Tomorrow I'm going for a caver's association meeting in Rokokallio, Vihti. I've been there before. Actually several times, and I have an unfinished mapping project to complete...
Full story
July 2020
Pääluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Hiotun kiven luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Päällysluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Päänuotiopaikan luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kallionkololuola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kivenalusluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Syvä halkeamaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Toinen nuotiopaikan luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kivenalusluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Halkeamaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kahden kolon luola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Lippaluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
Time for a swim in the sea?
Full story
July 2020
Karhusaarenranta, Karhusaari, Espoo, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Sea,Beach)
One more swim! This time I headed to a place that I've always dreamed about but never visited for some reason. Finnträsk is in Sarfvik, just along my bike or car route to work.
Full story
July 2020
Finnträsk, Sarfvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Nature)
Tuesday's swim was at the Nupuri lake. There's no official swim spot, and I thought I'd not find a place to get to the water, given all the water plants on the shores. But then there was an opening, a small rowing boat harbour...
Full story
July 2020
Venepaikka, Nupurinjärvi, Nupuri, Espoo, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Nature)
Lippajärvi has a nice sandy beach swimming place. But I wanted something more private, and with less people. After some map browsing, I discovered that there's a short walking path behind the memory illness hospital. Maybe there's something there? A forgotten beach?
Full story
July 2020
Lippajärven salainen laituri, Lippajärvi, Espoo, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
It is cold today and raining heavily. But I made a plan to go out for a swim every day.
Full story
July 2020
Gallträsk, Kauniainen, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
Another swim! In heavy rain, but hey, not too bad. The water is warm. In Myllyjärvi, north of lake Bodom and south of lake Sorvalampi.
Full story
July 2020
Myllyjärven luonnonranta, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland*; Myllyjärven uimaranta, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland**
Swimming* (Outdoor); Hiking**
On my way to swimming in Myllyjärvi, I noticed a bouldering cliff, with an overhang. Quite a spectacular roof cave, maybe 35 meters long and 4-5 meters deep.
Full story
July 2020
Myllyjärven lippaluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic)
Another evening, another swim. Trying to find a crowds-free and virus free swimming places in the hot Finnish summer :-)
Full story
July 2020
Kattilajärven luonnonranta, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland*; Kattilajärven uimaranta, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland**
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Nature)*; Hiking**
The day was nice, very sunny. I worked hard... and wanted a swim on a remote, uncrowded lake or pond in the evening. Of course, by the time I left home in the evening it was already dark and raining :-)
Full story
July 2020
Sorvalampi rocks, Sorvalampi, Espoo, Finland*; Sorvalampi beach, Sorvalampi, Espoo, Finland**
Swimming* (Outdoor); Hiking**
The new Grottan magazine came in mail. Grottan is the magazine for Sweden's Caver's Association, published I think four times a year.
Full story
July 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None,Media)
Parking practice between tightly parked cardboard boxes. Front, back, parallel. Oh and the Volvo has been running nicely for ALMOST THREE DAYS by now.
Full story
June 2020
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Skiing
I was a bit busy among picking up groceries, work in the yard, and fetching some medicines for the kids that I almost had no time to celebrate midsummer on the eve. But, I did get a chance to put in a very nice swim!
Full story
June 2020
Jupperinranta, Kuninkainen, Espoo, Finland*; House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland**
Swimming* (Outdoor); Sauna**
Whoa, the repair guys at Latokaske's Tiikeritarha really pulled a miracle this time. The cost was only 190€, despite estimate of 700€ and a mid-way statement that "they've run into issues". I was expecting at least a 1000€....
Full story
June 2020
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
I'm told that the Volvo works. Now dreading to go inside to learn about the bill. Any guesses?
Full story
June 2020
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
This isn't a busy place. In fact, on my first visit I didn't see a single person on my way in through one terminal and half-way on the walkway to the other one where I needed to pick up a rental car.
Full story
June 2020
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Flying; Travel
As I was driving back from Ylläs, I came across an odd sign about Pakasaivo, which translates roughly to "Frozen Brain". What was it? I had to stop and look it up. Soon I was driving the tiny 11-kilometer road to go see it.
Full story
June 2020
Pakasaivon pieni kivenkolo, Pakasaivo, Muonio, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic); Hiking
After the clutch broke, I felt the situation is critical.
Full story
June 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car; Biking (Outdoor,Bike-Road,Track-Road,Track-City,Equipment)
Oops, fluids have left the clutch.
Full story
June 2020
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
Volvo is helping the next generation to drive. Or at least get used to gears, clutch and the works before entering the real driving school. First parking by the soon 18yo: car could be more center perhaps but no walls were hit. Success :-)
Full story
June 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
My earlier post was about data sources for finding new caves. I've now been reading the Suomen Lohkareet (the book of boulders in Finland) book, and it is great.
