In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Ten years after my visit to Beijing it was time to explore Shanghai and its surroundings. Travelling on your own in China is a great challenge and requires loads of pre-planning and bureaucratic arrangements. But it is also great fun to in a way already be on the road before you are actually there. Through …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
It was easy to arrive in Israel, but the departure was difficult. The domestic flight from Tel Aviv to Eilat caused a 3-hour interrogation, the domestic flight from Eilat to Tel Aviv caused another 3-hour interrogation and arriving in Tel Aviv the transfer to the international flight caused another 3-hour interrogation. Every time it all …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Already from the airplane’s window you can see the vast delta of the Irrawaddy river, where the capitol Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is situated. Small agricultural squares form a quilt of human presence. Before my flight my entering into the country by a transit visa was held with …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
If Paris is considered the most romantic city in the world, what should be said about the Austrian beauty? Maybe it is the incredibly beautiful scenery that actually lessen the romance, since you just stare at the wonders of nature instead of your partner? When the Alps tower the background of a calm, cold mountain …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Western Uusimaa is the region west of Helsinki, but south of the highway between Helsinki and Turku. My origins are from this region, which is famous for its old industry (foundries) and that there is a significant Swedish-speaking minority there. You reach the region best by train from Helsinki. The southernmost tip is the small …
Europe, Finland, food, travel, travel experiences, Western Uusimaa
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Helsinki is a beautiful city by the sea and you should really have a look at the coastline from one of the small archipelago cruise ships. During the summer months they will take you to see small, polished rock hills that stick up from the sea all around the coastline. But there are alternatives, and …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
My next three articles, to honor Finnish summer, will be about my three personal favorite regions for travelling in Finland. There will be some hints about hidden gems and how to work out trips to those places. My first article will be about Somero, where we have a summer cottage. Usually Finnish summer cottages are …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
For years I thought Turkey was a country where I would not return after two trips and three different diarrheas. My third trip to Istanbul was nevertheless wonderful, since the city has become cleaner and nicer and the food tastier! There should not be any other belly problems anymore except belly dancing! Furthermore, I visited …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
We visited Havana during the year of changes and it was obvious that the Cubans expected a lot of their future. Hopeful service suggestions show that they trust marketing also in socialist countries. A certain amount of pride was nevertheless visible among the workers. For me it was difficult to understand how a small, not …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Our trip to Seoul was a continuation on our trip to Japan, so in this article it is easy to compare South Koreans with the Japanese. The purpose is not to insult anyone. After a thoroughly tidy and clean Tokyo, Seoul seemed a little more human with some dirt and a little sour customer service, …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
For half a year I studied in Antwerp and got aquainted with wonderful Belgium, both Flemish north and Wallonian south. Incredibly beautiful Bruges and Ghent and the most beautiful market in Europe, Grand Place of Brussels, yes, why is this tourist country so often shadowed by its neighbours as an attractive destination? During my studies …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Despite quite quick and cheap flights to Japan it took several years before I gathered courage to visit the exotic country. Culture chock, expensive travel and complicated travel arrangements discouraged me too long, but nothing of this seemed to be a problem in the end. It was easy to eat local food and plenty for …
A substantial part of your travel experience is of course local food. Some travelers are looking for the cheapest possible food costs, so here is my advice to restaurants that look for those travelers: keep your prices low and advertise in budget hostels. Likewise to those who focus on wealthy tourists looking for gourmet experiences: …
In English,Maa Country Land,Yleinen
Part of this article is based on a Balkan roundtrip in April, but some parts are from other trips in the region. Since Balkan is homogenous and still extremely diverse, I decided upon this common article as well. In April, there are less tourists but with luck can be as warm as in summer. In …
