With Motorcycle to NORDKAPP-Norway
Day-9 : 12 July 2016  Tuesday
from Helsinki (Finland)>>>to Oulu (Finland) :-Total distance : 610 km

It was 08:15 when I left the Hotel Cumulus in Helsinki. Breakfast was not included and I decided to have my breakfast on the way to Oulu.It was wet on the streets because of a short rain during the night. There was a clear sky and sunny weather. I am lucky today. I have long way to ride and the weather looks to be fine.

The location of the Hotel Cumulus Helsinki is well. The price w/o breakfast is around 45.-Euro. But the most expensive thing is parking for my bike. In the downtown it is forbidden to leave the bike on the pavement or on the side of the street. Parking is only under the ground. I paid 36.-Euro for 24 hours of parking. It was shocking. I paid the amount to the hotel reception. The Hotel has some kind of agreement with the car park management and someone can pay at the reception. 

I rode in the direction of Lahti. I found a nice place after 55 kms to have breakfast. It was 09:00 when I stopped there. There was open buffet breakfast including sousages, various cheese, salads, varios juices etc. I ate more then enough for the long road and took 2 apples for the road. It was 09.35 when I started to ride. 

Day-9 Route : Helsinki to Oulu

I made another stop after 280 kms from Helsinki. It was a big fuel station. I took off my rain gear and enjoyed the view eating my apples.It was 12 o'clock and the weather was sunny. One guy came closer to me and we started to chat. He was a funny guy and appreciated my long tour. I met also an italian couple here who were also heading Nordkapp as me. We also talked a little bit and they went away.

The road and the surrounding view was wonderful. Green fields and blue-shining lakes were completing the scenery. At 367 kms leaving Helsinki behind me, around 14:00 I stopped at the leg of a bridge in order to rest and to enjoy the view. The name of that place is Lansi-Suomi, Viitasaari. I rode down from the main road and came to the bank of the lake underneath of the bridge. There were two people on a small fishing boat. 

Lake Laensi-Suomi, Viitasaari

455 km away from Helsinki, around 15:00 I saw on my right hand side a nice place decorated with big variety of brass bells.The name of this place is probably Vaskikalle Physalmi. There was also a Neste fuel station. I stopped there for a coffe. The italian couple was also there. We saluted each other and then I sat together with the two motor riders from Finland. They were really surprised when I told them that I am coming from Istanbul and heading Nordkapp. 

We drank coffe with two motor riders from Finland

Painted brass bells everywhere.

Blue bells and rider in red.

It was around 17:30 when I arrived at my Hotel Cumulus Oulu. I had booked the Hotel through booking.com when I was in Helsinki last night. It is 85.50 Euro for one night including breakfast. There was also a free private parking within the hotel building.

Right after putting my stuff in my room I went down to the sauna. The sauna is located in the basement and I relaxed half an hour there before going back to my room. Since I am far in te north, the day is longer and there is no hurry for having day light outside. Just around 20:00 I went out and walked to the down town of Oulu. It is something around 500-600 meters from the hotel. The streets are wide and clean. There are not so many people like I am used to see in Istanbul. 

One of the main streets in Oulu.

I saw a Turkish Restaurant on the street Kauppurienkatu. It looks good and exclusive with a very good location. I decided to dine here on the way back to the hotel.

Turkish Restaurant of Mr. Bahri in Oulu. 

At the end of the street Kauppurienkatu, close to the sea side there is a famous sculpture called "Policeman". It is the characteristics of Oulu  and most of the people are having picture at the side of him.

My blond model and the sculpture Policeman

Policeman and me.

Kauppatori Square and Café Houses.

At the bank of the sea.

I walked over the bridge Pikisaarensilta to the small island. I took some pictures on the island. It was nice sun set lighting around 22:30.

After a while I started to walk in the direction of my hotel. I stopped at the Istanbul Restaurant where I ate delicious Adana Kebap. I recomment to everybody to stop and to eat there Turkish food. The owner and the cook of the Restaurant is Bahri. He had moved during late 80 's from Ankara to Oulu.

Adana kebap of Istanbul Restaurant in Oulu

Bahri Bey and me.

After the dinner, I walked to my Hotel Cumulus. It was still day when I sat down at the lobby outside of the reception and took a drink from the bar of the hotel. After that I moved to my room in order to sleep and rest for tomorrow. Good night !!!