Full story
June 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None,Research)
Onkalonperä means "the backside of a hole". Fortunately, not "hole in the backside"! I saw this as I was driving towards Ylläs. I don't know anything about it, but are there are any holes or caves in that village? Maybe worth investigating...
Full story
June 2020
Onkalonperän risteys, Simo, Finland
Caving (None)
I decided to do my own Ylläs 24 event, to replace the one cancelled in April. It is already June, not a lot of snow remains. But some, and what a wonderful sunshine for the entire 24 hours - midnight sun was shining, as Ylläs is far above the arctic circle.
Full story
(TGR version)
June 2020
Ylläs, Finland
Skiing
Haavikkolehto - a protected site with many boulders left by the ice age - is also very interesting from caving perspective. Likely not everything here has been found. But the most spectacular cave is known from this Retkipaikka article.
Full story
May 2020
Haavikkolehdon karhukiven luola, Suonenjoki, Finland; Haavikkolehdon karhukiven luolan sivulohkareluola, Suonenjoki, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic,Surveying)
I'm looking for caves... not for bears. But heard some growling and saw some big piles of sh*t, so decided to do a roundabout tour to return to the car.
Full story
May 2020
Ryömittävä lippaluola, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland*; Kololuolanen, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland*; Korkea lippaluola, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland*; Pieni kulmalippaluolanen, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland**; Pieni lippaluolanen 1, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland**; Pieni lippaluolanen 2, Mustikkamäki, Nilsiä, Finland**
Caving* (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic); Hiking**
Wow. Three closed ski areas on one day. 500 kilometers of driving, though, on this avoid-contact-with-others trip.
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Himos, Jämsä, Finland; Kasurila, Siilinjärvi, Finland; Tahko, Finland
Skiing
What a wonderful experience, hiking up the 200 meters high ski hill in deserted Tahko, in sunshine. And taking a sunset ski run back to the lake, almost all of it on still preserved snow.
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Tahko, Finland*; Tahkolahden ranta, Tahko, Finland**
Skiing*; Swimming** (Outdoor)
Yay, a delivery! I got the third book in the series of cave, canyon, and boulder books from Tuomo Kesäläinen and Aimo Kejonen! Very excited to read this as well!
Full story
June 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None,Media,Research)
Röylä. A place with an ugly name and no one with interest to visit there? Not so. The forests are quite big, and full of cliffs, and indeed, no one goes there so one gets to hike alone :-)
Full story
May 2020
Röylän halkeamaluolanen, Röylä, Espoo, Finland**; Röylän lippakolonen, Röylä, Espoo, Finland*; Röylän siirtolohkareluolanen, Röylä, Espoo, Finland***
Hiking*; Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic,Surveying); Caving*** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic,Surveying)
I go hiking on a different spot on most days, as my evening exercise. This time in Kaupunginkallio, Espoo.
Full story
May 2020
Kaupunginkallion halkeamakolo, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
Skiing in the summer takes waxing skill. But, this time I think I managed it.
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing
Tiny cavelets on my evening walk again.
Full story
May 2020
Högabergetin siirtolohkare, Espoo, Finland*; Högabergetin lohkareluolanen, Espoo, Finland**; Högabergetin kalliolippaluolanen, Espoo, Finland***
Hiking*; Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic); Caving*** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic)
The Volvo is running fine, although not very much, drive only a bit every second day or say. And today I've started hearing some odd noise... and now I'm a bit worried.
Full story
May 2020
Högabergetin siirtolohkare, Espoo, Finland
Car
During the quarantine, I've taken up trying to hike almost every day. It turns out that I can go within just a few kilometers from home and still end up in areas that I've not been to before. The forests not marketed as the hottest hiking areas, etc. And almost every time, there are some tiny rock holes that one could call "cavelets".
Full story
May 2020
Gåskärrin lohkareluola, Gåskär, Espoo, Finland*; Gåskärrin lippaluolanen, Gåskär, Espoo, Finland**
Caving* (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic); Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic)
I was sure that the season is over. Then... it started snowing.
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
Now THIS is really the last snow. Two meter long snow patch left... it will be gone by tomorrow. Skied the slope, nevertheless :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Snow,Grass)
Tero and I went to Vihti to see if we could still ski it. Vihti is the best, much snow left! A few parts not covered in snow, but one can ski through them!
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing (Snow,Grass)
Today's exercise was an excursion to Kattilajärvi, which was reported to have interesting cliffs. There were a couple of small caves and two interesting roof caves.
Full story
May 2020
Kattilajärven iso lippaluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven kallion lippaluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven kalliokolo, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven pieni lippaluola 1, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven pieni lippaluola 2, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Kattilajärven pieni lippaluola 3, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic)
Research pays off! I wanted to explore more boulder caves, but where to find boulders? I kept looking for data, and it turns out the geologic research institute had made a listing of the most valuable boulder fields in Finland. One of them was nearby, in Nuuksio, so I headed out to investigate on Sunday. No caves had been listed at that spot, but the report already made some promises about cave-like holes between the rocks. And a 50 meters wide and 10 meters deep field! I was hooked. Although it turned out the location was listed after all in the book of cave in Finland (albeit with a different name).
