Posts Tagged ‘finland’

Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration


22 Jan

This year, yet again, Annika and I ate somewhere else other than the Chinese food stands at Lasipalatsi. We may never know how the food tastes because we won’t ever have the patience nor the strength to elbow against other people wanting to sample Chinese food at the venue.

With the usual entertainment happening on stage and the huge screen beaming live telecast from China and the throng of people from all walks of life, the place has always a festive mood.

Because we were interested only in the fireworks, which was going to start in about an hour, we started heading towards Töölö Bay in order to get a good view when the sky lights up. This year, we chose to view it at the far end of the Töölö Bay. I just wanted to see what kind of effect this distance will have on Annika. The previous years we were always very close to where the fireworks were, and it always overwhelmed her with emotions everytime.

Then we heard a salvo of fireworks at Lasipalatsi. The countdown has just commenced. It means that the dragon will soon dance its way towards Finlandia Hall with the throng of people accompanying it and ultimately watch the main fireworks.

As I started setting up my camera equipment, we could see that people have begun arriving at the far side of the bay. No sooner, the fireworks began.

It didn’t have the same emotional impact on Annika as in the previous years. Maybe it’s because we were quite far away that we were also emotionally removed. It felt like we were watching it from tv or a giant screen. It just didn’t feel the same. Now we know where to go next year. But on the other hand, my pictures of the fireworks were much better.

Chinese Lunar New Year 2012 Fireworks

St. Thomas Christmas Market


10 Dec

Annika and I took advantage of the really nice weather. It has been raining constantly the past week; in December; in Finland! Anyhow, the sky cleared up early that morning so we planned on checking out the St. Thomas Christmas Market in the afternoon– for the second time.

We checked it out before, on the first opening day, but for some strange reason, we didn’t “feel” it. Maybe it was because there weren’t too many people yet; or maybe because we got used to experiencing the Christmas Market in snow; or maybe we were used to it being at Esplanade Park the previous years. This was the first time they changed venue to Senate Square. Personally, I like this venue because hovering above you is the Helsinki Cathedral and the huge Christmas tree. It kinda gives a proper religious context.

This time though, the market regained its charm that we felt was missing the first time around. Senate Square was filled with a bit more people and the air was quite nippy, perfect for that Christmas atmosphere. I’m very sure this won’t be the last time we come here, especially if it snows in the coming days.

This year’s St. Thomas Christmas Market will run from Dec 7-22, 2011.

Equipments I used for the 360 VR are Lumix GF1, Panofix panorama bracket, Samyang 7.5mm fisheye lens, Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod, and Manfrotto 300N QTVR panoramic head.

Christmas Street Opening


20 Nov

Helsinki officially starts the Christmas season by celebrating the opening of the Christmas Street about a month before Christmas. Aleksander Street (Aleksanterinkatu) is decorated with Christmas lights and wreaths which leads to the Senate Square (Senaatintori) where the big Christmas tree stands.

This yearly event is typified by entertainment at the Senate Square featuring male choirs, Muumi, etc. It is also where the participants of the parade assemble.

This year’s opening is way much different from the previous I’ve experienced before. It felt very strange that the temperature was mild; there was the afternoon sunlight too! I guess that was the reason why the parade started really late. I reckon they wanted to wait for the skies to turn darker in order to have that cozy atmosphere. But don’t quote me on that.

I think that in this year’s parade, there were more participants than last year’s. But of course spectators always fill up the street year after year, regardless; it is a tradition after all. The parade always culminate with Santa Claus at the back seat of an old open-top car, surrounded by gifts, waving to everyone. No sight of reindeers ever. Everybody reckons that they are taking a much needed rest in Lappland.

Equipments I used for the video are Lumix GH2, Lumix 20mm f1.7 pancake lens, and Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 monopod.

Carnival of Lights at Linnanmaki


18 Oct

Went to the Carnival of Lights at Linnanmaki last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

So even though entrance was free; plus you can ice skate for free, and ride the Panoraama for free; it wasn’t that full on Friday. Still it was good for our purposes because we wanted to take photos of the rides and the surroundings that day. Less people mean more space for shooting photos. We went there early in the evening to be able to catch some light in the skies before it faded into darkness.

Psychedelic Rehkä

Tuliretki

Rinkeli

Kummitusjuna "Ghost train"

On Sunday, the last night of the event, the place was jam-packed. We haven’t seen Linnanmaki that full before, ever. That’s why we were so glad that we chose Saturday to buy an all-pass ticket for the rides because it allowed us to basically go on lots of rides with hardly any queues at all. More rides in less time.

Neon lights

Ferris Wheel

Panorama

Every night, there was supposed to be a fire show (another freebie) at 9 o’clock but we somehow missed it completely on the Friday and Saturday that we were there, but not today; I made sure of that– I went to the venue half an hour early and got me a place at the very front.

Annika wasn’t as lucky. She came a bit late so there was no way she could penetrate the crowd into where I was without making enemies. So she was contented to wait for me at the back until it was over.

No sooner, she reminded me that the fireworks display was at 10 o’clock. So with 20 minutes left before it was to begin, we waded among the throngs of people to the amusement park’s main square. By then, everybody was heading to the same place too.

I steered Annika and myself towards Jarrumies Cafe & Restaurant because its outdoor terrace had a good vantage point, being located on the second floor, and is conveniently facing towards the direction of the main square to boot. I was so relieved to see that there were still empty places on the outdoor terrace. As we quickly settled down and prepared our equipments, the place suddenly began to fill up. Within minutes, there wasn’t an empty place anymore; not on the outdoor terrace, nor on the main square. We got there just in the nick of time.

Fireworks at the Carnival of Light

When it was over, both Annika and I agreed that it was one of the better fireworks display we’ve seen in Helsinki ever.

Photo equipments used are Panasonic Lumix GH2 and Nikon D40. For the timelapse, I used Panasonic Lumix GF1.

Helsinki Market Square


20 Jun

When Lordi won the Eurovision song contest, they scribbled the phrase “torilla tavataan” on a cardboard as a message to the folks in Finland. When Sweden lost to Finland in the hockey world championship, the Finns set their social networks status ablaze with the phrase “torilla tavataan“.

Torilla tavataan“, translated literally to “let’s meet at the market” is the rallying cry when Earth-shaking events (only the good kind) involving Finland happen. It’s the place where people congregate and celebrate spontaneously.

In Helsinki, this place happens to be the Market Square (Kauppatori). Located at the city center; at the end of Esplanade Park (Esplanadin puisto); fronted by the City Hall (Kaupungin talo), the Presidential Palace, and the Baltic Sea; it’s very easy to see why people naturally gravitate here.

P1050484

On most ordinary days, the Market Square is host to vendors of fresh produce, handicrafts, and souvenirs. There are hosts of outdoor cafes as well. One in particular that Annika and I (and a lot of times the only reason for going to the Market Square during summertime and autumn) is at this crepe cafe. Their Chicken Caesar crepe is what keeps us coming back. It’s to die for. It’s no wonder that this outdoor cafe is always jam-packed, and deservedly so.

But all year round though, there are always things happening at the Market Place. The annual Herring Fair is held there; so is the sailing ships exhibition; and the weekend old cars display. Even the most mundane of days has this certain charm about it. I guess it’s the atmosphere of the place; from the fresh sea breeze of the Baltic to the vibe you get from the people, which is certainly composed of tourists more than half of the time– local and foreign tourists alike.

Docking area in Kauppatori