Linnanmäki Mayhem
Li - Nun - Mä - Key
(The "ä" is like the "a" in "cat")
The weather was fantastic and we decided to spend it at the Linnanmäki amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. My wife has been when she was young, but this was the first time for Smallsteps and myself. I have never been much of an amusement park person, but I have enjoyed them when I have been earlier. Though, I was never great with most of the rides and old age means that I was a bit dizzy after the carousel - the baby's carousel that is.
Kids are extreme these days.
Linnanmäki is in Helsinki city about 2 kilometres from the heart of the city. A walk in good weather or an Uber/taxi is easy enough.
The difficult part for us was deciding which ticket to get. The cheaper one with the kids rides didn't have much for the family, and the more expensive one we would barely use most of the rides attached. However, with some deliberation, we took the more expensive one.
Smallsteps lives up to her name and at almost 9 years of age, is only 124 cm tall, This means that she couldn't go on many of the larger rides, even if she wanted to, as they were minimum 130 - 140. However, she did get to go on her first rollercoaster and it was nice that we were all together for the occasion. Not only that, it is pretty unique, as it is an old, rickety, wooden one and has what they call a "Brake Master" who not only manually controls the speed, but does so whilst standing at the back of the carriage. You can see her in red behind, and there are supposedly not many rollercoasters in the world that still have them.
Originally in the 1950s, Finnish fighter pilots did the job.
Smallsteps still doesn't know if she loved or hated it.
She loved it.
And this one...
No.
Nor this one.
I quite like rollercoasters as does my wife, as long as they don't spin and rock back and forth like the pirate ship. But with the height restrictions, we would have had to leave Smallsteps behind, or go individually, and that wasn't worth it. However, the first ride of the day was dodgem cars, except it was for Gen-Z snowflakes and there was no intentional hitting allowed and everyone had to go in the same direction. Smallsteps was driving as Oscar Piastri in my car and I did the pedal and despite my wife choosing to be Valtteri Bottas, we lapped her four or five times and teased her each time for good measure.
Not all Finns can drive fast apparently.
And even though we didn't go on the bigger rides, we had fun by getting into the smaller ones with Smallsteps. Rather than be the parents that stand back and watch calmly, we were carrying on and shouting and laughing like lunatic asylum patients.
The Ferris wheel scares me still.
But again I had to hide it.
And that was what made me dizzy.
Babies were pointing and laughing at me.
We ate lunch there, and it was as expected - expensive and not great. But, it had enough fat energy provisions to push us well into the evening. We spent about 7 hours there all up and saw and did what we aimed for, and it felt about right. Lots of walking in the sun, but it was warm and even hot, which meant that the "cooldowns" were welcome, rather than uncomfortable.
The cooldowns came in the form of the river rapids that spray a bit of water, but on one run (we did three throughout the day) I ended up half under the waterfall. Smallsteps had a blast in there, and my wife screamed every time. It was short, but a lot of fun.
The lines to the attractions were not nearly as bad as I have experienced at other places, but a couple of times we had to wait 15 or 20 minutes to get onto the ride. This wasn't unpleasant given the weather, and we had plenty of time to talk about what we had done, or planned to do.
I came close to getting a prize.... But not close enough.
I am a failure as a husband and a father.
(And that isn't sweat on my shirt - Smallsteps and I went into a water jet obstacle course and I lost)
For Smallsteps first real amusement park experience, I think that this hit the right tone of fun and excitement, without being too intense. It was an easy day together and it took up the entirety of the day, so if going, give it some time. After, we headed into the city to grab some dinner, and then back to the hotel for a quick swim to cool off.
This was a better day than either my wife or I expected it to be, and Smallsteps had a blast. There is heaps to do in Helsinki though, and tomorrow we are going to continue on with a couple more museums and then just chilling around until we head back home to end our mini holiday away.
Taraz
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What a fun day! I don't think I've ever seen one of your posts where you all look so damned happy! Smallsteps' first amusement park adventure was a huge success and honestly, I'm not sure who had more fun, your daughter or your wife lol. You've a lovely family!
It is a rare sight indeed!
It was good to see my wife laughing so much. It is almost as rare as seeing me happy :)
Well it is quite becoming...that means you all. It made me giggle all the way through!
Beautiful photos, real emotions. Such photos can be reviewed many years later.
I think and hope so. I would like to make a proper album book at some stage of at least some of our photos through the years.
I loved how you joined her in everything instead of just watching from the side, these are the kind of moments that stay in memory forever. ❤️
I think that she will remember this trip. She is of the age where a few memories will start to stick forever, and this might be one.
The times we share laughter and happiness are really what family memories are all about :)
For sure :)
🎉🎉🥳 Congratulations 🥳🎊🎊
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Umm...one thing missing...uncle.
Looks good though. I think this is the place near where we had a beer that day with Z right. It looks fun and like you had a good time.
It is similar to that place, but in Helsinki. I feel like there was more to go it this one for kids of Snallsteps age. She really enjoyed it. You should have seen her face at times on the rollercoaster!
