Finland Part 2

---

Finland - the rest!!
The days have passed too quickly!
We’ve found out the history of Finland visiting various museums - it’s interesting to note that this might have been one of the Communist bloc if it hadn’t been for the “Whites” beating the “Reds” in 1918.
We travelled 160 km north of Tampere to see the various animals that inhabit this land, such as elk, wolves and deer. We would like to say that we saw them in the wild, but we didn’t! A very large open zoo was an ideal location in the middle of nowhere.
We experienced more saunas - this time in Mario’s summer cottage where you have to light the fires to heat up the room and the water to bathe before the sauna. We have thrown ourselves into the Nasijarve lake after the sauna (well at least I did!!) to cool off, and drank lots of beer between sauna sessions. These saunas can last the entire evening - just ask Roman - he didn’t come home until after 12 when he and Max went down to use the sauna - Paivi and I fell asleep waiting for them!
Roman and Max went fishing and both caught some fish - Roman catching a pike and Max catching 2 smaller fish.
They also caught Rapu (like a gilgie or marron) in the lake. In fact Max caught some before over the last few weeks and was fattening them up for this special occasion. Paivi cooked them according to a special recipe (using dill, brown beer and salt and pepper), and then we had a special party with invited guests eating rapu until we couldn’t eat any more - 3 platters of about 50 rapu on each platter were eaten with great gusto!!
We visited Helsinki and walked and walked looking at all the sights and even went for a ferry ride to one of the islands where the Marines train (Max trained there when he was conscripted). And so ended our Finland experience.
Max and Paivi were fabulous hosts, as were their family - a special thanks to all the people who looked after us, also to Anna and Laura who gave up their unit so that we could have a place to stay in Helsinki. And lastly we have to thank Taika who had to share us with her parents. She kept us amused and delighted with her antics. Pity we couldn’t speak her language.

Russia - St Petersberg
What an introduction!! It was raining when we landed and we caught a minibus to the main centre - that was a mistake because then we had to catch a taxi to the hotel as it was raining even harder!! The taxi driver saw his opportunity and charged us for the privilege!!
When the rain stopped, we ventured out and visited the Monk Cemetary and cathedral just in time to catch a service!! First impressions - run down and slightly seedy. The vodka is very cheap - A$2.70 for ½ litre!! Beer is good and A$1 ½ litre. Lots of high class shopping for the Russian nouveau riche and the unwary tourist.
St Petersburg is built on a grid system and none of the buildings are higher than 7 floors. The buildings are ornate and seemingly built in the Empire style, with much renovations in the last few years to bring them into the 21st century. Everyone walks around with mobile phones glued to their ears, stilettos that are at least 10cms high and

---

Photos

Max carrying the "baby"
People were quite amazed to see Max carrying this around Helsinki

Comments

[Roma]

The rest?
What happened after and?

[Mandys]

Believe it or not - I forgot - I write these blogs on the computer and then publish another time ----- and....... that's what happens when you travel!!

[Weggs]

Food and drink
Hi Lucy, we are home now so I can finally look at your pics. With our wireless card on the road the money runs out too fast downloading pics so we have the browser set not to, so it's the first time I saw our blog with pics too. Food and drink sounds good. Think we'd be drinking vodka and beer! Did you like the taste of the rapu? Did they taste like our marron? Off to read the next one now. PS I know what you mean about writing the blogs one time and posting sometime later - sometimes things in mine don't make much sense later and I have to add bits in. Rags used to proof them for me and add bits but he never seemed to want to be bothered this trip. cya Judy