Finland is not like Europe. They are in the EU, but they have trees, open spaces, and new buildings. It reminded us of Raleigh, NC! We visited the Baarmans. Some of you may remember that Mika and Magnus have visited us a few times over the years.

We stayed in their house outside of Helsinki, and we went to their island on the Baltic sea. We also spent a day in Helsinki (shopping) and a day in Estonia. We took a neat boat across the Baltic to Talin, Estonia. The boat raises up out of the water on skiis. It was a bumpy ride. We crossed the Baltic in about an hour and a half, which is about half the time of the ferry.

The best thing that I saw in Finland was a family of wild moose in a field along the beltline of Helsinki! DOH! No camera! Mika said that was a pretty rare event, but that they do sometimes find their way into the city. They have moose fences along much of the freeway.

The kids especially loved visiting Finland - the pictures will show why:


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We also did the sauna - they are everywhere! The Baarmans have one in their home and on the island. Mika has one in his apartment house. Here's the sauna routine on the island:

First you split the wood for the stove (wood burning sauna on the island). Then you let it heat up for an hour - to around 180 degrees F. You then go in (naked) and sweat. They sometimes bring in these branches that you hit yourself with. You dip them in water and slap them over your back and sides. It feels pretty good. You stay in as long as you can stand the heat and then you go immediately outside and jump in the sea. Torre said that they roll in the snow in the winter! We were only jumping in the water on 68 degree F evenings, and the water was cold! It takes your breath away. After a minute, the water starts to feel warm - and after a few more minutes, you start to feel cool again. It then feels warm when you get out! Anyway, you now go and do the whole thing over again. After a few rounds you feel good and tired - then it's time for sausages!