Impressions of HELSINKI, Finland - History, Shops and Prices!

[@MoustacheTales-vy2xc]

This is the Longest and Best video on Helsinki ,I could find. The fur cap looks good

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for your kind words! I did a lot of research for this trip so I'm delighted to hear it is appreciated. Let's hope the algorithm shares this video more widely so that others can see what an interesting city Helsinki is. As for the fur cap, it kept me warm which was the most important thing!

[@robpenas4905]

Ive seen several walking tours of Helsinki and yours is the best. Winter helps (I love winter,) but yours is upbeat, informative and interesting . Several of the streets are familiar (from other tours and videos) but your tour is a real "Exploration" - not an disorienting aimless walk like others do. That's what viewers abroad like me sitting at home want to experience - they want to feel like they're also exploring "on the ground" there with you as their guide. Thanks!

[@willieexplore]

That is a wonderful compliment to receive, thank you so much! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video. Exploring is fun and even more so if I can bring the city to life for others!

[@jasonlampa]

I'm kind of sick right now, laying in bed in Helsinki just watching random videos and stumbled across this. Wasn't sure if I could sit through 55 minutes of a vlog but time has passed so quickly. Love how you pronounce the words and also the dry humour here and there, it was just like going outside myself and hanging out with a friend. Had a great time watching this, so thank you!

[@willieexplore]

Hi Jason, what a nice message to receive! I appreciate your support very much. Glad you found enjoyment in the form of my vlog, and wishing you a speedy recovery!

[@mikrokupu]

Impressed by your knowledge of Finland! Cool to see your home town through visitor's eyes. 1:17 If the icy sea water sounds too much, you can choose the heated outdoor pool too :) 24:58 That passage becomes one big outdoor bar area in summer, has a nickname "granny tunnel", being popular among the 50+ old ladies especially :) 27:50 That's a statue of Johan Runeberg who wrote the lyrics to the Finnish national anthem, originally in Swedish "Vårt Land", Our Land. The other statues you saw are dedicated to other Finnish authors. 49:30 Yes a (Swedish language) newspaper More Helsinki trivia: You probably noticed the streets have names in both Finnish and Swedish, the Finnish name above the Swedish one. Swedish still is the second official language in Finland. The wife carrying championship takes place in one small town, not a national sport really, but well marketed obviously :)

[@willieexplore]

Kiitos! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the video! And thank you for providing that additional information about the passage, the statues and the newspaper building. I never even realised that the street names are in both languages but I guess it makes a lot of sense now! Haha re the wife carrying, I came to know about it when I read up about Tallinn and Estonia, and I know there is quite the rivalry between them and the Finns :) Thanks again for your support

[@toinenosoite3173]

@@willieexplore It was, by the way, interesting how you automatically used the Swedish names of the streets, e.g. Kanalgatan and Alexandersgatan. Great video!

[@willieexplore]

@@toinenosoite3173 cheers! Haha re the Swedish names, I guess they are a bit closer to my native language of Afrikaans :)

[@oskar6747]

8:00 I start my day with 12-16 cups of filter coffee and then go out and buy some takeaway coffee and when I get back I make another 6-12 cups. I use about one liter of milk daily and I only drink it in coffee. And I'm a Finn obviously. 9:12 Behind you is the oldest house in Helsinki. The blue/grey one. 33:30 I like to go early in bed and wake up before everyone else and have my own time in the morning instead of the evening when I'm tired. And the sun rises at around 4:00 - 5:00 and I can't sleep after that. 43:00 Most Finns even don't know this. You can open that Tupla by just bending it. There is even a line in the middle of the wrapper. But it makes a huge bang. 52:20 You can get cheaper prices if you know where to look. I pay 1,50 for a large coffee and a cold can of coke is 1 euro. A 24-pack would be around 13e. Two metro stations away from the one where you were. 52:50 True. I can sit with a friend in complete silence for hours without it being uncomfortable. But if I had to talk the whole time it would be uncomfortable. And please don't sit next to me in public transportation if there are empty seats. I might just have to jump off and take the next one. But if I have my dog with me you are welcome to come and talk about it.

[@willieexplore]

I don't know how you do it! Cheers for watching, I am grateful!

[@mansas1838]

Excellent job you’ve done on capturing Helsinki!!

