FINNISH SWAMP

Buenos días!

I got to experience the longest day of the year in Finland. We traveled with my boyfriend to spend the Mid Summer in my home province, Kainuu. I wanted to show the most tradicional Finnish summer. The experience was extraordinary. My culture completely seperates from his. 

I publish another post later describing the Finnish Mid Summer.

Pääsin kokemaan vuoden pisimmän päivän Suomessa. Matkustimme poikaystäväni kanssa viettämään Juhannusta kotipaikkakunnalleni, Kainuuseen. Halusin näyttää kaikista perinteisimmän suomalaisen kesän. Kokemus oli uskomaton. Näytin kulttuuriani, joka eroaa täysin hänen omastaan. 
Julkaisen toisen postauksen meidän Juhannuksesta myöhemmin.

On the second day of our trip I showed some Finnish nature and we decided to go to an old camping site nearby the border of Russia called Laahtanen. We took a little hike around the lake surrounded by swamp and forest. After that we did some fishing and ate by a campfire. I got an opportunity to use a professional camara and in this post you cn see the result.

Reissumme toisena päivänä näytin Kianuun luontoa soineen ja metsineen. Menimme Laahtaselle, joka on lähellä Venejän rajaa. Teimme n. 2km kävelyn järven ympäri ja kalastimme.  Sain mahdollisuuden käyttää ammattikameraa, jonka tulokset näet tässä postauksessa. 

Between 20-22th of June is the longest day of the year. In Finland it was the 21st of June this year which means that in the Lapland the sun doesn't set at all. We traveled all the way to the Center East of Finland where the sun sets but it doesn't get dark. This was something totally new to a foreigner. To me it was something I've been missing in Spain.  To me there is nothing as beautiful and pure in the world as Finnish nature! Nothings beats the Finnish summer! I love Spain but my heart belongs to the far north. 

20-22 Kesäkuuta on vuoden pisin päivä Kauriinkääntöpiirillä. Suomessa se oli tänä vuonna 21.6. Tällöin Lapissa aurinko ei laske ollenkaan, ja Kainuussakaan ei tule täysin pimeää. Tämä oli jotain ennen näkemätöntä ulkomaalaiselle. Itse olen kaivannut tätä Espanjassa ollessani. Mielestäni ei ole mitään niin kaunista tai puhdasta kuin Suomen luonto. Mikään ei voita Suomen kesää! VIihdyn Espanjassa, mutta sydämeni kuuluu kauas Pohjoiseen. 

I hope you enjoyed the photo splash, see you next time!

xxx -millamartta

HOLIDAYS PT. 2 / Porto - Portugal

Since I moved to Barcelona I hadn't travelled outside of Catalunya, besides the wee trip to Finland last year. Taking an advantage of my holidays I decided to go anywhere but somewhere! Unfortunately due the short notice all the flights were too pricey. So I called a friend to join me and bought the cheapest flights I could find. Destination: Porto, the second most important city in Portugal

The city center is divided in two main parts: the old town and the newer commercial area. By the first day we discovered the old town while the weather was chilly. Grey sky shadowed the city view and made it look dull. Small streets were filled with smell of mold. You mainly met only tourists in the old town.

The second day we managed to have a beautiful sunny day and we saw the city in a different light. You could see the pretty in the ugly. We rented bikes and cycled by the coast all the way to the beach. While reaching the Pacific ocean, beaches and outdoors we started to enjoy Porto and had the best day of our trip. Matosinhos Beach was so wide with plenty of surfers and the smoothest sand I've seen. Would've loved to dib in the Pacific Ocean but we were with cold.

Portugal was a new country to me of which I had no pre-opinion. I went kinda blindfolded. The city surprised me and I found myself with controversial opinions. I assume that the past recession and Portugal's economic problems were in sight especially in the old town. Although it seems like the country is recovering from it as many buildings were under reconstruction. Portugal is said to be a trendy destination at the moment and for sure there were plenty of tourists. Tourism is important to any city in the world! Would like to revisit Porto in few years to see how much has changed within the years

I definitely recommend to visit Porto atleast once! It's a different destination and has a lot to offer with low pricing. The beach and coast line are the gems of the city. Rent a bike and go for a day trip to the beach. The city is a dream for a photographer.

That's all for now folks! Going to a trip to Finland in few days and will be writing about it next time!




See you soon
xxx -millamartta

HOLIDAYS PT 1. / Tossa De Mar

Good Day!

Going back to daily basis after vacationes is never easy. That's why is nice to look back and remember those beautiful moments. I'd like to share a recap of my holidays I spent on May. I'll post it in 2 parts.

The first week I spent in Catalunya. By the weekend we drove to Tossa de Mar. We had rented a little bungalow for one night by the Mediterranean. We had some bad luck with the weather at first but when the sun popped out after the rain we took the most of it by the beach. Some good relaxing time off from the city. Barbaque, beach and outdoors = a perfect getaway.

We basically spent the weekend so well that I didn't want to return to the city. Although it's always nice to come back home. More exciting trips coming up within the next months so won't get bored. 

The camping is called Camping Cala Llevado placed in the Middle of Lloret- and Tossa de Mar. There's place for caravans and tents. Besides they offer 2 to 6 size bungalows. The location is peaceful with a stunning beach. We went before the high season so were able to enjoy lower pricing. During June-September the prices will be more or less 80€/night in a bungalow for 2. The campsite wasn't pakced and we were able to stay in peace. Most of the guests were tourists. 

I would recommend this place if you wish to have a relaxing getaway from the city by the beach. It's a great place for families and couples.  

You can find more info about the camping from: http://calallevado.com/en/home.html

Until the next time!
xxx -millamartta