Thursday, August 5, 2010

Road Trip: Finland Style

Highlights from a weekend trip to Hanko, Tammisaari, and Fiskars in the southernmost part of Finland:
- Visited a real bunker from the war between Russia and Finland.  Nearly got lost in the woods due to missing ribbons (aka caution tape) along the path.  
- Edited museum brochures in English as necessary.   
- Coastal cities are really windy.  Especially when on the top of a water tower.
- Be prepared to be asked to leave the store if you're shopping right before closing time.  Just because you're a tourist, it doesn't mean that you'll be catered to.
- Fiskars is a lot more more than just scissors.  It's a really cute & scenic village to visit.
- Museum guides in Fiskars are friendly, and ensure that Finns don't misplace their American tourist friends.
- Finnish hares are big!  Bigger than Baron.
- Don't neglect music for the car, even if you aren't the driver. 
- Finnish eateries at rest stops provide real silverware and plates, not plastic and paper.  Not to mention real, balanced, not-fried meals. 
- Homer Simpson makes an unexpected, yet entertaining, road trip companion.


1 comment:

  1. Yes! And not to forget Homer Simpson's WOHOO, which almost (but only almost) can make up for the lack of road trip music.

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