[@willieexplore]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your feedback and thanks for watching my videos :)

[@yorkaturr]

Eino Leino is for Finland what Shakespeare is for England or Pushkin for Russia. Simply the most amazing Finnish poet we have ever had.

[@willieexplore]

Cheers! And thanks for watching my video!

[@hoo_jii]

Hyvin sanottu!

[@escappella]

Hi Willie, we (Escappella) are the people singing in the mall! Thanks for featuring us in your video :)

[@willieexplore]

Oh wow, thank you so much for letting me know! You sang so beautiful and that was a real highlight of my day :) Hope you had a great season!

[@janariviik2634]

Rovaniemi has claimed Santa Claus for tourism purposes, but every Finn knows he is actually from Korvatunturi in the municipality of Savukoski. Right at the Russian border.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for clarifying! Appreciate you checking out my videos and engaging :)

[@kirtidixit8990]

You're damn genuine... Wishing you achieve great success..

[@willieexplore]

What a great compliment to receive - thank you so much. Glad you enjoy my videos!

[@tellu5836]

Hello Willie Explorer, thank you for a nice video of Helsinki. It was very interesting. As a finn you showed Helsinki so well. Take care 😊

[@willieexplore]

Kiitos, Tellu! I appreciate your kind words and support. Thanks for watching and engaging!

[@yohanbeck8172]

29:30 The animals portrayed next to street names are from history when peasants couldn't read, so to meet up the locals used to say: by the corner of the hamster or giraffe :) & 29:50 Kullervo and Pohjola stone faces are characters from Kalevala.

[@willieexplore]

That is so interesting, thanks for providing this additional information and insight! Appreciate you checking out my content

[@Mari-ok6xg]

Wow even I didn't know this animal sign fact as a finn 😃❤️.

[@willieexplore]

@@Mari-ok6xg so interesting, isn't it! Thanks for watching and commenting, I appreciate the support and engagement :)

[@clopec]

Interesting theory, but the signs were installed in the 1990s, and there weren't any before. The names refer to the block. All of the blocks in the central parts are named, mostly after animals. The names were probably used in daily talk in the 1800s, but only the streets had signs (and in 3 languages during Russian times).

[@sunnydaya4298]

Just flipping thru some videos on KZbin, I found yours. I must you have very amazing videos. Keep up the good work and thanks for posting. 👍😊

[@willieexplore]

Hi Sunny! Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm really pleased that you found my channel and I hope you enjoy watching my videos :)

[@Jukste]

Randomly stumbled to your video, but I was there watching the choir also! Wasn't in the video though :) Glad to see you in Finland

[@willieexplore]

Ahh nice to hear that you managed to see the choir, Jukste! Glad you stumbled across my channel; I had a wonderful time in Helsinki :)

[@mayousimon1]

Another great brilliant video Willie thanks for showing this opportunity to informative this reminds me of old English tv travel show called "wish you were here " presents by Judith Chambers this yours out do as it more information about the place especially considering making these countries more attractive entertained with areas not shown or even explained expanding from location on where we viewers would like to visited thanks again for your wonderful time making these videos useful and hopefully you will make more of your time to making and going to more places for us to view!

[@willieexplore]

Hi Simon! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement my friend. Always a pleasure hearing from you. I haven't heard of that travel programme so will look it up!

[@sheilam4525]

Helsinki is very beautiful, thank you for a comprehensive look around, Willie. Always great to see the shops and the prices. Certainly seemed to be a more relaxed pace of life there. It's a no from me on the chocolate liquorice though. I can just about cope with liquorice allsorts. Juice bar looked great👍

[@willieexplore]

Hi Sheila! Glad you enjoyed this one. I'm sure there are loads more to see in this city but I think I did well for a morning and afternoon (certainly considering it's winter; the shops were warmer than the streets!). I'm sure I can find someone else who would gladly consume your chocolate liquorice haha :) The juice was expensive but worth it!

[@sheilam4525]

@@willieexplore you have done really well this series considering how cold it must have been everywhere. 😂 if I inadvertantly find myself with some chocolate liquorice I'll send it your way ha

[@kimlongsain6829]

Thank you for the tour! I enjoyed it a lot.

[@willieexplore]

That's great to hear! Thanks for the support!

[@xJanay]

Great video, I’m visiting next month.

