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It was March 1989, and the Red Army was patrolling the streets of Tallinn. It was right during the “Baltic Revolt”, when the Estonians were declaring their independence. So it was rough, but we managed not to be stopped at a checkpoint, and visited some a high school while there. It was illegal to fly the national flag too, the old Soviet Estonian flag was still flying in downtown, but the tricolor “sinina, must ja valga” was flying atop “Tall Herman”. We stayed at the Viru Hotel. What a cool time it was! And we met the Estonian resistance at this pub in the old town, and had pizza and beer and sang songs, but did not understand a word! Okay, I’ve been there a total of 3 times now, and cannot wait to return. Okay, along with Finland, this country changed my life.

Nokia. Indoor tropical resort. Midnight sun. Ice. Islands. Sauna….some cool pubs too. And nice people. Good music.

It’s about a 8 – 10 hour roundtrip up to the summit and back down to Ft. William. But worth it, you can see the Irish Sea and the east end of Loch Ness from there. Snowy too. enjoy!

Raahe is a small industrial port on the Bay of Bothnia, beautiful artwork and music, trails, arts and crafts too. Friendly people too.

Located on the Arctic Circle, Arctic Culture Museum and of course Santa’s Village.

Finland is just the greatest place on Earth, and Finnish is a wonderful language too.