Tallinn funtime

Oops, it's been a while without an update..

Well, it's always nice to visit Tallinn. This time it was a tour in the Old Town pubs and clubs. At first we enjoyed some tasty beef at Argentiina restaurant. Then it was time to head to the Valli Baar for a round of "Millimallikas" shots.

now that the traditional Christmas market is at the Raekoja plats, it's time to stop for some glühwein.

DM Baar has moved to a new, bigger and central location, but alas I must say that I feel it has lost some of the original touch. It seems more like a regular bar now, with just the limitation that Depeche Mode is still everywhere, of course.

Last bar for the visit was Hell Hunt ("The Gentle Wolf"). Their house brand beers were quite OK.

My tour was "a tourist cliché" the locals might sigh, but my first time in any of these places and I found them interesting.

Further, something interesting left store for a future visit could be "Hookah Café" as we don't have that kind of places in Finland. Also, Ölletorn with wide selection of Estonian beers might be interesting.

From the beginning of next year, Estonia will adopt the Euro currency. Let's see what happens to prices..

Signs of Winter 2011, part #2: Ensilumi

Three nights ago it was time for "the first snow". There is still plenty of it on the ground, but most likely it will still melt away (many times) before the real winter starts.

Signs of Winter 2011, part #1: Ruska

Trees are changing color - turning yellow, orange, red.. Nights are getting colder and longer (it's already getting dark at 7PM).. Autumn is in progress..

Traktorikynnön SM-kilpailut 2010 @ Saari

The next event from last weekend (September) was "Tractor Plowing National Championships". This year it was arranged at Saari, Mäntsälä.

It is very interesting that they do really arrange this kind event for World Champion level too.. Maybe it's just that I still feel like a city grown boy, and I'm not that into country lifestyle to get excited about the art of plowing..

Seriously, I don't mean to offend the skillful farmers who can actually drive a tractor and are doing it for living - they're growing the food also for my table.

Torpparihulinat

The last weekend of September was full of activity offerings.

First, a brief visual report from Sälinkään Torpparihulinat, an annual event that has been arranged since 1996. It turned out nice and even seemed to introduce a few original ideas - such as rope-pulling competition - compared to the traditional "country markets" that are mostly just about, well, selling stuff.

Rye bread from the Sälinkää Mill was really tasty (as locally produced food usually tends to be).

Nature's wow effect in the sky

Now that's what I call a Rainbow.. :)

Traber Monstertruck Stuntmen Show

The "German motor circus" visited Mäntsälä! I've never been to one of these before so I found it very entertaining. I guess the kid liked it too - for a few days after the show his absolute favourite toy was a miniature monster truck, which he then had jumping over miniature cars.. :)

I think informing about the show was rather poor.. eventually there were roadside ads, and a Facebook group with most current information. I guess I'm getting old as I would've preferred a traditional web page with a logical, easy-to-find name instead..

For more information (about the performers): The Traber Monstertruck Stuntmen Show

Heureka!

The Finnish Science Center is located in Tikkurila, Vantaa. Tickets are pretty expensive, but luckily small children (under six years of age) get in for free. The kid, aged three, still managed to entertain himself for a few hours, even though at times it became clear that he wasn't yet so much into it e.g. out of sheer fascination to the law of physics..

It should be noted that Thursdays are good days to visit Heureka - it's open until 8 PM, and two adults get in for the price of one with "the Veikkaus card".

The Mäntsälä Fair 2010

Oops, it's been 1.5 months since the last update! Although big things have happened in my personal life, travel-wise there is not much to tell.

Anyway, The Mäntsälä Fair ("Mäntsälän Messut") was arranged on the last weekend of August (28.-29.8.2010). It was interesting - although frankly - not mind-blowing. There were over 2500 visitors to the fair, and a lot of local politicians campaigning. The next chance to visit them again will be 2012, if we are still living here.

Sepänmäen maalaismarkkinat 2010

A quick visit to the local "handicraft market", set at a very nice historic village area. It was about the same as before, but it's nice that they arrange this kind of event annually.

Pikkulintu

The hidden gem for quality beer and whisky enthustiasts, located in Puotila, in the eastern part Helsinki. Definetely worth a visit.

Lahti Historic Rally 2010

Almost completely missed this event, even though had some plans to see it since wednesday night. Finally on saturday afternoon, at the "very last moment" we were there with my son to check out the parked rally cars (too bad we didn't see them in real action).. maybe next year then.

Takinkääntöviikko @ Mallusjoki

An interesting local event at Mallusjoen Seuraintalo that lasts for the whole week! Every night they have some bands playing live music, and offering beverages and bratwurst with tasty sauerkraut at an affordable price. I was there on Thursday night and it was a bit quiet - it felt as the place and amount of people was like "Nakukymppi times two", but most of the older people didn't seem to enjoy the music that much and left early. Or perhaps they were just loading batteries and getting ready to rock harder on Friday and Saturday nights.. ;)

Porvoo (Kungsbacka's farm)

This is a laid back update, as it happened already before my trip to Hanko. Well, ladies and gentlemen, here is Kungsbacka's farm, Noark "miniature world" and a few pictures from Porvoo, in any case!

A beautiful sunset in Mäntsälä

LIVE UPDATE! Regards to my wife for noticing this. :)

Tour de Road 25: Påminne

This is actually between Billnäs and Fiskars Ironworks, but just to note that this trip wasn't just about rushing to take photographs about tourist attractions.. It's great fun to take a trip down the hill with a car that doesn't have anything but a steering wheel and a brake pedal (and safety belts, of course)! :)

Tour de Road 25: Billnäs & Fiskars Ironworks

On day #2 of this trip, it was - alas - already time to start heading home. I took yet another small detour (roads 104/111/186), to visit to very beautiful industrial sites that have some historical value.

These two are among the locations that have great historic importance regarding the development of iron industry in Finland. Especially Fiskars Corporation (founded 1649) is globally known by it's brands (among others): Fiskars, Iittala, Buster, Arabia, Hackman.

Fiskari is very beautiful area in the summer time.

Tour de Road 25: Hanko

My final destination for this trip. And for this city I would use phrasing "extremely beautiful", at least during the summer days. Too bad I didn't have a boat, nor time to take a cruise to visit the lighthouses - Bengtskär, Russarö and Gustafsvärn.

Oh yes - do notice my accommodation. :)

It's most amazing that this kind of place is just approx. 170-180 kilometers away from where I live, but it feels like I'm in a whole different country..

Tour de Road 25: Tammisaari (Ekenäs)

A very, very beautiful town in the summer time.. well worth stopping by.