[@willieexplore]

Glad you enjoyed it! Have fun on your trip

[@gohardorgohome7687]

Hey Willie , Helsinki is such a gorgeous city, I really enjoyed it so far and that chocolate liquorice certainly looked delicious , This city has such a unique character , keep it up brother 💪👊

[@willieexplore]

Always great to hear from you brother! A great place to visit, even during the colder months! The shopping malls kept me warm on this trip haha

[@Zami80]

Great video! We only put our flag up on certain "flag days", not every day.

[@willieexplore]

Glad you liked it and thanks for checking out my videos! :)

[@wanderingwelshman2858]

nice video dude ♥♥♥ 🙏🙏🙏 great move showing prices very handy not many travel vids include prices

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much! Appreciate the support and encouragement :)

[@jaspervanzyl6212]

Such an interesting video, Willie Explore! We are struggling with the heat here in South Africa - I wonder if we would survive the icy weather over there. You look quite warm, though!

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for your warm words there, Jasper - no pun intended! Definitely a challenge for a South African to survive in temperatures such as the winter ones in Helsinki. Cheers for all the support!

[@cyclingmarko69]

The passage that you went through has been given several nicknames, like "Granny tunnel" and "Jurassic Park", because during the Summer time it's a very popular party area for people of 40+. Eino Leino (1878 - 1926) was a author, a poet and a journalist. There is statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804-1877) in the middle of the Esplanade Park. He is the Finland's national poet and author of the Finnish national anthem.

[@willieexplore]

That is so interesting about the passage! I bet it comes alive when the weather is hotter. And thank you for providing the additional information about the statues!

[@cyclingmarko69]

@@willieexplore kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJi8faywp9-hhq8

[@jattikuukunen]

Your Finnish pronunciation is surprisingly good for a non-speaker. Almost everything was intelligible. Of course it's not perfect, meaning that you won't be mistaken for a native speaker. But don't hesitate using it since you will be understood easily.

[@willieexplore]

Kiitos! Appreciate you checking out my content and taking the time to comment and engage. Would be an interesting language for me to learn, that is for sure!

[@oh2mp]

Great video! You had really done your homework well with history and other facts! Don't worry about your pronunciation of Finnish words. You're a lot better than an average English speaker. Not very far from perfect :) You were wondering about some things during the video, so here you are: 25:15 viiniä ja ystäviä = wine and friends 25:30 Eino Leino was a writer who wrote many famous books. 25:51 Zacharias Topelius was also a famous writer and poet. 28:00 Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland. About 43:00 you tasted Tupla. The name means literally "double" because they contain two bars of chocolate. Nice to share eg. with a friend. 49:30 Hufvudstadsbladet is actually Swedish. You guessed right it's a newspaper. The biggest newspaper in Swedish language in Finland.

[@willieexplore]

Hi! Cheers for providing all the additional information and your kind words about my video! I really enjoyed reading up about Finland before this trip. I did guess that the statues were of famous writers, which is why I started talking about Finland in the 19th century and the Kalevala, but I wasn't sure. So appreciate your clarification! The Tupla is up there with the best chocolates I've ever tasted :)

[@oh2mp]

@@willieexplore there's a street and park named after Elias Lönnrot, who collected Kalevala, a little southwest from Stockmann. There is a monument in the park. Runeberg's poem "Vårt land" (our land) became the original Swedish lyrics of our national anthem. The text on the base of the statue refers to that.

[@willieexplore]

@@oh2mp thanks for the additional information! I bet those parks are amazing to visit in spring and summer. And interesting to hear the connection of Runeberg's poem and the anthem!

[@disadadi8958]

28:00 that's the national anthem of Finland in Swedish. The statue represents Johan Ludvig Runeberg, who was a poet and wrote the lyrics for the anthem in Swedish. Most of his work was done in Swedish, as it was still a pretty common language in Finland back in the early 19th century when he was born. He is considered the national poet of Finland with a lot of important and significant texts written that had a part in the nationalist movement that ultimately led to the independence in the early 20th century. Then again, there are still areas on the west coast where the majority language is Swedish even as of today, so Swedish makes perfect sense in his case.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for providing this additional information, very interesting! And cheers for checking out my videos!

[@disadadi8958]

@@willieexploreYou're welcome! And thanks to you for making an enjoyable video to watch!

[@avggigachad]

fantastic video my friend!

