We have put for you together some practical information, that can come in handy, when you are planning your stay in Finland.

The Easter week-end also causes some exceptions for example in shops' opening times and public transport time tables.

TRAVELING

Reception desk at the Airport

There will be an EKC reception desk at the Airport, arrival hall 2 (Schengen arrivals) on Wednesday 19.3.2008 and Thursday 20.3.2008.

The reception desk will be open from 10.00 until about 22.00 on both days. If there is nobody at the desk, there are some written instructions and maps available on the desk.

For those teams who arrive from non-Schengen countries, stroll along from arrival hall 1 to hall 2.

The reception desk will help you locate the airport buses and taxis. For persons arriving when the reception desk is not open, follow the instructions at the desk or given below.  It is not so difficult to find your way to the buses and taxi.

Please consult the map of the airport here: http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/maps

Airport buses and taxis

Finnair buses will take you from the Airport to the City Centre for 5,20 euros. Buses will stop by the Opera House (close to the Youth Hostel) and at the Railway Station (close to the Hotel).
Schedules: http://www.finnair.com/filecontent/com/citybus_com.txt §

A taxi from the airport to downtown Helsinki will cost around 30-35 euros. A normal taxi will accommodate four persons, as long as you can fit your luggage in the car trunk.

If you come with a complete kendo-gu, shinai and normal winter + party-clothing, do not start arguing with the taxi drivers. Accept the fact that only three persons will fit in.

>>MAP: From the Airport by finnair bus to the Hotel (pdf/98KB)
>>MAP: From the Airport by finnair bus to hostel (pdf/46KB)

Shuttle bus between sportshall and hotel

Shuttle bus services form the Hotel are indicated in the general schedule. Outside shuttle bus service, please ask advice from the Info Desk or GSM Helpline.

SPORTSHALL

>>MAP: Töölö Sportshall surroundings (pdf/61KB)

EKC Offices

Championships Office - or help desk - will be available at the hotel, youth hostel and Sports Hall during the times indicated in the definitive draft schedule. If there is nobody behind the desk, please contact the GSM helpline (see below).

You can address these people for all inquiries, lost (or found) items or any other problem you might have. Pass by to say hello even if you don’t have any problems!

GSM Helpline

There are two general GSM numbers where you can call for any problem or inquiry.

The one located mainly around the Official Hotel Presidentti is:
046 - 849 6475 (calling outside Finland:  +358 46 849 6475)

The one located around the Sports Hall and Hostel is:
044 - 958 3530 (calling outside Finland:  +358 46 849 6475)

Service at the Sports Hall

At the EKC Venue, Töölö Sports Hall, you will find dressing rooms with showers, cafeteria, kendo shops and the official EKC Shop for souvenirs.

Close to the sports hall you’ll also find a newsagent, some convenience stores, a pharmacy, bars and restaurants. See separate information and maps, or consult the Info Desk

Shinai-check

Normal shinai rules apply.

All shinai must be checked before entering shiai-jo for the first time on day's competition.

Shinai can be checked the night before at the hotel or the hostel. Please check the shinai-check times in the general schedule.

You can check your shinai in the morning at the Sports Hall between 8.00 - 9.00. In case your shinai breaks after this, you buy a new one and have to check it urgently, please go to the EKC desk at the Sports Hall.

The Sports Hall shinai-check point will be located at the second floor of the Sports Hall, at or close to the EKC Office.

Practice possibilities

In addition to warming up, free practice and Good Will Keiko during the championships, you can practice on

- Monday 17.3.2008: 18.00 -19.30: at KKTI dojo, Olympic Stadium
- Wednesday 19.3.2008: from 10.00 - 21.00 at KKTI dojo, Olympic Stadium. Finnish Team has booked for 18.00 - 19.00, otherwise the hall is free. Shuttle bus service form Hotel to KKTI is between 18.00 – 21.00.
- Thursday 20.3.2008: 16.00 - 19.00 at Töölö Sports Hall B and from 19.00 - 22.00 at KKTI dojo, Olympic Stadium. KKTI dojo can be opened on demand earlier, too.

KKTI dojo is located at the Olympic Stadium, same complex where the Youth Hostel is. It's an easy 5 minute walk away from Töölö Sports Hall.

Shuttle bus services form the Hotel are indicated in the general schedule. Outside shuttle bus service, please ask advice from the Info Desk or GSM Helpline.

