Day 28: Turku to Vaasa

MAY 1 - Up early to chow down at the B&B smorgasbord. The train trip today, costing EUR 109, is two parts, with a transfer in Tampere. Pass some frozen lakes. A few plows are out, tilling the fields, but nothing is growing yet, see a few common cranes picking at the dirt. The more forested terrain gives way to flatter, more farmed land after Tampere. Arrive in Vaasa (Vasa in Swedish) around 14:00. Its another decent day, very cold wind but sunny.

A polite reminder on the train, in Finnish, Swedish, and English.

Today’s route: (A) Turku, (B) Tampere, and (C) Vaasa.

The main Evangelical Lutheran Church, in the town center.

At the seaside. We just assumed that someone was supposed to stand where the “I” should be.

Our only playground stop today. Finnish children are well bundled up this time of year, though I notice adolescents and adults are fairly casual about outdoor wear. The mom is wearing a hat associated with the graduation celebration that has been going on for the last week. I’ve seen many alumni wearing them the last few days.

The main Orthodox Church of Vaasa, located by an old military parade ground.

Vaasa is one of the most Swedish-influenced towns in Finland, with something like 35% of the inhabitants native Swedish speakers. Offshore is the Kvarken Archipelago, which is an emerging cluster of islands that exhibit all sorts of interesting glacial topography. Unfortunately, it is too early in the year to take boat tours. As with Turku, Vaasa was almost completely destroyed by fire (in 1852), so not many older buildings remain.

Too late to see museums today, and this means we won’t see any, as tomorrow (Monday) they are all closed.

Finland I