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Katajasuon kivikon pääluola, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Katajasuon kivikon luola 1, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Katajasuon kivikon luola 2, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Katajasuon kivikon sivuluola 1, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland; Katajasuon kivikon sivuluola 2, Nuuksio, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic,Surveying)
Niko Nordström's art appears throughout the forests of Kauniainen. This chainsawed tree stump seems appropriate for today.
Full story
May 2020
Star Wars veistos, Kauniainen, Finland
Other
For May 1st, I also wanted to see if I could add Kauniainen to the map with regards to having mapped caves.
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Kauniaisten koululuola 1, Kauniainen, Finland*; Kauniaisten koululuola 2, Kauniainen, Finland**; Siirtolohkareluola 1, Kauniainen, Finland*
Caving* (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic,Surveying); Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic,Surveying)
Wappu. There's still plenty of snow for a ski run in Vihti.
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2020
Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing
One headlight is always on. Even when the car is parked. The other is always off, even when driving. Sigh.
Full story
May 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Still in quarantine! So, I'm hiking in a forgotten forest in Kirkkonummi. And found two caves that aren't listed in any of the cave books. One roof cave, visited by climbers for the overhang. But the other one I liked a lot. It is small, but much cave-like, dark, and with a very tight entrance :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Goddarsbölebergenin lippaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Goddarsbölebergenin luola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Goddarsbölebergenin kolmiokolo, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Goddarsbölebergenin pieni lippaluolan kaltainen kalliojyrkänne 1, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Goddarsbölebergenin pieni lippaluolan kaltainen kalliojyrkänne 2, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic,Surveying)
Downgrade your skis, and your ski season will become longer!
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
It is the end of days. A meltdown, of the snow on the local ski hill.
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
Now THAT may have been the last run of the season.
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
Jukka performed a search on cave references from the database of the Finnish National Board of Antiquities during our recent virtual meet-up. He came up with a reference to a potentia cave in Espoo that none of us had heard about. Yesterday I went to look for it...
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Johannesbergetin halkeamalaluola, Espoo, Finland*; Johannesbergetin lippaluola 1, Espoo, Finland**; Johannesbergetin lippaluola 2, Espoo, Finland**; Johannesbergetin siirtolohkareen alusluola 1, Espoo, Finland***
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic); Caving* (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic); Caving*** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
One more skiing run? Why not. Also, I have not been to Swinghill in Nuuksio yet this winter. So Tero and I decided to go see if we could ski it. While staying far enough apart to not infect each other :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Swinghill, Espoo, Finland
Skiing
No, it is not a rat. It is a Swedish caver's magazine. Grottan is cave in Swedish.
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None,Media)
Another caver's club virtual meeting! Nice! Since the others played around with nice picture backgrounds, I decided to have a background of my own: in a cave in Korkberget, Kirkkonummi.
Full story
April 2020
Korkbergetin lohkareluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Pieni lippaluola 1 pohjoiskärjessä, Korkberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Pieni lippaluola 2 pohjoiskärjessä, Korkberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Social)
My best caving light broke down last week on a nightly skiing excursion. I measured it and determined that the likely culprit was broken battery. Today the mail delivered a spare battery, and I installed and voilá, the light works again! Happy about not having to look for a new light.
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (Equipment)
The official statistics are in: in southern Finland, the thermal winter lasted only five days. But, I should note that first of May and the Midsummer are still ahead of us.
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
I did *not* have anything to do with this. Really.
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
It's a snow day! We can stay home! ... Oh... wait
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
It still wasn't the last run of the season! Vihti rules!
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing
As I visiting Vihti anyway, I also wanted to see something abandoned, something not likely to have other people. I found an abandoned railway car in the middle of the forest.
Full story
April 2020
Hylätty junanvaunu, Vihti, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Vehicles)
Time-division multiplexing; reserving a time slot for different entities. A telecommunications concept that can also be useful for skiing in the virus-infested world. With too many people going about during the day, I wanted to isolate myself by going to the ski hill at 1am. It was great, but I also had some equipment breakage.
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
I wanted to go skiing with my friend Jarmo. But, the dangers of infecting others... Fortunately, we found a solution: skiing at the same time on two separate slopes.
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Skiing
For the last three years, the highlight of my caving year has been the fun, warm, and social camping week at the Lummelunda cave in Gotland. Sadly, I just received a cancellation for the flights to Gotland, due to the virus. I think this year's caving week is therefore cancelled.
