TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025

A DAY FOR RELAXING

This will be a short one today. I woke up this morning feeling the exhaustion of the last few brutal work weeks, and a whole lot of walking and climbing the day before, and ended up lounging in bed until the early afternoon. It’s a shame to miss a couple of the Helsinki things I had planned, but I also have zero regrets as I absolutely needed it.

When I did eventually get up, I noticed that my phone calendar said “no new events today”…. which was odd since I was looking forward to the spa treatment I had booked at my hotel. Turns out in the mental whirlpool that was the last few weeks I accidentally booked it for the following afternoon, when I was going to be en route to Lapland. I went downstairs to the spa and thankfully was able to change to an appointment today, albeit an earlier one, and a simple massage vs the Nordic-themed treatment I had planned, but I was so relieved that they had an opening.

Given the earlier start time, I had just a few hours to wander around Helsinki, so decided to walk to some nearby design shops and just take in the area.

My first stop was Artek, right around the corner from my hotel and a nice Finnish furniture and decor company. Didn’t take long to walk around – not much different than wandering around a Crate & Barrel – but I always enjoy that and this was no different.

Walk around Helsinki

Marimekko flagship store

Cathedral

Okra shop

Went back to the hotel for my massage

Afterwards, I went back to my room to relax for the night. I ended up getting room service again – that same delicious parsnip soup and a caesar salad this time. Not the most exciting day in the history of traveling, but a much needed chill one, and a nice early night in before heading to Lapland tomorrow for the Flash Pack trip.