Oodi - Helsinki Central Library - one of the great modern city libraries

Oodi was one of the key projects for the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence.
Located next to Helsinki's Central Station, this library is for all. The opening hours reflect this: Weekdays 8:00 - 22:00, Weekends 10:00 - 20:00.

It's just about borrow books - you can see a movie, create music, play games, study, hold a meeting, dine, sew, learn how to cook, use a 3D printer and browse materials in almost 20 languages.

On the third level is Children's World. A secret door leads to the fairy tale room.

One of Oodi's tenets is Equality. "Everyone has a right to be in Oodi. Hanging out at Oodi without a reason is allowed and even recommended."

Place of learning, work of art, community centre, lounge, haven - Oodi is one of the great modern city libraries.

Oodi's brochure

"Dedication" art piece - the word-adorned spiral staircase

Unique Manhole Covers - Europe

Instead of the usual tourist snaps and selfies, how about taking photos of each city's manhole covers?


Each one is unique, contains landmarks of each town and tells a story. So when sightseeing, don't always look around, look down.

Bergen, Norway (Bryggen)

Stockholm, Sweden (Gamla stan)

Day trip from Killarney - Walking the Gap of Dunloe

Being on the edge of Killarney National Park makes the famous Gap of Dunloe an easy day trip. Buses (private companies, no public buses) leave the city centre between 9 and 10 a.m. The cost is 5 euros (pay the driver). You will be dropped off at Kate Kearney's Cottage (see map below, the start of the trail).

1. Walk (approximately 11 km/ 2 - 2.5 hours, depending on photo/rest stops) to Lord Brandon Cottage (on Upper Lake).
2. Take tourist boat to Ross Castle (around 2 hours, depending on the depth of the lake in the narrow section).
3. Walk back to Killarney (40 minutes, see map below). Keep your eyes peeled for native Red Deer in the woods.

Killarney Discover Ireland Centre (across Beech St from Tesco) can book the boat trip (adult 17.50 euros) across Killarney Lakes. O'Donoghue's Boat Tours have been working the lakes for generations. Highly recommended, Dermot (and his dog, Sam) is a delight.

The morning bus leaves from outside the tourist office.

Summer can get crowded. We did this in mid May (only a handful of walkers).

Total cost for the day: 22.50 euros.

This day was probably the highlight of our trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland (followed by the Cliffs and Moher and the Causeway Coast).

We had plastic raincoats in our backpack, but we didn't need them.

The walk downhill

Approaching Ross Castle

A pleasant walk from Ross Castle back to Killarney. A popular route for "jaunting cars"

Forget Belfast day coach tours! Tour the Causeway Coast independently! Save money and time

Forget about a crowded escorted coach tour from Belfast to Giants Causeway, Rope Bridge, Bushmills whiskey distillery and castles along the Causeway/Antrim Coast.
No tipping. No tourist traps/souvenir shopping. No waiting for all the passengers to return to the coach.
Coach tours charge you for admission (10 -12 pounds) to the Giants Causeway Visitors Centre. Admission to the causeway is FREE if you take the public path next to the visitors centre.
Translink (Ulsterbus) public bus drops you right at the entrance to all sites visited by the tour buses.

Buy a 24 hour iLink Smart card (Zone 4) for 16 pounds (about $US20). This card gives you unlimited train, bus and express coach travel. Order online and the one pound card charge is waivered. Just pick up your Smart card at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre (9 Donegall Square in CBD).

In one day we visited the Causeway Coast, then Londonderry, before returning to Belfast.

Sample Itinerary:

Travel from Belfast by train. Get an early train (before 8:30 a.m.) so you beat the day coaches.
Get off at Coleraine. Bus stop is just outside station (left exit). Route 402 serves Causeway Coast.
Download bus timetables. Buses travel in both directions.

Travel straight to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Sit on left side of bus for spectacular coastal views.  Allow 1-2 hours. Bus back to Giants Causeway (Allow 1-2 hours for visit).

Bus back to Coleraine. Train to Londonderry. Tour walled city (Buses are coordinated with trains).

Return to Belfast either by train or coach (Goldline coaches are comfortable, free wifi), depending on your timetable. We were back in Belfast by 5 p.m.

There is an excellent Causeway Coast Walk pdf to download if you want to hike some sections rather than wait for buses. See: "WalkNI.com"

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, crossing is 9 pounds for adults, book online for timed admission

Giants Causeway

Causeway Coast

"Derry Girls" mural, Londonderry

Dunluce Castle from the bus window

A Mexican Vodka Martini?

We foolishly bought a too sweet vodka (Absolut's lime flavoured). To remedy the situation, a new cocktail was born.

In a cocktail shaker combine plenty of ice and the juice of a large lemon with 1 part Tequila (whatever you have on hand) and 3 parts aforementioned vodka. 

Result: a smooth vodka martini, with the cloying taste of sweet lime removed.

Review of "The Hub" Hotel (Clarion Hotels), Oslo

The Hub, a newly refurbished hotel just across the road from Oslo's Cental Station, has a stunning elevator lobby. The facade is a huge LED screen with a water/ice sound and light show. A fun way to wait for a lift (elevator).

Digital "smart elevators"

Ask for a view towards the Oslo Fjord and Opera House. Buffet breakfast is a highlight - one of Oslo's best. If you have an early train, request a breakfast take away bag.

Central location, across the road from shopping malls and station

P.S. The bear mounted on the wall (in some rooms) is cute too.

Bergen's Fortress - escape the tourists, free admission

All of Norway's 17 fortresses are open to the public.
Bergen's fort is adjacent to the old town (Bryggen), yet few tourists visit it. When you finish climbing to the top section, there is an excellent (free) museum of Norway's military history, housed over several levels, in the grounds of the fortress complex.

Views of Bryggen

A pleasant walk

Cooking in a hotel room with an iron

Peckish? How about pita bread, ham and cheese? Warming up a pizza slice? Toast?

Use a hand towel each side of upturned iron to stabilise iron.
Set on highest setting.
Check iron light remains on (some irons have auto cut off with inaction).
Turn when brown.
Teflon coated iron makes cleaning easy.