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None)
Today's good news is that my insurance company paid the expensive medicine I've started taking this year, costing around 6000€ per year. Usually in Finland the medical costs are negligible but this drug is not yet on the list, yet it is at least slightly better. Timely positive news, given all the economic worries in the world plus my house loan and the teenager's costs :-) Now if I could only find an insurance company to cover for the unexpected maintenance costs from the Volvo ... :-)
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Today I woke up and saw that it was sunny... warm, almost 10 degrees even at 9am. A busy day ahead, but I thought I'd go for a brief ski run while taking the first conference call.
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
100 years ago, Frans Stockmann (Nov 1920) and his wife (Apr 1919) died in Spanish Flu. Their house project in Kauniainen was left unfinished, and remains as ruins in the forest. Today, in April 2020, lack of sales due to the Coronavirus, the famous Stockmann department store has applied for protection from its creditors ("yrityssaneeraus" in Finnish, roughly equivalent to Chapter 11 in US).
Full story
April 2020
Stockmannin rauniot, Kauniainen, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Buildings,Ruins)
Bunker... in Jorvas. With a ladder leading down a tight concrete shaft. How could I resist?
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Sähköaseman bunkkeri, Masala, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
I realised last week that I need exercise, and sunshine. Today's exercise was to go caving in Kirkkonummi. But I didn't want to visit places that other people would likely be in. So I took the approach of visiting forest areas where there have been NO caves listed.
Full story
April 2020
Masalan siirtolohkareen luolanen, Masala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Nägelsin siirtolohkareen luolanen, Hirsala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Nägelsin lippaluolanen 1, Hirsala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Nägelsin lippaluolanen 2, Hirsala, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Nägelsin halkeamaluolanen, Hirsala, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic)
What a wonderful experience - forced to not not have in-person meetings, all kinds of organizations are realising that their meetings *can* be done over network connections, and that the results are often better. We just had a caver's meet-up in Finland, and we chatted longer -- six hours -- than we ever have and had many more people participate than before.
Full story
April 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None,Social)
Another day, another conference call, another ski run
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
I don't often quarantine myself, but when I do, I do it next to a ski slope.
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
The last run of the season, under an increasingly tight lockdown. No police barricades were bypassed when making this video, though. And no people approached closer than the 100 meter social distancing limit.
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
The Keflavik airport in Iceland had a very beautiful roof.
Full story
March 2019
Keflavik airport, Keflavik, Iceland
Flying
Back in the pre-Covid world, I had order cheap Black Friday for a quick stop in Israel, to collect yet another country for skiing. Yes, you can ski in Israel, at Mount Hermon on the border towards Syria and Lebanon. The trip turned out to be apocalyptic both because of the virus and impending world shutdown, but also because of skiing on an area that was just recently a war zone, and near the borders. Got told by the solders multiple times to not continue further.
Full story
(TGR version)
February 2020
Mount Hermon, Israel
Skiing
An hour and half from Sofia lies the Prohodna Cave. This is a massive and easy-to-visit cave for everyone, including busloads of tourists. And who wouldn't want to look at the Eyes of God?
Full story
(TGR version)
September 2019
Prohodna Cave, Karlukovo, Bulgaria; Prohodna Cave side caves 1, Karlukovo, Bulgaria; Prohodna Cave side caves 2, Karlukovo, Bulgaria; Prohodna Cave side caves 3, Karlukovo, Bulgaria; Prohodna Cave side caves 4, Karlukovo, Bulgaria
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
Massive cities carved inside rock towers. Luxury hotels carved inside cliffs. Sometimes a bad weather closure day can lead to interesting other things. I'm glad we got to visit Cappadocia, Turkey.
Full story
(TGR version)
February 2020
Göreme Open Air Museum, Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
Caving (Rock,Man-Made)
Check-up formally cleared! Now I can drive a year with this thing, nothing more can break!
Full story
March 2020
Herttoniemen Autokatsastus, Espoo, Finland
Car
What a shitty bunker! Literally.
Full story
February 2020
Abandoned bunker, Mount Hermon, Israel
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
It really was the last trip... for a while.
Full story
March 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Travel
One particularly interesting thing about Mount Hermon were the military installations. Many of them. in active use, but also many that had been abandoned or that lay in ruins.
Full story
February 2020
Abandoned watchtower, Mount Hermon, Israel
Urban-Exploration (Towers,Military); Skiing
Having been delayed, rerouted, and cancelled umpteen times, we spent a short night sleeping on the benches of the new Istanbul airport. But our eventual flight turned out to be in the next evening, so we asked for a hotel room for the day.
Full story
February 2020
Novotel Istanbul Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
Sauna
My main requirement for our hotel in Kayseri was that it should have a sauna... which is fortunately quite likely in Turkey.
Full story
February 2020
Holiday Inn, Kayseri, Turkey
Sauna
As we returned from the skiing in Israel, I wanted to stop at a cave in Israel. Most of the show caves are closed in the winter, but there should be enough natural caves to visit, right? Not so... we failed to enter the ones we found for various reasons.