[@willieexplore]

Really appreciate your kind words! Cheers :)

[@penaarja]

There is 1 saunagondole In that ferrish wheel, You can rent. And in Lapland on downhill resort there is one In skilift condole as well

[@willieexplore]

Interesting, thanks for providing this additional detail!

[@joona2000]

Thank you for the good video! Just to let you know, the Burger King next to the Irish pub in the end of your video is the one with the sauna. It can be hired and it takes up to 10 persons. With the service of alcohol if wanted. Having the Finnish flag up holds a strict rules, dates and time of the each flag day. I just saw a video where people visited from abroad and it happent to be a flag day and they assumed that Finns are ever so patriotic because flags are everywhere always. Which of course is not the case.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you so much for watching and for contributing to the discussion! I am really pleased to hear the Burger King sauna is still there - some have mentioned to me that it may have been discontinued. I would go back just for that experience, however cringy it is ;) And thank you for the additional insight and information in relation to the flag. You don't always have to fly a flag to be patriotic :)

[@michaelmurphy1114]

We love your videos and we also travel often. Would love to meet some day. Maybe Tallinn??

[@willieexplore]

I'd be well up for that! Keep in touch :)

[@aaabee5440]

Visit the National Library, near the Helsinki Cathedral. One of the most beautiful buildings in Europe.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for the suggestion! Such a great city to explore!

[@HyperSpeakerman]

By the way, I was impressed how much you knew and told the viewers about Finland and Helsinki! :) The wife carrying championships started in a small Eastern Finnish village called Sonkajärvi. It's a bit of a novelty sport, but a lot of fun to watch! Estonians usually win, lol! The wife has to be very light and the husband quick and strong. 😂

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much! The wife carrying sport certainly is a unique one lol!

[@HyperSpeakerman]

Many of the Helsinki luxury shopping most Finns can't afford. Most people shop for clothes in H&M, Lindex, even Prisma hypermarkets (Like Target I guess) or Tokmanni supermarkets. We do have beautiful design and fashion though.

[@willieexplore]

We can all dream to buy those luxury items! Certainly the designs are fantastic

[@jattikuukunen]

I went to my local Prisma hypermarket but it didn't have that liquorice Tupla one available. :( I bought the three ones to its right on this video, one of each. I don't think I've tasted any of the different flavours before, just the original one. The original Tupla is a Finnish bar that was launched in 1960 and has been loved ever since. It's now produced by Cloetta, which has headquarters in Sweden and production all over Europe. AFAIU, they no longer have production in Finland.

[@willieexplore]

A real shame you could not get that liquorice one. That specific Tupla I tasted was excellent, I should have bought more of the other flavours. At least now I have another reason to get back to Finland! Thanks for the additional information about the chocolate's history :)

[@Tara_Pannonica]

I'm surprised that you don't have more subscribers. You are meant to be a guide.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks Tara, that is a nice compliment! Baby steps as I continue to build my channel.

[@darkmage7280]

Wife-carrying actually originated in my hometown of Sonkajärvi. Apparently there was a 19th century brigand named Ronkainen, who would test the skills of aspiring gang members on a challenging obstacle course: they had a habit of stealing livestock, bags of flour, tools etc., and then dashing off into the woods with the loot carried on their backs. The world championships are held there every year, and the winning couple gets the wife's weight in beer(!!!). The track is about 250+ meters long, and includes steeples and a water jump. The whole thing is obviously silly, harmless fun: there's an additional award for the funniest couple, for example. It is very, very funny to watch, and the competitors are actively encouraged not to take the whole thing too seriously. :D

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much for watching my content and for providing this additional insight! Very interesting indeed!

[@Swanoaks]

Thoroughly enjoyable time in Helsinki Thank you Willie: Kiwi from Virginia . . . PS, Thanks for putting me right on the scandinavian thing.. . lol.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching, Swanoaks! A very interesting city to roam around. Oh gosh, no, I wasn't referring to you or anyone in particular when I made the Scandinavian comment! In any case, this was shot more than a month ago anyways :) I actually got this question wrong in a pub quiz in my twenties when they asked which of these countries are not part of Scandinavia...the answer of course Finland and that always stuck with me. So I guess I was talking to myself haha!

[@mikrokupu]

@@willieexplore An easy (?) rule here: in the happy Nordic family of DEN FIN ICE NOR SWE, the 3 monarchies DEN NOR SWE are called Scandinavia.

