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Thingvellir National Park (Iceland)
by AbsintheFairy
The Thingvellir (or Þingvellir) National Park in Iceland has a long and distinguished history. The Icelandic Parliament was established there in AD 930, remaining there until 1789. The Thingvellir National Park was founded in 1930 to protect the remains of this site and also the natural aspects of the area. The Parliament helped to forge ... a common cultural heritage and national identity among Icelanders. The Althing (assembly) was held here, at which people could make speeches and present cases which were judged by the laws of the time. Thousands of people would flock here, setting up temporary houses and selling goods, watching entertainment and drinking ale.
The park is also significant for geographical reasons. It lies on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which are drifting apart at the rate of 2.5 cm a year. The North American plate in particular is especially impressive, towering over the flagpole on the Althing site.
The park is located in south west Iceland near Reykjavik, and is one of the locations on the popular Golden Circle Tour, which is the tour I took to visit. It would be possible to hire a car and visit the park yourself, however you'd need to be a confident driver and to know where you were going! For most people booking onto a tour would be the easiest way to see it.
The park was the final stop on the tour and as we drove towards our stop the driver pointed out the edge of the Eurasian plate. Over the years the plates have moved apart leaving a kind of low plain in between. Our coach stopped next to the North American plate which looms like a cliff over the plain.
As a group we walked for a couple of minutes up towards the North American plate, crossing a bridge and walking slightly uphill in the process. There were a couple of wooden platforms where you could stop and take photos. We stopped just beneath the plate at the point where the Althing used to be held. On the ground it was still possible to see the outlines of some of the huts built to house people attending the parliament. Our guide also pointed out the bridge at which women and criminals were drowned!
While anyone who wished could go back to the bus, most of us chose to walk up to the top of the plate and meet the coach which was going to drive round. This involved walking up a gully next to the plate. At this point a snowstorm came on and I felt as though I was in The Lord of the Rings!
At the top, the views were very impressive. We could see the sea to our right and the plain spread out in front of us. It was strange to think we had crossed over a divide in the Earth's crust.
Overall the Thingvellir National Park was a very impressive sight. I liked to think of ancient Icelanders meeting here to discuss their issues. It definitely helps to know something of the history and geography behind the place, and the guides are very knowledgeable about this. Definitely a must-see if you visit Iceland.
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Esplande Park (Helsinki, Finland)
by linzeelou
Although there isn't really anything to do at this park, it is still a very popular tourist attraction. Esplande Park is located in South Helsinki, right near the sightseeing ferry port and Market Square. From the end furthest away from the port, it will take you around 10 minutes to walk there. The park is also a 15 minute walk from the ... main train station in the city centre.
I noticed this beautiful park while heading to the ferry port to go to the zoo and decided that it had to be a place we went back to. At the end of the park nearest the ferry port is the Espa stage which stays all year round come sun or snow. On the couple of occasions we were near the park, different musicians were playing on the stage and fashion shows are also hosted there throughout the year. The free music concerts gave the park a lovely atmosphere and seeing people just sitting around taking it all in was delightful. It really was great to sit around on the grass and take in what was going on around us. Near the stage is also a café/ restaurant which we didn't use.
As we visited Helsinki in the middle of summer, it was pretty hot. The Esplande Park gave me a place to sit either in the sun and work on my tan or under a large tree and hide in the shade. I really liked that different parts of the park had differences in the weather so there really was a place for everyone to sit no matter their preference. Each time we were either in the park or walking past it, there were plenty of people lounging around, taking in the view and taking advantage of the glorious weather. The park is also child friendly as there are large grassy areas where families can sit with their children and there is still plenty of room for them to run around.
Along the paths of the park, there are plenty of small ice cream sellers as well as some kiosks. As it was summer, this was a great thing so that people could cool off with a refreshing ice cream/ lolly or an ice cold drink. This did make me wonder what happens in the winter though and if people stand outside selling hot drinks for the people taking in the views of the park during that season. If they do, I feel really sorry for them as it gets freezing in Helsinki during the winter. The St. Thomas Christmas Market does inhabit the park though during winter and it made up of over 120 stalls where you can buy items like fur, souvenirs, crafts, food and baked goods.
The views from each side of the park were wonderful. Each side has different restaurants and shops and while sitting on the grass, you can decide at leisure where you would like to eat. From here, you get a good sense of what else you can do in Helsinki and what the city has to offer in ways of shopping and dining. The diversity of restaurants and cafés was good and it seemed like there was something for everyone and for every price range although quite a few of the restaurants do look more upmarket compared to some.
Esplande Park was a fabulous way to waste a couple of hours and the best part of it is that it is free. Not much in Helsinki is cheap or even free to do so the park makes a nice change and it is a lovely place to relax and take in the city.
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Symanski Park (Warsaw, Poland)
by Praskipark
Symanski Park is another park I stumbled across on my travels throughout Wola, the district of Warsaw in which I live. I was surprised to see two large parks very close together. Symanski is just across the road from Sowinskeigo Park and there is a path way leading from one park to the other.
The difference between the two ... parks is that one is a typically old fashioned urban style park, very similar to parks in UK in the early 60s and the other, Symanski, is very modern. Well, most of the park has been designed in a modern way although I thought it looked like the modern area had been extended on to the traditional park area.
As you enter from the Wolska road you come towards a large pond with ducks and the park designers have made little channels throughout the park so that the water from the main pond can flow through so it looks like there is a moat around the park. Some areas are fenced but only with low fencing which is quite jolly made from steel, coloured in blue and red.
To match the coloured fencing the walkways and cycle paths have been laid with pastel designed tiles which form swirly patterns. There is also a concreted area for skateboarding and for kids who want to practise their roller blade skills.
The far end of the park to the left is the biggest area for walkiing and sitting. Flower beds surround the walkways but last week when I was there the beds were empty but it looked as though fresh soil had been applied preparing the area for planting. New trees had also been planted in this area too. Two brand new playgrounds have been added as well as various water fountains which add a certain sort of elegance to the park.
If you cross over from the newly renovated area of the park you will come to the monument of Edward Symanski who was the patron of the park. The monument displays the head of the poet set on a plinth. Leading up to the plinth are several stone steps with rows of conifers on either side of the steps. This is set in it's own green area with lots of trees around the grassy verges. After finding the monument of course I had to go home and find out more about this man. I was pleased to find from Wikipedia that he was a socialist poet who was born in Wola. His father was a left wing activist (PPS) and involved in the underground political movement. Edward only lived a short life as he was captured by the Germans and taken away to Auschwitz where he died at the very young age of 33. I have taken a liking to this monument although at first I thought his ears were too large - made him look like an intellectual Dumbo but having looked at old photos of the poet the sculpture is very realistic - he did have big ears!
To the right of the monument is a small park for children with swings and a roundabout and a path that leads across Ulica Elective towards a side entrance of Park Sowinskeigo.
Symanski Park is very clean and tidy and all around are waste bins for litter. There are plenty of wooden seats too. I did notice that this park seemed very popular with the elderly, young Mum's and teenagers.
I enjoyed my walk around the park and I really liked the wacky paving designs and coloured fences. It's a little out of the way for me to go to on a regular basis but I will go again definitely when the weather brightens up.
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