KT's Finland snow and ice capades: Sea pools in the snow, eating in prison, dreamy outdoor sports store, and Fallon's welcoming committee

When we arrived at the airport, we got SIM cards, a rental car and coffee (x2) for Sarah. Sarah was a little concerned about the size of our rental car (she is calling it Mr Toad's car), but it has really good studded snow tires so that makes us happy.

Sarah looking concerned at the size of our rental car (aka Mr. Toad)

Next stop was Scandinavian Outdoors to pick up our new Nordic skates - yay! When we walked into the store, Sarah and I were like kids in a candy store - so much awesome gear for the outdoors. They even had lots of winter pants specifically for women (and that came in short sizes). Clearly there is a focus in Finland in making the outdoors accessible to everyone. It took some will power, but we eventually extracted ourselves from the store.

Sarah has done the driving so far. The studded snows on the rental are great, especially given that they don't really plow the streets. So far, we have only seen a truck with a giant brush for brushing the snow away.

Driving along and all of a sudden there is a big red ship.

One of the cathedrals in Helsinki

The plan was to stay in Fallon's apartment. However, she was away so we had to figure out how to get her key to us. She decided that the best plan was to leave it in the drain pipe - what could go wrong? Fallon is a clever one and sent us several videos of our key treasure hunt and how to use it once we found it.

Outside of Fallon's apartment

Fallon cleverly hid the key in the drain pipe for us (good thing it was snowing and not raining).

We found it! Fallon's apartment key!

Sherlock is unsure about snuggling with the intruders to his home.

Trying to figure out what in the world the parking signs mean (pretty sure that it means we shouldn't park here for long).

Settling into Fallon's apartment.

Once the jeg lag started to hit hard, we decided we should get some food into us STAT. One of the closest restaurants to Fallon's place was an old prison which opened at 5:00. So, it was decided we would go to dinner at the prison. Turns out this was an outstanding idea - the food was super delicious.

Going into the former prison for dinner.

Arriving at the prison for dinner - at 5:00 (almost an hour before anyone other customers arrived).

Our "prison guard" took this photo.

Blini with wild mushroom filling and pickled stuff (don't worry Mom & Dad - it's only Russian food, we're still in Finland).

Salmon and cauliflower - Sarah and I shared.

Solitary confinement cell that was used up until 2002.

Group prison cell

Somehow I convinced a very tired Sarah that going to the Allas Sea Pools after dinner would be a good idea. This may seem like a small feat, but Sarah was totally cooked from lack of sleep on our flights.

Toasting with our prison tin cups.

Figuring out parking was a little tricky, but we did it. We bought our tickets to the sea pools and the guy explained to us that most people go in the sauna first, then the 0°C sea pool next, then the warm pool, and the do that in reverse order to end up back in the sauna.

"Moving Cinema" in Helsinki right near the sea pools.

Entering the sea pools area was exciting and beautiful. There was fresh snow falling, the anticipation of doing this new experience, and the lights of the city made everything feel magical. We decided to use the sauna for women instead of the co-ed one.

I'm a sauna wimp and prefer them when it is not blazing hot. As soon as someone puts more water on the hot rocks, I feel like I am going to melt. When it got really hot, Sarah and I braved the sea pool. I definitely didn't stay in long (I don't know how Juno and Maya do this ice swimming regularly). After the frigid water, we swam in the luke warm pool. Both pools actually made my body feel good.