[@willieexplore]

@@mikrokupu makes a lot of sense! Cheers for sharing!

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

Fantastic to get to see another city I’ve never been to! Looks very modern. Please take us down to one of the many beaches I’ve heard Helsinki have. And please would you explain, what do you actually use your Nokia for? I saw you have a smart phone aswell. Seems like good travel advice! Cheers 🍺🍺

[@willieexplore]

It is always great to see new destinations, isn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed this video! Unfortunately I didn't have time for the beaches on this trip, plus it was far too cold for a swim! The harbour area is the closest to the water I could manage. As for the Nokia phone, I use it as a spare phone for emergencies / texting local transport companies etc, as I don't have roaming on my smartphone. Hope all is well on your side!

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

@@willieexplore Thank you! Good advice! So are you very near the end of your trip for now?? Are you going back to the UK? Where are you based again? London?

[@willieexplore]

@@travel_and_explore_with_BIP I am already back in England, in the South Coast area :) these videos were shot December last year. Only one more Helsinki video to follow in this series.

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

@@willieexplore Very interesting!! I hope you will tell us about your future plans in ur final video! I’m based in London, but lived in the Isle of Wight for 3 1/2 years in the passed. Need to go back to explore that again some time. The south coast is very interesting indeed! Looking forward to ur final video from ur trip. Cheers 🍺🍺

[@willieexplore]

@@travel_and_explore_with_BIP you are welcome! Hope you're staying warm in this weather, it has been very cold the last week or so!

[@toinenosoite3173]

An excellent video! Just a couple of comments. If I have understood it correctly, the statue of Alexander II was a bit of an FU to Russian policies. He had been good for Finland (not however in ending serfdom as that never existed here), so erecting a statue of him in 1894 was a public demonstration against the policy of Russification at that time. Prices are high in Helsinki, absolutely, but the highest prices you find are in the centre of the city where you were. Thus, not the best place for budget shopping... Also, the prices of 0,5 l bottles are idiotic, as I can buy 2 * 1,5 l for less than 3 euros (without the deposits). Who on earth ever buys a half a litre bottle? Mannerheiminkatu is not the main street because it is wide - the reason is that it is about 5,5 km long, i.e. the clearly longest of the streets ending in the centre of the city. R kioski is our seven-eleven. We have had them forever, but I think the Norwegian Narvesen bought them up more than ten years ago.

[@willieexplore]

Hi Toinen! Thank you very much for your kind words. Really glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you taking the time to give some further insights and explanations - very interesting! Yes, the prices in the centre is, well, pricey, but I also visited the Lidl which is known for cheaper prices, at least in the UK where I currently live.

[@marianneahlbom5078]

Actually it was Swedish king Gustav Vasa that founded Helsinki or actually Helsingfors 1550! Thank you for your nice tour of our capital! Maybe you come back in summertime and show a completely differenr city!

[@willieexplore]

Thank you Marianne! We are talking about the same king, he was commonly known as Gustav Vasa as you point out. Appreciate the support and I'd love to return at some point :)

[@havuoksa]

Didn't you go to more southern part of the city where most beautiful architecture is found, jugend and Finnish National Romantic style. Also Kruununhaka and Katajanokka areas

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching. No, didn't go there :)

[@havuoksa]

@@willieexplore Next time, as well as do it in June or July, blue or light blue nights are quite magical in Helsinki

[@willieexplore]

@@havuoksa I can certainly imagine! Always good to have a reason to return to places :)

[@donquaviuslaquariusdinglen3066]

Awesome video! Even me and most people no matter where they're from, for what i know they too get overwhelmed by helsinki city centre prices, however that place does look very good! I've been there quite a few times, however the more "shady" areas of the city are always much cheaper. It really is easy to see where some people earn, for us atleast those prices are pretty intimidating though. Well, rovaniemi is a nice city even though compared to all the ones around the world, it's quite small but also i've gotten used to the prices there, even in the centre the bars are quite affordable lol

[@donquaviuslaquariusdinglen3066]

Also, santa really lives in korvatunturi near the russian border but i suppose he too has to make some money off-season, i dont recomment santapark to any backpacker but its a common place for most wealthier foreign tourists from what i know :D

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much for your continued support, engagement and encouragement! It is much appreciated. I've only had time to explore the more "la-di-da" areas of Helsinki this time, but I have to say I it was great, even though I could never afford some of those coats!

