Another warm, sunny day so a day at the beach was planned. We took a No.4 tram to its terminus at Munkkiniemi. It’s a very pleasant suburb of Helsinki with an attractive bay, a peaceful spot with a long seafront walkway alongside tall reed beds and wild roses. Nearby you will find a ‘Mattolaituri’ meaning carpet washing pier.
This is where Finns bring their carpets and rugs to be washed in the sea. There is always a scrubbing table and even a mangle to take away the excess water and aid drying. This lovely sight is a Finnish tradition which I’ve seen in many places in southern Finland. There’s a community spirit as people come together and chat whilst doing their spring cleaning. Best of all, the carpets and rugs are safe and no one is worried that they might disappear overnight.
Wandering along we passed an ice cream kiosk doing a steady trade and continued to the sandy beach which is surrounded by trees for those who prefer the shade. The beach has showers and changing rooms and is a lovely spot to relax and soak up the sun for awhile.
We enjoyed a dip in the warm sea then settled down to read our books and eat the picnic we’d brought along. After a blissful couple of hours we strolled back towards the tram, stopping at Cafe Torpanranta for drinks on their attractive terrace which overlooks the bay.
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Interesting that they still wash their carpets in the sea. I wonder how many generations that will continue now. Cheers Marion. Allan
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I think it’s a very popular activity as each summer we see young and old carpet washing as there is no fear of the rugs being stolen, and the washing stations are maintained on a regular basis. Thanks for taking an interest. Marion
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Please check out my blog!
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I’ll take a look, thank you.
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Beautiful! I don’t think of Finland as being warm enough to swim at the beach. But then they do have almost endless days in June. I would love to go back to Finland some day.
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I hope you get an opportunity. Finland generally gets continued high pressure over the summer months making trips to the beach very popular. Thank you for reading and commenting on my post.
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Seen this in Kazakhstan but with variation..no ocean just hanging in special areas in a playground..hard work..
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That’s interesting to read that you have come across the carpet washing stations there. Thank you for commenting and reading my post.
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Interesting please feel free to follow my blog I’ll be positing reviews and outfits tips for the day hope you find it useful x
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Thanks Jess, I’ll definitely take a look at your blog soon.
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Thank you very much x
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…absolutely love this, wish I was there now!! Just the feeling I got admiring your photos! I could feel the warmth! love the carpet, rug cleaning station too, so cute and funny and cool!
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Thank you so much for your comments. Helsinki is really beautiful and much warmer than you might expect.
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Fascinating, thanks,this would be good everywhere
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Thanks Angeline – it would be a really good green initiative wouldn’t it! So nice to hear from you and for your comment.
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Makes carpet washing almost seem like fun! Thanks for reading my blog – glad you enjoyed it!
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Thank you for also taking a look at my Finnish posts – the carpet washing is very interesting.
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Your pictures are happy, thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much for your inspiring thoughts!
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The carpet washing looks like fun but I’ve actually never tried it. We have a place near our apartment but it’s on dry land and a very boring place to look at. I’d much rather do such a mundane task by the sea!
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They do really need to be by the sea don’t they! I love traditional things like this but it must be quite an effort to actually use.
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Beautiful!!!
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Thank you, it really is gorgeous there, thank you for commenting!
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Your welcome, the Summer is ending and I didn’t go to the beach. So it’s a good feeling seeing travel post 😊
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Please visit my blogs, it’s about an incident I had, 3 month coma, the things I went through to be where I am.
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http://officiallythyda.wordpress.com/
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Lovely snippet of Finish daily life! Thank you!
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Thank you for your lovely comment, I’m glad you enjoyed my post.
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What a great idea – bringing your carpets and rugs to wash them in the sea!! Never heard of that before but this I love seeing this kind of local tradition when I go somewhere new.
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It’s a very eco friendly thing to do as well as being a lovely old tradition. Just think if we had carpet washing piers in the UK and people left them on the props for a few days to dry then the likelihood is that some of them might be stolen, it’s sad to think like that but probably true!
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Sad but true – I was thinking exactly the same thing!!
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Well portrayed, Helsinki at its best☺.
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Thank you for such positive comments from a Finn! That’s made my day.
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Oh wow I’m so glad you liked my post about Portugal because it meant I stumbled across your amazing blog! I love that you’re on such a unique trip and it’s made me so excited for when I hopefully go inter railing next summer! Can’t wait to read more of your journeys x
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Thank you for taking a look at my blog HannahJayne! I’m pleased you are enjoying it and finding it useful. Best wishes for your upcoming inter rail adventure,
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I’ve never really thought of Finland as having sandy beaches. That was a real eye-opener! I like the idea of the carpet-washing area out on the dock.
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Finland enjoys warm, sunny weather during the summer and there are lots of lovely sandy bays around similar to this one. The carpet washing piers are interesting and I believe unique to Northern Europe – at least I haven’t come across them elsewhere. Thank you for reading my post and your interesting observations.
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What a delightful holiday this is Marion! Enjoying the posts:)
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Thank you so much for your positive thoughts Rashmi. Finland would make a good north European destination for you to visit sometime.
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I love to visit Finland someday (praying pose). Nice blog you have.
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Cafe Torpanranta is in a great spot. I went there during my last visit to Helsinki (over 12 months ago now – time flies) on a Sunday and it was heaving! I didn’t realise what that pier was for, though.
I went to visit the Aalto House which is nearby afterwards. Have you been there?
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Hello, Yes I’ve also been to the Aalto house but not on this trip. That cafe is really lovely, sometimes we go there in the evenings, too as it’s such a sunny spot and it’s always busy – a combination of good location and good, reasonably priced food! When the Carpet Washing Stations aren’t bring used some people seem to think they are picnic tables without seats ! Thanks for commenting and sharing my love of Finland.
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I think that’s what I thought!
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Wow the carpet washing pier is an interesting thing I’ve never heard of before. I must say I don’t know much about Finland but your posts have definitely inspired me to consider visiting the country 😉
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Thank you for taking an interest in my blog and in Finland. I’m English as you’ve probably already realised but I’m of the opinion that Finland is a delightful country in so many ways – beautiful nature, interesting towns and villages and charming people. I do hope you might have an opportunity to visit for yourself sometime. With Kind Regards, M.
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This is very interesting!! I have seen a photo of this place before but didn’t know the name of this place. Thanks for the information 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words. It is very interesting and seems to be unique yo Finland. Kind Regards, M.
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Good Morning Marion.
Wow. I am happy that You visited Munkkiniemi. I lived there many years ago and loved the area. Another thing which delights me in Your post is carpet washing. This tradition in Finland is maybe unique in Europe. I have tried many times to present it in my posts thus offered for future visitors to check it. Thank You presented this beautiful area in Helsinki.
Have a nice day!
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Good Morning Matti, How lovely that you used to live in Munkkiniemi. Sometimes we have walked all the way round the bay from Otaniemi to there. As for the carpet washing piers, I’ve never seen them elsewhere either but they are a splendid idea and very a very ‘green’ one as another reader, Kirstie suggests. Hoping you have a nice day, M.
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I love the carpet washing pier, I want one in my life. Such a nice community idea, and so simple, so a green option. Is this a once a year thing at a certain time?
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Hello Kirstie, Thank you for reading my posts. The carpet washing Piet can be used at any time once the sea is no longer frozen and the temperature will be warm enough to dry the carpets. It really is a good idea and I have seen many of them on my travels in Finland.
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