30 July

It was wonderful to see Courtney, meet Alex and her friend Sarah. I also got to meet Alex's mum and dad, who are totally delightful.

When I arrived in Vaasa off the train, I discovered that my hip had gone out of joint - as I limped along, Alex and Courtney kindly took my bags in hand, and when we visited Alex's parents. Alex's dad was kind enough to give my hip and leg a massage. Thank goodness it, and the cushion under my hip that night put my hip back in because I needed my legs in full working order for the night out to come!

But first, Alex drove us out to old Vaasa, Old Vaasa was founded in 1606 by Charles IX of Sweden.

Unfortunately pretty much everything was destroyed in a great fire in 1852, leaving only the stone remains above.

After wandering there for while we drove out to the second longest bridge in Finland.

And in the evening, Courtney, Sarah and I hit the town.

We went to a bar which is for the 'older set'. Theoretically entry is limited to people over 25, but how could they resist the charms of my two gorgeous companions? The place would have been fantastic for my ego if I wasn't with these two, as, apart from them I was probably the youngest and skinniest girl there!

Still, we had heaps of fun. The dance music was fun, and there was a band performing who really got the party going. The lead singer fancied himself as a real rock star, and he definitely had groupies hanging off him. He immediately fell for Courtney and Sarah and flirted with them as much as possible. After the band stopped playing we did stop and have a drink with some of the musos, one of whom bought us a round of "fishermans". Fishermans is ummm... interesting. 30% alcohol, you drink it as a shot, and basically it is a highly alcoholic version of.. fishermans friends. Seriously! It is a true shock to the system, but I will give it credit for the fact that my breath felt very fresh after drinking it.

In the morning, well morning is a term used loosely, I flew back to Helsinki, bidding a temporary farewell to everyone, as I certainly hope to see them again soon!

29 July

Had a lovely time in Finland!

On arrival, I joined Aida at the Youth Hostel, and we headed off together in hunt for "the ice bar". Unfortunately we didn't find it, but we did settle down in another bar for a bit of dancing and chatting to some Finnish guys.

The next day we went off to see the 'rock church', which is quite a sight. This church is dug into the rock, with a copper roof suspended over the top.

and then on to the Finnish National Museum. There was much to be seen there..

16th century spoons	1600s bowl	renaissance jewells
1590s Nordic woman	15th century altar cloth	1450

As well as the later stuff, there was all sorts of Viking bits and pieces:

coin necklace	Copper coiled beadwork	cross necklace - the "new faith"

That evening, having been illuminated and educated, we decided to burn off a few brain cells by going out dancing. We found a great place called the Royal Onneli. We had met a gigantic Finnish man who was kind enough to buy our entry and our first drink. He was totally sweet and we were really happy to see him hook up with an equally lovely Finnish girl.

We danced until dawn.. oops, there wasn't really a dawn as the sun never set!

The next day Aida went in search of contemporary art, and I went window shopping - hoping to find a pair of black trousers that did not make me look like an oompah loompah (my current pants are looking downright silly). I had no success, but did enjoy a walk along the esplanade, and lunch by the water's edge. I did manage to buy myself a lightweight silk jacket for only 15 euros (thats about 25 Australian dollars).

In the evening, we hopped onto the night train to Rovaniemi. We forked out the dough for a sleeper, with our own bathroom, which was very natty. The wall of the bathroom moved across over the toilet to make a shower... very cool design.

Why were we going to Rovaniemi? To cross the Artic Circle. Yes its true, I actually crossed the Polar line and here is the photo to prove it. (note the oompah loompah pants)

Rovaniemi in Lapland is just next to the home of Santa's village and post office, the place where all the letters to Santa Claus go.

Aida and I did take a little canoo ride around Rovaniemi, confirming that like most of Finland, Rovaniemi is basically lakes and rivers and pine trees.

In Santa's village we got to see a reindeer, huskies and eat a lovely salmon meal served on a plank of birch:

The next day, Aida and I flew to Helsinki and parted ways. I stayed one night again in the hostel, and then hopped on the train to Vaasa to see my niece Courtney.

15 July

Well, its been a quiet month. Sort of. So far I have taught a cooking class for absolute beginners then followed that by dancing at the lake parade until 3.30am. Last weekend I partied on Friday night with "Greenhope" until 3.30am, and the next night headed to the Sindy beach party to dance until 2.

Next weekend I fly out to Finland for a week, meeting up with my friend Aida there. No idea what adventures will befall us, what we are going to do, what we are going to see, where we are going to stay. Its all good. (tee hee!) I do hope to catch up with my neice who is living in Finland nowadays to see how she is going.