She certainly looked like she had fun, something she'll remember for a long time. When I come up there I'll go on the rollercoaster with her so she can laugh at my horror! (Let's hope I don't vom.)
It’s clear how full of laughter and beautiful memories the experience was, especially when you share every moment with your kids and live it with them as if you were children again. ❤️
I hope she remembers some of the moments at least. I should keep reminding her so she doesn't forget :D
Dodgems have always been my FaVe.
Imagine that... I do it for a living..😳
Great Post Bro.!!
:D
Truck dodgems? Sounds expensive!
The dodgem you posted of is way more fun and made me smile. 😉
Mine... Not so much. (i.e.)
Sounds like a day full of laughter, courage, and great memories, Smallsteps will treasure this forever!
Wow, seven hours seems like you got a lot out of your money! Roller coasters are a bit of a nope for me. I just can handle the motion sickness. I don't have that issue with riding in the car though.
Those spinning and stomach up ad down ones are a no no for me too. But a rollercoaster by itself is okay. I can't read in the car at all.
Amusement park is one of my favorite place in the world. It really a fun and exciting place. If you love extreme rides you will really love this place.🥰
Love this post Mr Tarazkp, recite my adventures with my children when they were around the age of your daughter. You know it's always good to keep these kind of memories with family because they make us adults capable of treating you with kindness and kindness.
It is to celebrate the moment, to dream and live more like children and imagine stories as well as the three of them do in these mini-vacations
Do you remember these kinds of things from that age? I am hoping that Smallsteps will at least have some highlight memories.
Of course, I remember ❤️, Mr. Tarazkp, they are unforgettable memories, of my early childhood. And my adult children, today, tell stories to my grandchildren about when they also had fun with us, their parents. What you sow well from love in your family is for life.
Great post- lots of fun photos, the Journaling makes readers feel like they were there with you all... having fun.
I think people should journal more - even if they don't publish it :)
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Good to see all happy folks together! I think you all have Seized the moment at its best.
At least for a few hours :)
I went to this kind of amusement park a long time ago. I had a lot of fun, and it's a great adrenaline-boosting experience. Smallsteps, your housewife seems to have had a lot of fun. This short vacation was very beneficial for your family.
My wife thinks Smallsteps passed out for a moment. I am not so sure though :D
A very beautiful place. I think this place is a very good place for children's mental development and sports.
That's really awesome.! It seems to be very adventurous visit! I just feel nostalgia while looking upon such things or rides and remember my childhood memories, It was really great doing such rides!
Hope you enjoyed this visit well!
Have a good day!!
Will you go back and try again - for nostalgia sake?
I would love to.! But I don't think I'll be able to!!
Looks like you guys had lots of fun :) Here in Seattle it was a nice sunny day with 34 degrees Celsius, we are not used to these kinds of temperatures and other than watering my tomatoes I stayed inside where we have air conditioning running :)
I miss air-conditioning at home!
34 is hot!! Are your tomatoes okay?
Yes, they are OK, just watered them about half an hour ago.
what a happy family,its nice to see all of you enjoyed your vacation,a priceless smile can't buy a thousands😊enjoy
It look so fun looking at your pictures. I would love to try these rides too but I think I can't do it HAHA
Dear @tarazkp !
It makes me happy to see your wife and Smallsteps happy!
By the way, I remember that it is bad for the health of people with brain diseases, including strokes, to do exercise that stimulates the brain vigorously!
I think you are taking good care of your health these days!
I sometimes wonder what kind of expression you would make if Smallsteps were a boy!
I think a father and a son can have a friendship as men, but a father and a daughter are different!😄
What kind of nonsense is this? :D
I remember that riding carousels and roller coasters is not good for stroke patients because it stimulates the brain.
Bumper cards without bumping? That is SO sad... If you ever want the real deal, come and visit, there are no security restrictions at all - even the seat belts for those cars are more than questionable. Pure mayhem.
Luckily, I'm kind of okay with all the heights and speeds and stuff. I can keep my mind under control for quite a while, but not forever. While Lily, of course, loves all those adrenaline rush things like the pirate ship, and wants to stay on them for hours, I'm okay for 10 minutes. Then it's getting boring. And when I'm bored, I think. And when I think, well, there are always scenarios. And then the fun goes away.
Looks like you had a great time there! Thanks for taking the time to share it!
Incredibly sad. I have seen Days of Thunder and "rubbings, racing" :D
Hmm - I haven't thought about this. Perhaps I can just blank it out :D
Sounds like a great day. Shame about the height restrictions, but that just means you'll have to be back when she is taller!
I'm a big fan of amusement parks myself... until I'm responsible for being the chaperone for 8 crazy 6th graders that aren't even MY kids. That end-of-year school trip was INSANE! NYC certainly knows a thing or two about old rickety rollercoasters, ours in Coney Island is over 100 years old and has been re-fortified a few times over the years. Count me in on the flips, but I'm not a huge fan of getting dizzy spinning around in circles either.
Bumper Cars without bumping?! What is the point in that?
When she is 16 perhaps! :D
At least not mechanically induced dizziness.
Oh.. what fun! :) i don't much like roller coasters tho..
👊😉😎