Helsinki Winter Garden

I have lots of things to tell you about Helsinki, but I just got back from a day spent exploring more of the city with John and am about to dive into an evening full of screen-based activities. Namely, watching our church livestream… followed by the Miami F1 race!!!!

Since I’m attempting to post daily (the roll call of MayBloPoMo is now up to Jenny, Kae, Sarah, and Maria), I decided to write about our trip to the Helsinki Winter Garden (Talvipuutarha).

This was the first outing we managed after nearly a week of being homebound by illness and it was the perfect gateway excursion.

On the outskirts of the city, this greenhouse was built in the 1890s and is open year-round with free entry (you know my eyes *sparkle* when I read those words). Apparently, it’s especially lovely around Christmas with flowering poinsettias and azaleas!!

I thought there was a cafe on site and had promised the kids a treat; turns out there isn’t, but other people certainly came prepared to eat. There was plenty of indoor (and outdoor) seating and we saw multiple groups enjoying elaborate picnics.

Side note: I am forever impressed by how intentionally Europeans approach their picnics. Glass flutes for champagne (or, in this case, prosecco), fruit and pastries, meat, cheese, and delicious fresh bread. The kids and I were sitting beside a group of older ladies picnicking together. One of them would even get up periodically to blow bubbles around the garden. At one point I leaned over and whispered to Belle: #LifeGoals.

There were some large plants! (And elderly ones, too. There’s a camellia tree on site that’s over 130 years old.)

Indy volunteered to provide scale.

Long-time readers won’t be surprised to learn the carp pond was a certain someone’s favourite spot. This kid is fascinated by fish and spent a long time watching them swim, periodically piping up with commentary about their behaviour.

Oh look, he’s still at the pond!

Settling in for the long haul.

I had to snap a picture of the empty prosecco bottle—neatly placed by the garbage can for recycling as Finns are incredibly environmentally conscious and have an elaborate garbage system—by one of the picnicking groups (who did indeed bring glasses for said prosecco).

There’s nothing pretentious about it, people just really love to enjoy life. Suzanne asked yesterday what’s behind Finland’s consistent ranking as the happiest country on earth. There are a lot of factors, of course, but I’d say their approach to picnics is representative of how they aspire to lead their lives. They prioritize time spent appreciating good food and good company in natural settings.

Belle admired the water fountain while Indy was falling in love with the resident carp population.

The Palm Room was my favourite space and where the older ladies were having that delightful picnic/gab-fest, complete with bubbles.

It was a crisp spring day outside, but delightfully warm inside. I think I’d spend a lot of time in this space if I lived in Helsinki.

One wing of the building is full of cacti. (Not quite as impressive as the garden we saw in Barcelona, but lovely nonetheless.)

The aforementioned Prosecco Picnic happened on the little terrace above this water feature.

Of course he would find something to climb!

If there’s no inherent danger, let’s invent some!

Belle was passing by a tree and let out a little shriek. When you’re walking quickly, this squirrel looks VERY real.

Full credit to Belle who took this picture of Indy. I think it’s PRECIOUS. More generally, kudos to both John and Belle who allow their pictures show up on this blog regularly without much acknowledgement.

I love, love, love this picture. The little corner was so quaint with a tiny water feature and blooming orchids; I plan to go back, prepared with my own picnic supplies, before we leave Helsinki.

And that’s a wrap. If you happen to be visiting Helsinki and are looking for a warm oasis in the winter, or a colourful oasis in the spring and summer, this is the place to be.

Just be sure to bring a picnic (prosecco optional).

Happy Sunday.

• What do you think would be the key components to a country being ranked the happiest in the world?
• Where does your home country rank? SADLY, Canada has dropped from 18th to 26th over the last year…?