ChristianB

This is one of three official recidences for the president of Finland. It was finnished in 1993 and so far three Finnish presidents have lived there, Mauno Koivisto, Martti Ahtisaari and the current president Tarja Halonen.

It’s really big and looks very different to say the least. It was designed by Reima and Raili Pietilä and has 4,210 m² of floor space. There’s 300 windows, 212 corners on the exterior and 190 doors (of which 180 are all individual). I’d really like to see that up close.

This place is okay, but if you want to eat at the restaurant you should order in advance. Note also that the whole group eats the same ordered meal. But the place in itself is smack in the middle of the Vaasa archipelago. That makes this a good destination during summer. It’s also open during winter, and you can actually walk there over the ice. It’s quite a walk by the way (there and back). And don’t walk alone over the ice. Ever.

Here’s the menu: http://www.jannensaluuna.com/menu.htm

I’m biased but it’s definately worth visiting the archipelago. But you need to know the right spots. And don’t expect the Terranova museum being the whole experience. You need to visit the actual places to experience this one. Take a trip by boat, rent a cabin or even better – paddle a canoe through the islands. You’ll get some help on how to do this through here: http://www.kvarkenguide.org/ (the site is in Finnish, Swedish, English and German).

This place is quite popular among people coming to party from the surrounding countryside and therefore you’ll hear a lot of Swedish in this pub. Quite often this pub has the best party atmosphere in town.

This place is truly a paradise in its’ own right, and it’s all thanks to the hostess Anki Lindeman who has nurturted the island according to her own taste buds. Everything you see, get, taste and experince feels original somehow – food (which Anki makes herself from local products), enviroment (which has a lot of hidden art work done by herself), buildings (the sauna is GREAT and very nicely located) and so on. It’s hard to explain, so you have to go there yourself to know why it’s a truly wonderful place. I mean, she serves you food on her own table in her own house. It all adds up to a very pleasent ambience, and nowadays the whole place resides within a UNESCO world nature heritage site which might tell you that the surroundings are something special. Just go there if you get the chance. But be sure to book in time. It’s quite popular I think. Also, you don’t have to spend the night. You can also arrange to just use the sauna for the day and have Anki make food for you. Everything can be arranged.

It’s been a while since I last visited Wasalandia. From what I understand this is a place for children under 14. Older than that and they will be bored to death. Small kids will have fun though. It’s quite expensive though as everybody pays for the entrance, after that (almost) everything is free.

prices (2006):
Adult or child taller than 120 cm: 17 €
Child, shorter than 120 cm: 12 €
Senior citizen: 6 €
Infant, younger than 24 months: Free

It might be interesting to know that Finnish Baseball is not just baseball played in Finland. It’s actually a separate sport from the baseball seen played in the US. It’s actually the national sport of Finland and it was developed by Lauri “Tahko” Pihkala around 1910-20. Learn a bit more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pes%C3%A4pallo

Vaasa has its own team called: Vaasan Maila (= The (baseball) bat of Vaasa). For you sports freaks out there it could be interesting to check out a game at the stadium in Hietalahti.

Tornionlaakso is only partly in Finland. Parts are in Sweden as well since it’s the valley where the Tornio river goes through and the river goes all along the border. There is a Council of Torne Valley where municipalities from both Finland and Sweden, and also Norway are members.

The Replot bridge is the longest bridge in Finland and it connects the Replot island with the mainland. It’s 1045 meters long and it was inaugurated in August 1997.

Restaurant Seglis is a summer restaurant in conjunction with Wasa Segelförening, which is one of Finlands oldest sailing societys (founded in 1878). The restaurant has been active in their current premises since 1908. There is a excellent view over the northern city bay towards the city from the restaurant.