[@aukstadvarioregioninispark9614]

Very interesting 😊

[@willieexplore]

Really appreciate your encouragement and support!

[@toscabrutus1781]

Willie nog n uitstekende Video. Wel gedaan!

[@willieexplore]

Dankie Tosca! Sal sukkel om in daai koue te bly maar wonderlike ervaring om daar te kuier. Ek is seker mens kan lekker rugby kyk daar by die Ierse pub ook!

[@toscabrutus1781]

Ja ek elf verkies die warm weer! Die pub klink na n goeie troosprys!@@willieexplore

[@pasileino315]

A really nice city-tour, thank you! One pronunciation tip: Emphasis is always on the first syllable: It’s HELsinki, not helSINKI. Same for all other words and place names as well. Cheers!

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for the helpful tip there, Pasi! Really appreciate you checking out my videos too :)

[@tcb1017]

Candy's nd chocolate anything Fazers is so good. Anything sweets is so good in Finland just how Marabou chocolate is very good also being a swedish product. These country's do have their shit together to sorak of and I don't know how and why they are so smart 😊

[@willieexplore]

Definitely a lot of good sweet stuff in Finland :) Thanks for watching and engaging!

[@tcb1017]

So, if Finland is so expensive as you say. How can they afford to live a high class living there as they do ? Do anyone know ?

[@willieexplore]

That is a good question, hope the locals can help us out! I suspect salaries (and taxes) will be high

[@playnochat]

@@willieexplore Finland doesn't have such high class living, but it doesn't have very poor people either. The happiness of Finland comes from good education, general safety, low corruption and social programs. Even Finnish national song lyrics say: " Our land is poor and will stay poor, if you desire gold."

[@willieexplore]

@@playnochat I did not know that about the anthem, thanks for letting me know!

[@Pappa_66]

❤Thanks mate! Great video. I just found your channel and I will watch your videos😊when I have more time😅. Actually, we have over 3 mio. Saunas, more than cars. First ones are about 9000 bc. But hey, who cares, have a great journey and stay warm❤. Welcome!!

[@willieexplore]

Hi there! Thanks for getting in touch. I appreciate your kind words and the support! Oh wow, looks like you have even more saunas now than the information I had suggested! Amazing to think more saunas than cars. Is it true that many Finns were also born in saunas, especially in the old times when it was often the most hygienic place to give birth? Stay warm :)

[@jakemaanimeikalainen248]

@@willieexplore Yeah sauna was a place to be born in, a place to treat the sick, a place to smoke meat and a place to wash the dead. So it was part of the whole life cycle.

[@willieexplore]

@@jakemaanimeikalainen248 incredible

[@Gibbetoo]

that ferris wheel has sauna too.

[@willieexplore]

I am not surprised! Thanks for watching my videos :)

[@hoo_jii]

It’s a shame you only showed Mannerheimintie and Aleksaterinkatu areas. In the center there are the districts of Kaartinkaupunki, Ullanlinna, Punavuori, Eira, etc. They have great architecture and cozy cafes and restaurants. Finland at that time if the year is at it’s worst with all the slush and the darkness 😄

[@willieexplore]

To be fair, those areas I showed kept me busy the whole day! I'm sure Helsinki has a lot more to offer, so that alone is a good reason to return one day. Appreciate your support for my channel :)

[@domdole]

28:00 Statue of Finnish national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg

[@willieexplore]

Cheers! Appreciate you watching my videos

[@spoonzor1]

I loved playing snake in highschool! But the cheat was you could pause when the snake got too long.

[@willieexplore]

Ha, I never knew about the pause! Guess I'll have to start playing again :) Thanks for watching!

[@lmpalin2675]

Based on experiments in my youth with light colored winter clothes, I'd say that the root cause why people wear so much black here in Helsinki is that snow mixed with water tends to get muddy on the streets and splashes from bypassing cars stain your overcoat the moment you step outside 😅

[@willieexplore]

Haha that sounds like a proper and very practical reason to wear black! I'm sure it is a bit more colourful in the summer months :) Thanks for watching and checking out my channel, I appreciate the support!

