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Today, we had a wonderful day here in Vuosaari. After weeks of darkness and snow the sun came out and I decided to make some pictures with my cell phone (as my new camera is still not delivered).

I think it is really interesting to see the Sea frozen, especially if you are from the South. However, in 2-3 weeks it is going to become warmer here in Finland. Really looking forward!

In 1996 & 1998, I spent a total of 11 wonderful weeks in Finland. I fell in love with the people, the food, the culture & the land.

When I am feeling especially "homesick" (several times/week!), I visit this website:

http://taivasalla.net/english/

I find Niklas' photos to be breathtaking. I hope you enjoy them, too.

Kay

One of the things that have impressed me the most has been the amazing natural heritage there’s here in Finland. The 70% of country’s territory is covered by endless extensions of greatly rich forests, unaccountable number of lakes (more than 187,000 they say), surprising wild inhabitants like elks or the less famous flying squirrels and of course the purest air you could ever get into your lungs.

It is obvious to think that one of the country’s most important industries is the wood and paper production one; representing around 30% of exportation's income. And it is exactly from the largest Finnish printing paper and other forest derivatives producer – also amongst the world's leading ones, that I have found this awesome website.

It’s an extraordinary piece of online communication, firstly because it meets several objectives at a time: to promote Finnish natural heritage, to evoke awareness about how to take care of our environment and over all – maybe the most important issue – it explains how to responsibly exploit forests; controversial topic nowadays, but this company has managed to complain strict sustainable forestry regulations, even the United Nations, Greenpeace and WWF endorsement.

Secondly because this web transports you to the very heart of an undiminished Nordic forest, explaining with an incredible high iconicity degree every single detail about wildlife. Unveiling secrets from the thousands of hiding natural processes happening ...

A thing that has really shocked me while walking on Helsinki streets has been the amount of cabriolet version cars. I remember over the Mediterranean coast whether being in Spain, France or Italy, convertible cars are a constant. It is really nice way to travel, enjoying the driving experience with some sun and fresh wind on your face.

But why in the hell should you buy a car which main characteristic and benefit can be enjoyed only very few days a year? OK. There have been some extraordinary electric-blue-sky sunny days during the last two months. But hardly someone will dare to open his car’s roof when outside maximum is 2º C.

Considering the length of winter, which effects are pretty extended in these latitudes, beginning in late September embracing autumn and going over a practically inexistent spring. The truly warm days – if we can call them like that since it is not guaranteed you will be able to wear t-shirt all day long – go from mid May to end of August on a good year. But you cannot count on it, since weather in Finland is totally unpredictable; you could find yourself using your roofless car only few days in June.

Does it worth? As far as I can see on the streets, it seems yes. The experience of rolling around on a convertible, feeling that sun only shines for you, acquires a fashionable new dimension on Scandinavian roads. Nourishing your lungs with impeccable forest’s essences or delighting your eyes with awesome starry ...

Walking around last weekend with our dog I found out what for non-Nordic people is a maximum curiosity. Igloo building still remains as a survival method for intrepid trekkers, mostly off touristic areas, because of course this doesn't mean normal people lives actually on this structures.

At the west bank of Helsinki's bay the Tapiola quarter emerges with one of the very firsts shopping centers opened on the 70's. It seems they are trying to attract more customers to this really old fashioned mall, and this weekend the main attraction was some "ice performances". Including ice sculpting, on the picture what the artist intended to create was a swan.

But the most intriguing thing was, so far, how to build an igloo. I always thought that you were suppose to cut the ice on big bricks and then put them one after another on the appropriate way to shape the curve structure. Totally wrong. I shot a video (unfortunately this blog doesn't allow to upload it ) that illustrates better how they use that kind of pivot - centrally anchored - and with the "brick builder" on the other side, where you should put some compacted snow. As it goes circling the house begins to get its characteristic shape, such easy!

Experts on the snow building art, Finns are famous for being able to build all kind of ice structures, from simple houses to the worldwide famous Ice Pubs and Ice Hotels. Recently even I heard about someone who managed to build another ...