Full story
February 2020
Пещера, Tiberias, Israel
Caving (None)
I have now put up all my Finnish cave maps at the Planetcaver site. There's maps for 34 different caves, almost all of which are in the Kirkkonummi area. A few maps are in the works.
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None)
Despite one diversion, one unplanned return to origin, one cancellation, and one delay, our ski bags arrived in Kayseri. What a miracle in the airline system!
Full story
February 2020
Kayseri Airport, Kayseri, Turkey
Travel; Flying
While coming back from the grocery store, I swing by the local ski hill in Kauniainen. To my amazement, they were up and running, with a bit more than half of the slope covered by snow.
Full story
March 2020
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
Somewhere behind the wheel are the new working, unrusted brakes and suspension. Estimate was 300€, actual bill 1300€. Apparently many hours of work to remove the old junk.
Full story
March 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
My Volvo went to the shop today to fix the repairs that were ordered. Wish me and my wallet luck.
Full story
March 2020
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
Ha! Skibag returned home. It got left behind last Wednesday evening as we were leaving for Israel, due to a baggage handler strike in Helsinki.
Full story
March 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
This is how great my fix to the bulbs was. Came off while driving. Twice. #greatmechanic
Full story
February 2020
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
It blinks again! Only had to change the 29-year old detoriating relay. And take apart half car to get to that relay :-) #volvo
Full story
February 2020
Motonet, Espoo, Finland
Car
Funnily enough, our hotel was called Alaska Inn -- even if it was in Israel.
Full story
February 2020
Alaska Inn, Metula, Israel
Sauna (Infrared)
I celebrated the great checkup result by investing in new car... smell. Technically, the result was "failed" but I'll note that 1) I can drive the car still for a month and 2) the necessary repairs are not in the hull but in some insignificant parts like breaks, tires, and suspension.
Full story
February 2020
Herttoniemen Autokatsastus, Espoo, Finland
Car
Important maintenance before yearly checkup in 10 minutes. Wish me luck, I *do* need it this time.
Full story
February 2020
Shell Suomenoja, Espoo, Finland
Car
Is this the ski mask fashion 2020?
Full story
(TGR version)
February 2020
Mount Hermon, Israel
Skiing
While skiing on the rainy Titlis, I saw a crack cave by the slopes, and also visited an ice cave for tourists.
Full story
February 2020
Titlis ice cave, Engelberg, Switzerland
Caving (Glacier,Basic,Showtour)
When an opportunity opens up, one has to take it, even if the weather is -- as the Engelberg tourist office said -- "very bad". I had a couple of friends joining the trip, originally, but they all bailed out citing "heavy rain" and "100 km/h winds" as reasons. But, I had a nice ski day.
Full story
(TGR version)
February 2020
Engelberg, Switzerland
Skiing
It seems insane to stay at airport hotels, but this time it worked well for me. Convenient for the early morning departure, free train ticket to my meeting site, and, most importantly, a nice sauna department!
Full story
February 2020
Hilton Zurich Airport, Kloten, Switzerland
Sauna
I got a parking ticket today on my work trip in Stockholm. Grr...
Full story
January 2020
Kista, Stockholm, Sweden
Car
I always book different hotels on my trips to Sweden, to try out different areas for fun, but also to test drive different saunas. This time I booked the Ariston Hotell in Lidingö, a nice island community near Stockholm. With ski a ski hill... no snow during this bad winter though.
Full story
January 2020
Ariston Hotell, Lidingö, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
Kopaonik is the premier ski resort in Serbia. And I got the premier weather arriving there, in heavy snowfall.
Full story
(TGR version)
December 2019
Kopaonik Ski Area, Kopaonik, Serbia
Skiing
While in Serbia I stayed at the Dvori apartments, about 10 kilometres from the ski slopes. They had a quite nice spa area, with a jacuzzi and four saunas. Very relaxing!
Full story
December 2019
Dvori Apartments, Kopaonik, Serbia
Sauna (Normal,Steam,Infrared); Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
It feels like I'm destined to find closed caves during the winter period. This time I wanted to visit the Vela Spila cave, an archaeologic cave site near Vela Luka, on the island of Korčula in the Croatian archipelago. But, it was closed. Figures.
Full story
January 2020
Vela Spila, Vela Luka, Korcula, Croatia
Caving (Rock,Basic)
Google maps promised that it would be open. And it took hours for me to get there. But, no, in the winter season there's no one at the Vrnjača špiljar or the Vranjaca cave, and the gates are closed. What a disappointment!
Full story
January 2020
Vrnjača špilja, Kotlenice, Croatia
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
Kettils Grotta (Kettil's cave) near the Rosersbergs Castle for an evening hike in the darkness and rain.