[@dennislindqvist1265]

What is relevant is what the same garment costs in different countries. Norway has had high prices for a long time and Sweden is starting to catch up, I think the world is becoming an expensive place to live. Cheap labor is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

[@willieexplore]

For sure, Dennis. Cheers for watching!

[@aarolecklin8627]

Pronouncing of Tie, like mannerheimintie, is not Tii. There needs to be clear E at the end. Like first letter of elephant.

[@willieexplore]

Cheers teacher!

[@jukkakopol7355]

There is third cathedral in Helsinki a catholic one build by kuvernor Von Berg for his polish wife. There are also oldest islam parish in nordic and armenian and georgian churches but those man must know where those are.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching, Jukka! That is interesting. Not sure I understand the last part of your second sentence though? "those man must know where those are"

[@MEDFinland]

Im from Finland 🇫🇮

[@willieexplore]

Nice! Thanks for watching

[@MEDFinland]

@@willieexplore :)

[@fdk7014]

I know the "sleepy head day" or Sjusovardagen but I've never heard that you get thrown in the lake. I would lose that competition every year

[@willieexplore]

I am not really a morning person so I won't enjoy it either! Cheers for watching :)

[@Tiax776]

The normal Tupla is way better. Somehow they made that licorice Tupla way too sweet and also slightly bitter at the same time. The balance of flavours just isn't there.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and engaging! Often it is the case that I enjoy an original more too, but in this case I only had the liquorice. I have to say one of the best I've ever tasted :)

[@HyperSpeakerman]

I absolutely love the liquorice Tupla though, I'm a Finn.

[@willieexplore]

@@HyperSpeakerman it's great, isn't it!

[@aarolecklin8627]

And right way to open a tupla bar, is from the middle😊

[@willieexplore]

@@aarolecklin8627 makes sense!

[@mickeyfromhendon4038]

Santa Claus is from Finland! Rovaniemi is not the place though... Santa Claus is from Korvatunturi! 😘👍

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Mickey, nice one!

[@glfirst4247]

Santa Claus who came round my place in Devon at Christmas wasn't from Rovaniemi or the sausage place Korvatunturi.😄

[@willieexplore]

@@glfirst4247 haha!

[@mikaveekoo]

Not only had women right to vote, 19 women were elected to parliament already in 1907.

[@willieexplore]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing and for checking out my videos!

[@ellieengel2188]

beautiful city but the people don't look happy as they claim to be....

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching Ellie! I thought the people were very relaxed - not a worry in the world - especially considering the cold weather!

[@ellieengel2188]

that happens when u are rich hahahaha@@willieexplore..I thought the choir was so cute

[@zoolkhan]

eino leino: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eino_Leino flags in finland are raised on certain flag days. We are no america, inflationary use of something would devalue that something. be it compliments, or flags.

[@willieexplore]

Interesting, cheers!

[@penttiperusinsinoori3037]

Instant coffee isn't coffee🤮

[@jattikuukunen]

Plus local brands of real coffee cost the same for a much larger bag.

[@willieexplore]

Haha, now that is a good reminder for me! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@cinderellaandstepsisters]

Finland's population is 5,5 million.

[@Deltroyer1963]

Yeah, Nescafe is bad, but Kulta Katriina instant cafe taste like normal finnish cafe.

[@willieexplore]

@@Deltroyer1963 interesting! Cheers for watching

[@Napalmikauppias]

Street signs have two languages: Finnish and swedish. Finnish usually first

[@willieexplore]

Interesting, cheers!

[@akirantanen2944]

In Helsinki nothing to see. Go to take look of real Finland🎉

[@willieexplore]

I really enjoyed Helsinki but I've been told great things about other places in Finland too. Hope I get a chance to visit Finland again :)

[@akirantanen2944]

@@willieexplore if you want to see what it really is, go anywhere else then Helsinki. Lakes,fauna and sights are somewhere else,countryside begins always less than 5km centre away before next city...

[@cinderellaandstepsisters]

Finland's population is 5,5 million.

[@arska77]

2023 population over 5,6 million.

[@willieexplore]

What arska said

[@mikaveekoo]

You missed the KU, a leftist newspaper. Kansan Uutiset, the voice of people. 😖

[@willieexplore]

I would never have guessed with my limited Finnish! Thanks for watching :)

[@akinav]

43:40 LMAO "mE nEiThEeeRRrrR"

[@willieexplore]

It's great though!