where, oh where can he be?
With his ears so short and his tail so long,
Oh where, oh where is he?

This 'dog house' was what i was talking about yesterday. There are actually two of them along the walking path. I have no idea what they are used for and why they are there. Strange..

When i think of doggie, i am reminded of this other song:
How much is that doggie in the window?

my path home...

I walk this path twice a day on my way to and from school. This was taken at 6 p.m. on my way home. There is something strange ahead on the path. More on it tomorrow.

Finnbody

Finnbody is a fitness centre along Kielotie in Tikkurlia. Just a 5min walk from Bio Grand. This is where i try to go at least twice a week for aerobic classes. They have only this branch in Vantaa and 5 branches in Helsinki. A couple of others in some other cities.

Finnbody Official Website

Bio Grand

Bio Grand theatre on Kielotie in Tikkurila. I haven't been there yet as i usually go to the ones in Helsinki.

DP Theme Day: Taxis

It's theme day again. October's Theme is Taxis and 42 (45 now, 3 more jus in) other blogs are taking part too. Links provided below.

This is the taxi queue outside the Helsinki-Vantaa airport arrival hall. In Finland taxis are not any particular design or colour. They look like privately owned cars and you can identify one by the taxi sign on its roof. The red one seen here carries an ad. Close up of a taxi

Starting fares on weekdays 06.00-20.00 and on saturday and eve of bank hols. 06.00-16.00 is 4.50€(5.71USD). Other times is 7.00€(8.88USD). The kilometre price depends on the number of passengers. Kilometre Rates(according to number of passengers) For 1-2 persons a 5km ride costs about 10€(12.69USD) and 10km ride costs 16€(20.30USD). I'm sure it is much cheaper elsewhere, at least in Singapore it is. What are the fares like in your cities?

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