Full story
January 2020
Kettils Grotta, Rosersbergs Slott, Stockholm, Sweden
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
Remember how I broke my Volvo keys last week? This week, obviously, I lost the remaining key...
Full story
January 2020
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
Another Volvo story, now from the 2020s...
Full story
January 2020
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
During the Ylläs 24h race in 2019, around 2am I was heading down the Worldcup run at, I guess, at a bit over hundred kilometres an hour. And then something happened. I lost my skis, I tumbled, and hit myself to the icy slope pretty hard.
Full story
April 2019
Ylläs, Finland
Skiing; Sauna
I was skiing in Kopaonik, Serbia, to collect yet another country that I've skied in :-) but on the way back I made a HUGE mistake.
Full story
December 2019
Serbia-Kosovo border, Kopaonik, Serbia
Skiing
While skiing off the Gamsleiten 2 ski lift in Obertauern, we spotted a potential small cave. It was outside the pistes on a steep slope, but I skied to investigate. And found what would in Finland be classified as a cave: 2-3 meter long roof cave on a cliff. But not in Austria...
Full story
January 2020
Small cave, Obertauern, Austria
Skiing; Caving (Rock,Basic)
At the Vienna museum of military history (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum ), we saw a funny "kugelbunker", a concrete boulder for one person shelter from the world war times.
Full story
January 2020
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna, Austria
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers)
Our quick start for year 2020 involved skiing in the Austrian alps, about an hour south of Salzburg. We found a nice, affordable hotel, LUFA in St. Michael im Lungau. While being affordable at only a bit more than 100€ per night, it had nice sauna facilities.
Full story
January 2020
JUFA Hotel Lungau, St. Michael im Lungau, Lungau, Austria
Sauna (Normal,Steam,Infrared)
I was in Vienna already in 2018, but for 2020 Janne and I toured the Vienna museums befor e heading to the ski resorts in Austrian alps. This allowed a new visit to Haus des Meeres, the refurbished bunker-turned-into-and-aquarium, and visits to three other bunkers.
Full story
(TGR version)
January 2020
Haus des Meeres, Esterhazypark, Vienna, Austria; Flakturm Stiftskaserne, Vienna, Austria; Feuerleit Flakturm Arenbergpark, Vienna, Austria; Flakturm Arenbergpark, Vienna, Austria
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers,Military); Caving (Man-Made)
I don't go caving often, but when I do, I want to do it indoors in a dry, clean environment that is safe for everyone. I have to say that I did not expect much from the caving adventure park at the Tampere shopping mall, but I was blown away by how good this place was. Much recommended!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2019
Irti Maasta, Tullintori, Tampere, Finland
Caving (Man-Made,Social); Swimming (Indoor,Balls)
We have a new Finnish cave squeezing record! At the "little xmas party" of the caving association, Jukka Palm and Mike Kushy both pushed through the squeeze box at just 166 millimeters. And I can't even get my fat head fit inside that distance, let alone other body parts! :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2019
Kangasala, Finland
Caving (None,Man-Made)
This seemed like a good time of the year to go explore the start of Nobel industries in Vinterviken. Bunkers, tunnels, testing grounds, and simple factory buildings.
Full story
December 2019
Nobel blasting tunnels, Vinterviken, Stockholm, Sweden
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels,Historic); Caving (Man-Made)
Today I managed to acquire a copy of Jimmy Petterson's "Skiing Around the World" book, volume II: "Collecting Ski Resorts". Can't wait to read this. Jimmy is the world's most widely travelled skier.
Full story
December 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
I've been trying to do this for almost six years. Obviously, it is not easy to find skiing in Singapore. I've been forbidden to ski when there was snow, arrived right after a skiing place had bankrupted, found alternative skiing on off-limits sand, and hidden in despair in caves and abandoned bunkers. But Sport Quest to the rescue! Today I finally managed to ski in Singapore with the help of Sport Quest's indoor facilities at the Snow City. Snow, ice, cold, and on skis. Wonderful!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2019
Snow City, Singapore, Singapore
Skiing (Indoor)
I was on a business trip in Singapore, and stayed a few days at the Conrad Centennial hotel, before the prices got higher than in the conference hotel. And first things first, even if I was tired from the trip, I went straight to the pool on the first night.
Full story
November 2019
Conrad Centennial, Singapore, Singapore
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Every time I fly out from the non-Schengen side of the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, I visit the new Finnair lounge sauna. Dark, hot bliss!
Full story
November 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Sauna
On the following week, I managed to score a luxury accommodation, a hotel room with a window!
Full story
November 2019
The Studio Hotel, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
Connect Hotel: In my quest to try all the saunas in different hotels in Sweden (or Kista, at least) I booked this hotel for a very special price... only for me. Cheap, but the room didn't come with a window. That was fine, it was a hack-documents-until-2am day anyway.
