Day 300: Finland — Nordic States Begins

Weather Update: Clear skies. High 24°C

Elevation: 26 m / 85 ft

A Noisy Night and an Early Start

Last night was restless. Noise drifted in from outside, and inside the dorm, late arrivals rummaging through their bags woke me more than once — I’m a light sleeper, so every shuffle and zipping bags feels like an alarm clock.

Still, I set my own alarm for 7:30 am. No time to lounge around. Breakfast was simple — beans on toast with a hot coffee — and because I’m always courteous in hostels, I’d packed most of my belongings the night before. Only my nightwear was left to deal with, which I folded away outside the dorm to avoid disturbing others.

By 9:55 am, I was on my way, though my sense of direction betrayed me. I thought I was heading the same way I’d gone the last few days, but in fact, I was walking away from the port. A quick check of Google Maps corrected me, and by 10:35 am, I was checked in, through customs, and ready to board.

At $39 USD (65 NZD / €33.25), the crossing across the Gulf of Finland felt like good value — especially on what looked to be the largest ship I’ve sailed on yet.

Boarding the MS Finlandia

The MS Finlandia, operated by Eckerö Line, has been running the Tallinn–Helsinki route for over 30 years. Three times a day, she glides between the two capitals, linking countries that feel like natural complements to one another.

This was a one-way trip for me — my Nordic adventure had begun. The ship promised bars, entertainment, shops, a business lounge, and cabins of all shapes and sizes. But with the ferry quiet, I settled into a bar at the front of the ship, happy with plenty of space around me.

The Crossing

As we left port, the water shimmered like glass in the afternoon sun. The hum of the engines sent vibrations across every deck, yet it felt as though we weren’t moving at all — more like sliding across a frozen lake. An hour passed, and our destination still seemed distant, though only 90 kilometres away.

At one point, mist rolled in, and visibility dropped to almost nothing. The barman assured me it was only from the warm weather — and sure enough, it cleared suddenly, giving way to sunlit views as Finland drew closer.

Duty-free opened, and passengers stocked up on cigarettes and spirits, a ritual of these Baltic crossings. I thought of Chook’s upcoming year-long cruise — if this short hop felt surreal, how would it feel to live at sea?

Approaching Finland

The last stretch into Helsinki was striking — tiny rocky islets scattered across the water, catching the sunlight. Oddly, the thought struck me that it would be a beautiful place to be buried — a strange idea, but one that stayed with me as we glided past.

Arrival was effortless: no passport checks, no delays. Though I know EU border rules will soon tighten come mid-October, for today, it was smooth sailing. This makes Finland my 12th European country of the trip — 16 more ahead if all goes to plan and 34 countries in total.

Check This Video Out: https://youtu.be/7Egu-JE_H5I

First Steps in Helsinki

From the port, I hopped onto a tram into the city centre, then walked the last 3 kilometres to the hostel. It was mid-afternoon, warm and bright, and I considered stopping for a beer on the way, but bars were not open being a Monday.

The dorm here has three other people I’ve yet to meet. Hopefully, they respect quiet hours — unlike Tallinn, where hostel life kept me awake.

Looking Ahead

I’ll be in Helsinki for three nights, though I may extend by a day to rest. Tomorrow, I plan to begin exploring the city — there’s plenty to see, and I’ll finally get the camera out again.

Today has been more about the journey than the destination, but what a fine journey it was. Compared with the rough two-day ferry I once endured between Jakarta and Singapore, this one felt positively second-class — comfortable, easy, even entertaining.

A new country, a new adventure.

➡️ Tomorrow: Helsinki opens its doors — from Senate Square to the harbour, I step into the heart of Finland.