Travel Diary

It was another traveling day. We indulged in one final nice breakfast and then packed our bags and headed out. At the train station, we got tickets and headed north to the airport. We were not taking a flight, but renting a car. And what a tiny little car it was. It barely fit us and our bags, but in the end, got the job done just fine.

Andy was the driver and did great on the roads, which are built pretty much the same as the ones back home. To me, it didn’t seem all that different than the roads and scenery in the Pacific Northwest.

After driving a while, we parked in a garage in a small town called Porvoo.

It holds the nice feeling of a small town. We even crossed a bridge over a quaint river to enter. Everything was walkable and we headed into the main square. I wandered to the riverfront and got photos of a bridge and noticed many small handmade quilts hanging over the railings. I never did get that story.

We viewed an old church and the rustic streets and then stopped in a chocolate shop. I bought a few sweets and tucked them away in my bag. Next, we found an Irish pub and had a few beers. Andy, being the driver, had to bypass the booze and stick with soda.

Back on the road, we headed northeast and saw the expansive forests of Finland. At one point, we pulled over and I could see a lot of fresh wildlife growing. I wondered how much it survived the harsh winters and how much had to start over each spring.

After another hour, we reached Lappeenranta. It too was a smaller town. Our Google maps apps was handy in getting us there, but caused a small ruckus once we were in town as it had us driving down a road that was only for pedestrians. We realized this at the road’s end, but all the angry stares, shouts, and fist-shaking soon made a lot more sense. Oops. That did explain the lack of cars on it.

We checked into a hotel and then later met up with distant relatives that none of us had ever met. They were incredibly nice people who offered great insights into the city and culture. We went with them across the town and saw some very well-made sand sculptures. How they don’t wash away in the rain is mystery. And that no vandals destroy them is also refreshingly pleasing to know.

From there, we visited their apartment and had a nice meal. We drank beers, played guitar, and had a wonderful evening. Afterwards, we walked/stumbled home and saw the town as it looked at night.

It was actually my first late night since day two. Past 12am even!

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