Full story
October 2019
Connect Hotel, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
I visited yet another free mountain sports related evening of talks at Helsinki's Partioaitta. This a great program for interesting talks, much recommend.
Full story
November 2019
Partioaitta, Helsinki, Finland
Skiing
Sigh, lights on the Volvo need to be checked *every* time I park the car.
Full story
October 2019
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
Because the bunker was close to the Sentosa island, we decided to stop in Sentosa for a quick dip into the sea. By now I was running out of time to get to the airport for my flights home, so I just stood in the sea for a bit, rather than change clothes and actually swim.
Full story
November 2019
Siloso beach, Sentosa, Singapore, Singapore
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Sea,Beach)
Once my meeting ended, I wanted to use the couple of hours I had for exploration, and got Tero to join me. I've already covered the Singapore caves and skiing... what remained was bunkers!
Full story
(TGR version)
November 2019
Seah Im Bunker, Keppel Hill, Singapore, Singapore
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
Before the Red Cross camp opened for the caving conference, I had to stay one night somewhere, and have a place for some work conference calls. I ended up selecting the Tsarsko Selo Spa hotel. An interesting place, with many saunas and pools :-)
Full story
September 2019
Tsarsko Selo Spa hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria
Swimming (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Normal,Steam)
I stayed one night at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, on a work trip. They had a pool... and a jacuzzi. Not bad.
Full story
October 2019
Hilton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
I felt the urge to visit odd places, and an old Nike missile base seemed to fit the bill. But, I was quickly losing light on the only day that I could do this. Then the shortcut turned out to be non-passable, and the short hike turned into a 8-kilometre trek on steep hills. In darkness. And, somebody had removed the ruins. Trip ruined? Not quite, the moon and the sea were wonderful in the darkness.
Full story
(TGR version)
October 2019
Nike missile site SF-51, San Francisco, California, USA
Urban-Exploration (Ruins,Military)
Today's busses are #350 and then #380.
Full story
October 2019
Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom
Travel; Flying
... of this starter motor. Hopefully fixed by tomorrow.
Full story
October 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
I got an advertisement today from Verkkokauppa.com, a Finnish electronics store. The advertisement goes "everything for any cave" (or "kaikkea löytyy luolaan kuin luolaan" in Finnish). I think they meant to man caves etc, but I immediately headed to the shop to see if there was caving equipment to be bought :-)
Full story
October 2019
Verkkokauppa.com, Helsinki, Finland
Caving (Equipment)
This evening I'm at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Helsinki. The movies are about skiing, mountain biking, surfing, and caving. Looking forward to the film's, they've always been powerful stories.
Full story
October 2019
Savoy Theater, Helsinki, Finland
Skiing (None,Social,Media); Caving (None,Media,Social)
I went to a marketing show of the Canadian Heli-ski operator, the legendary CMH, as they were visiting Helsinki.
Full story
October 2019
Amer Sports, Helsinki, Finland
Skiing
If you go deep into a cave, you may encounter monsters! Or at least, white stalactite dental work :-)
Full story
September 2019
Duhlata Cave, Sofia, Bulgaria
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
The base is not easy to find; there's a lot of tours on sale to visit the military wonders of Vis, but little actual information. I discovered the location of the base by looking at Google Maps satellite photos, but the Secret Croatia blog also helped...
Full story
August 2019
Vis missile base, Vis, Croatia
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
Jukka and I wanted to continue our photography experiments further up in the Lummelunda cave. The most interesting stalactites are in the Snow White Hall (Snövitsalen), beyond the half-way point in the cave. This turned out to be a very long trip, however, and one where we run out of all of our lights...
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2019
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Boating,Swimming); Swimming (Indoor,Water,Underground,Waterbody-Cave)
My vacation started after midsummer. And the first thing one does on a vacation is to go on a beach, of course. Underground.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2019
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Boating,Swimming); Swimming (Indoor,Water,Underground,Waterbody-Cave)
In the summer I hiked around the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. It has some well known caves (more of them in another blog article) but I also run into a small cave on the path to the biggest, 78-meter waterfall, Veliki Slap.
Full story
(TGR version)
August 2019
Veliki Slap cave, Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
Such a nice beach... also, a red tourist submarine!
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August 2019
Primošten, Croatia
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Sea,Beach)
Another swim at the Kekkola Manor (Kekkolan kartano). This time in the morning. Refreshing!
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September 2019
Kekkolan Kartano, Mikkeli, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
This is how to serve champagne in Palju (a hot outdoor tub heated by wood fire): floating.
Full story
September 2019
Kekkolan Kartano, Mikkeli, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna
Volvo says hi from the airport parking lot at 6am. It was already parked and off, but I had to return inside to pull the circuit breakers, to turn off lights and MCAS.
Full story
September 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Car
Before heading back home, we stopped at the little Siófoki to view lake Balaton. Siófoki has a nice old water tower for the views. And the best party beach is also in Siófoki, the Siófoki Nagystrand!