First Aid and access to medical care

A First Aid Point will also be available. It is located in A-hall (shiai-hall), opposite to the main table, next to ladies' dressing room. It will be clearly indicated outside.

From the First Aid Point you will be directed to medical or hospital care, in case of serious accident or illness.

If you need to see a doctor at the Hotel or Hostel, please contact the EKC Office/Help desk at your accommodation or call the GSM Helpline.

Home Bases for Teams                                                             

A little "home base" will be allocated to all teams. There you can store your food and water, kendo-gear and have a rest during the EKC.

The home bases are located on the second floor of the main shiai-hall (A-hall). From the balcony you can also follow the competition easily.

Team Photos

There is a possibility to make pictures of your team for free.

Our professional photographers are ready for you on Friday, after the Commendation Ceremony (17.00) on the second floor of the Sports Hall, near the EKC desk and lunch area.

The pictures will be posted on a special website where they are downloadable for free for non-commercial purposes.

Line up and smile! If there is a rush hour, you can make appointments for individual photo sessions with our professionals.

STAYING IN FINLAND

Weather

It is still winter in Finland in March. Be prepared for everything. Seriously, we mean: EVERYTHING.

If we are lucky, the sun is out and the temperatures can be moderate (from - 5° to + 2°C). If we are less lucky, it might get cold - or very cold (from - 20° to - 5°C).

If we are even less lucky, it gets cold and wet. Then all temperatures are bad.

Check out the Helsinki area weather forecast: http://www.fmi.fi/weather/local.html

Shops in Town

Due to Easter week-end, most shops are closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday. They will be open on Saturday.

However, there will be some shops open at the Railway Station Tunnel near the Hotel Presidentti and also during the holidays.

We recommend that you do your shopping either on Thursday or Saturday or save it for the airport where shops are open on Monday as well.

Please ask the EKC Office in the Hotel or at the Sports Hall for details and maps.

Restaurants

There are several reasonably priced restaurants, hamburger places and bars around the Sports Hall.

One sports bar is located at the south end of the Sports Hall building.

During the seminar you will get reasonably priced lunches (Chinese, Indian, Thai, hamburger) from these places if you don't want to use the Sports Hall cafeteria all the time.

Water

Don't grab the bottle. Tap water in Finland is safe to drink and most people think it tastes quite good too. Bring an empty water bottle for refills.

Mineral waters can be bought in shops, but they are quite expensive.

Alcohol and protection of minors

Even if Finns like their alcohol, the official booze policy is quite restrictive.

Alcohol is expensive in Finland. Bring your own (plus some extra for the organisers). Normal EU Customs regulations apply.

Wine, liquor and strong beer is sold only in state monopolised shops called "Alko". Alko is closed on Easter holidays (open on Thursday 9-20). Regular beer and long drinks can be bought in normal shops and kiosks between 9.00 and 21.00.

Alcohol may not be served to or bought by minors (under 18 years). Minors are often not allowed admittance into restaurants serving alcohol in the evenings. Keep this in mind if you plan a nice dinner with your junior team. Some bars and restaurants reserve the right to select their customers and set their age limit at 20 or more.

Keep your passport at hand to prove your age, even if you are 20-something.

Due to this regulation, please note that the Sayonara Party has to be split in two after dinner. Adults go to the Presidentti Night Club, juniors will have a non-alcohol-serving disco in the restaurant floor.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed indoors, not even in restaurants, bars or pubs. If you smoke, smoke outside. Please take care of your cigarette butts, don't leave them behind. Cigarettes may not be sold to minors (under 18 years).

Public transport

According to some surveys, public transport in Helsinki is the best in Europe. Trams operate between downtown Helsinki, the Hotel and the Sports Hall regularly in all weathers, also during Easter holidays. During the holidays, Sunday timetables apply for the most part.

A tourist ticket is a handy way to guarantee your freedom of movement: http://www.ytv.fi/ENG/transport/tickets_and_fares/hinnat_2007/matkailijaliput/

Visiting Finland

If you want to extend your stay in Finland either before or after the EKC, you're most welcome to do it. For some initial tips, please consult: http://www.visitfinland.com/w5/index.nsf/(pages)/index

For the most adventurous and fearless, we can suggest some Extreme Helsinki Experience trips to the Eastern Helsinki sub-suburban pubs where even Aki Kaurismäki would look like a yuppie. Ask the organisers for more information.

Additional Information on Finland

Start by browsing here:
http://virtual.finland.fi/