Having the sun shining 24/7

Somehow it's strange, but I got used to it easily - no real night, having light 24 hours 7 days a week. During summer, it's the best thing that could happen. Sun is going down at midnight, rising again at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. Thus, I am kinda scared of the Finnish winter...

Midsummer cycling through South-Finland

Midsummer - greatest event in Finland and everyone is looking forward to it since weeks, planning their trip to the summer cottage with the family or some friends. And why that? Having a good time, being drunk 5 times a day, the whole weekend, including Friday. Pretty strange, but that's all about it.

Vanajavesi in Hämeenlinna

I had some add ons planned. Taking the bike and leaving Helsinki (It seemed to be a dead city, empty highways and streets, everyone had left already!) on Friday early morning I was heading north. Weather conditions couldn't be any better - nicely hot! I was going as far as Tampere that day, finding a place to sleep  in the middle of nowhere, somewhere on a field close to Suomatka (point B). I set up my air mattress and sleeping bag, but those mosquito beasts have been quicker. I got myself covered completely and put on some insect repellent. That kept them on distance, but they still were so much annoying. I used the ear plugs and that gave me some sleep...

Summer cottage and barbecue at Kiesimenjärvi

On Saturday I was going to Mänttä (point C) before Torsten was picking me up by car. We reached Paajala within one hour, making ourselves at home at the barbecue, tried some fishing in the Kiesimenjärvi and had some beers, just following the (Finnish) midsummer tradition.

Sunsets are taking forever during midsummer days

On the way back we were stopping by in Tampere, for a one hour walk around through the city. Not much to offer, really not, I have to say. Kinda disappointing. At least, we were at home on time :D

Sitting in Näsinpuisto, Tampere

Just taking the ferry to an other country

Right after work on a Friday, I was heading towards the ferry terminal and taking this two hour ride to Tallinn, the Estonian capital. It was pretty busy on the ship, especially the duty free shop was crowded. Prices were still high, but definitely less than on the finnish main land. That means, people were there for either getting back to Estonia (a few) or getting drunk (most of them).

Together with Frenky and Torsten, I stayed at another colleague's place in outter Tallinn - nice and cozy apartment in the right street called Aiandi :D I just have one comment to Friday evening: The Estonians know how to drink, and how to open bottles (it's just not necessary to close them again)!!!

I started with a little hangover, the next day. Breakfast helps! And a little walk around in the old Tallinn city centre. Pretty cool - narrow streets, some churches and kathedrals built in the common Russian-Orthodox style, filled with lots of tourists. We were not the only ones. After a good dinner we spent the night in numerous bars in clubs, excellent stuff.

So guess what - there was not so much happening on Sunday. Just being sunburned on the ferry back to Finland.

EstLink2 Converter Stations

I've got some news from the working point of view as well. As I am living in Helsinki, it takes approx. 40 minutes to get to site, which means having another rest for a while - we have two cars and commonly I am not the driver. Still, it's pretty much a construction site. But work is going well, so far. Additionally, I've found the EstLink2 commercial video on youtube. It explains nicely what the project is all about :)