"Finland, Finland, Finland..." (Finland)

Member Name: pintjug

Product:	Finland
Date:	30/08/01 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Forests, Lakes, Saunas

Disadvantages: Not recommended if you like the city life

Finland is a country of extremes... in the summer there is sun all night, and in the winter thick snow and almost permanent darkness. The local population are known for being quiet and reserved, and yet if you get to know them they are extremely open and friendly.
The countryside is vast and unspoilt with wide lakes and thick forests. In some areas you will find well marked trails with "wilderness huts", where you can spend the nights. In other areas, you may find yourself lost for days without seeing any sign of civilisation if you leave the road! There is very little polution and so you will find many wonderful wild mushrooms and berries growing in the forests (make sure you are with someone who can tell the wonderful from the deadly poisonous). In the marshes of Lappland grow strange cloudberries - these look like yellow raspberries and are quite sour, but when sweetened they have a taste like honey and are made into the most wonderful liquer called Lakka. Other culinary delights include the freshest salmon you have ever tasted and smoked reindeer (just try not to think of Rudolf).
The main things Finland has brought to the world have been Nokia and saunas. Nokia is by far the biggest industry in the country (and most of the smaller ones seem to do contract work for it too). You will find it easy to keep in touch with your new Finnish friends as they all have mobile phones. The rumour that in Finland saunas outnumber the population is probably true. Most houses (and even one bed flats) will have there own sauna, and it is very common for Finns to own a cottage in the country where a sauna (and preferably a nearby lake to jump into) is essential. For the full experience, make sure you have someone on hand to gently whip you with birch twigs while you sweat!
If peace, quiet and beautiful countryside is what you are after then Finland may very well be the country for you.

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