Finland’s Summer Favorite: A Picnic

One of the only major wedding gifts that made the trek out to Helsinki was from our good friends, the Raimondis.

They lived in Barcelona for quite a while after they were married and gave us lots of good advice on how to make the most out of this experience. They also gave us this fabulous picnic pack, so that no matter how strenuous the hike, or far the journey, we would be able to have a beautifully appointed and convenient picnic at the end!

This was the picnic basket’s second voyage, as the weather was finally proving fine enough for us to utilize it.  (I took more photos, but I didn’t realize the setting was way of so they are all blown out…)

It comes with a cooler pouch in the back, and an insulated, wine bottle-sized carrier on the side, a bottle opener, tiny cheese and salami-sized cutting board with knife, travel sized salt and pepper shakers, as well as place settings for two, complete with gingham plain napkins!

It is so adorable, I want to just eat out of it every day! Which I have considered, but having a picnic for one is rather depressing…

We walked through some stores and gathered the requisite cheese and crackers as well as pasta and green salads. By this time we were really hungry, so we ended up picking out the most random picnic items, including some stir fry noodles, a sandwich, and shrimp.

From the center of town, we hopped on Tram #6 and rode it nearly to the end, and got off 20 minutes later at Arabia, just on the edge of the city.

Which is remarkable, because it feels like you are far away in a beautiful sprawling park. Which, really, you are. It just happens to be about 2 miles out of the city center.

We spread our hot pink picnic blanket (I picked that one out..) on the waters edge and got settled in to enjoy the sparkling sun and light wind.

After a few hours of lounging in the sun and snacking on our goodies, we packed up and took a stroll through the rest of the park and explored the water line and canopied pathways. I had been up here twice, both while running. Mile 9 of my half marathon passed through here and it was the turn around on the way back. The first time, I was training and scoping out the course and I was completely baffled when the industrial yards opened up into this long, green beltway. It is also lined with very cool modern apartment complexes of all shapes and sizes. If we were going to be here for a few more years, I would want one of the ones that face the water, with big glassed in decks to enjoy the sun year round.

Eventually, at the top of the park, there are a series of bridges that lead you over to a dam where the water inlets. It is really pretty and serves as a lovely getaway from the city, with very little effort.

I am hoping to squeeze in at least one more picnic before the weather turns on us. Perhaps when my parents are in town, if the weather behaves!