Savonlinna and Kuopio are history, now for Oulu

Well, I made it to Kuopio by boat. A 10+ hour trip through a really scenic area. I never imagined being on a boat for that long, with such interesting scenery. Not that it varied much. Many, many small islands, some fairly large ones, and on occasion another boat, but not nearly as many as I thought we'd see. We went through several locks, but never went up or down by more than 2 or 3 metres at the most. I guess a cruise down the Mississippi (there are as many double letters in that as there are in many Finnish words) or Nile, or Rhine, or Danube, or Yellow or Yangtze might do it. I'll have to try one or all of those some day. Anyone want to come along?

Back to Savonlinna for a moment. I think I said the castle was on a small island, right next to the city, on another island. Even as cold as it gets here in winter, and I guess that's mighty cold, the water never freezes. The flow between the islands is sufficient to prevent freezing. I guess that's the case for all the narrows between these lakes. But the lakes themselves freeze over. The boat run I took to Kuopio just started running the Monday of this week.

I had a relatively short stay in Kuopio. Not really a lot to do there, but it was a nice, relaxing place. Stayed in a hostel about 2+ KM from town, so I took a taxi up there. Glad I did, as it was nearly all uphill. Not with a backpack and
suitcase in tow, thank you. Room was pretty nice. I wanted to stay another day, but they were filled up. Rather than try for another hotel for one nite, I headed on to Oulu.

One of the highlights of Kuopio was the museum, which I rather liked, as they had a handout for those of us not fluent in Finnish. A good bit of the area history , as well as a good bit on the Finnish wildlife. The museum was celebrating it's 100th anniversary, so there was also a special section on it's growth. The reason I wanted to stay another day was to see their "Historic Old Town". I didn't have time on Thursday. A reason to go back. Please note I've finally found the double quote key on these Scandinavian keyboards" "

The other highlite of Kuopio was the observation tower right next to my hostel. 75 metres high, with a rotating restaurant. Yes, I ate there, and made sure the meal lasted long enough for a full one hour rotation. Before the meal, one deck above, was the open air observation tower. Windy, but some fantastic views. And next to the tower was a huge ski jump. How long and tall, I forget, but nearly as high as the tower, and went down the hill a lot farther. I was told that in summer they run water on it, and skiers practice on that. No Thanks! But I would have liked to see someone try it--- and survive.

This AM when I looked for the breakfast, included with the room, I found they didn't serve it, as today is a national holiday, Midsummer Festival, or first day of summer to us ordinary folk. The instructions were to go to another hotel, which turned out to be down the hill, and up another. No thanks, as I was leaving and there was that luggage to contend with. And, due to the holiday, nothing was open in town either, other than a few mobile coffee stands. So breakfast was coffee and a Finnish version of a Danish.

Took the train to Oulu, just over 4 hours. Trains aren't much for scenery in Finland, unless you love seeing trees flash by. At least on the bus, the trees are cleared back a way from the road. On the train, they are right there. An occasional glimpse of a lake or farm, but not many. I think (you won't believe this) that I enjoyed the trip across the Nullarbor Plain in AU better. The view sure wasn't obstructed there.

And on the topic of AU; I met two on the boat from Savonlinna, and one more at the hostel. You Aussies are the easiest folks on earth to talk to.

That's about it for now. Nearly everything here is closed as well. Found a burger stand for lunch, and then, of course, found where all the action for the festival was. I'll head there for dinner tonite, right after I get this off. Which I think will be right now.