Day 26 - A Finnish sauna and new geocaching friends

I had a slow start to the morning, but eventually ambled down to the market square (Kauppatori) - a wonderful collection of stalls selling all sorts of things.

Near here was the Allas pool, a public swimming complex with three outdoor pools - one sea water, one ‘normal’, and one for children. There are also plenty of saunas and a lovely terrace area for chilling out.

I started off having a very nice swim in the main pool (just out of shot in the photo above) and then decided that I would get the full sauna experience (luckily, not the FULL sauna experience, as it was quite a tourist-y place so people were not going for full nudity). I enjoyed a good period of time in the sauna, and then went straight into the sea water pool next door. It. Was. Cold. šŸ„¶! Very, very cold in fact! I did put my head under the water for the full experience, but soon got out and returned to the main pool, which then felt like a bath!

Some time drying out in the sun, reading my book, was obviously then called for, and a little snack. I am a BIG fan of the Scandinavian view on pastries.

Next door to the Allas pool was the Helsinki Skywheel. Given that I have already been on similar wheels in Gothenburg and Den Haag, I felt I need to add this one to the collection!

It was a lovely ride. The pods had a weird blue tint to them which made everything, including my photos, a little Smurf-like….. but the views were still excellent.

I then had a wander back through the market (buying a new t-shirt!) and along the Esplanade.

I enjoyed seeings lots of statues, particularly this one which seems to be a resident seagull. Spot the difference!

After a quick stop back at my accommodation, I then set off for a geocaching event taking place in the city. Geocachers often set them up if they are travelling places, and this one had been set up by a guy visiting from Hamburg. I had a good chat with him, as well as a local Finnish cacher and a group visiting from Slovakia. It was a lovely opportunity to meet fellow cachers - I think there were about 20 or 30 of us there.

I am now typing this whilst enjoying a Diet Coke outside a local pub. The weather has been gorgeous here today - blue skies, but without the current heat of the UK. Hopefully more of the same tomorrow!

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