Full story
August 2019
Siófoki Nagystrand, Siófok, Lake Balaton, Hungary
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
The taxi drivers are a great information source. This time I asked about a hole in a cliff face, and got all the information I needed to visit it later. And it should be a safe place to go to...
Full story
(TGR version)
August 2019
Mali Hum Tunnels, Vis, Croatia
Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels,Bunkers)
Tito was hiding out on the Vis island during WW2, reportedly on small mountaintop caves. Steps lead to the caves today from the Mount Hum road, and they can be easily visited.
Full story
August 2019
Tito's Cave, Vis, Croatia; Tito's Headquarters Cave, Vis, Croatia
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Erosion,Man-Made)
The Volvo... keeps having issue starting. Here's what a typical good start sounds like:
Full story
September 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Returning back from Budapest, Janne and I found a small but remarkable aviation museum next to the Ferenc Liszt airport. A different museum, at least from our point because it featured more of the eastern aircraft than the western ones we've seen more often. Iljushin, Tupolev, Yak, etc.
Full story
August 2019
Budapest Aero Park, Budapest, Hungary
Flying; Travel
Having researched the locations of the Russian bunkers in Porkkala for years, I was surprised to learn the location of another bunker from Dutch tourists on their first day of visiting Finland. They pointed us to a small bunker few hundred meters from the large one we had visited earlier, based on their geocaching explorations.
Full story
August 2019
Siuntion täytetty pikkubunkkeri, Siuntio, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
It is always nice to dip in to sea for a swim. Even if you're visiting an abandoned underground submarine base.
Full story
(TGR version)
August 2019
Ex. Yugoslavian military shelter for submarines, Rogačić, Vis, Croatia
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels,Bunkers,Harbours); Swimming (Indoor,Outdoor,Underground,Water,Waterbody-Sea,Waterbody-Other)
Korkberget is probably Finland's largest cave, with 300+ meters of tight tunnels underneath massive boulders. But, there's also a cliff... and if you climb half-way up the cliff, you will find an amazing crack that leads underground.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2019
Korkbergetin halkeamaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic); Climbing (Rock)
A sign for a cave? Intrigued. It turns out that it leads to the "Cave Bar More", one of the bar's listed in Business Insider's 50 incredible bars you should drink at in your lifetime list.
Full story
August 2019
Cave Bar More, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
The lights on my car are on. Again. On without the engine running... need to check them every time.
Full story
August 2019
Högberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
Budapest's Gellérthegyi Barlan (or the Gellért hill cave) is a cave turned into hermit's hideout, turned into peasant home, turned into a church, and then closed and sealed behind a concrete wall by the communists. Oh, and the communists also executed the head monk.
Full story
August 2019
Gellért hill cave, Budapest, Hungary
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
What a mixture of styles! The Diósgyőri vár or Castle of Diósgyőri sits in the town of Miskolc. A medieval castle, next to a traditional church, next to regular houses, next to a massive wall of Soviet-rule era apartment blocks.
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August 2019
Diósgyőr Castle, Miskolc, Hungary
History
Janne and I visited Castle Eger in Hungary (Egri Vár in Hungarian). I loved the sign, "no ballet dancing on the top of the walls"?
Full story
August 2019
Castle Eger, Eger, Hungary
History; Urban-Exploration (Tunnels)
Today I washed the sweat and dust of the day off at the Harmony Spa. Very, very nicely coloured sauna. Hot too. And a nice blue pool.
Full story
July 2019
Harmony Spa, Budapest, Hungary
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
The museum of Communism's Achievements? Also known as the Museum of Terror... terrible stories about the killings, beatings, and imprisonments of the communist era. People who didn't follow the party line, or just happened to have a house that a party official wanted.
Full story
July 2019
House of Terror, Budapest, Hungary
History; Urban-Exploration (Prisons)
A maze of caves and underground prison cells, cages, darkness, fog, and Dracula? Sign me up please!
Full story
(TGR version)
July 2019
Labirintus, Budapest, Hungary
Caving (Man-Made,Rock); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels,Prisons)
A vacation isn't a vacation unless one can visit another nuclear bunker!
Full story
(TGR version)
July 2019
Hospital in the Rock, Budapest, Hungary
Caving (Man-Made,Rock); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers)
Influence ... one has to be careful with that. I took my sister's twins today to their first cave. At first they were a bit scared, but soon they had helmets on, one was holding my camera and the photographing the other one going through the cave. I wonder where they learned that? :-)
Full story
July 2019
Hiidenkiven luola, Nurmijärvi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
I've lived 25 years in Kauniainen, but today was the first time that I swam in our lake, the Gallträsk. A perfect, hot day for that.
Full story
July 2019
Gallträsk, Kauniainen, Finland*; House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland**
Swimming* (Outdoor); Sauna**
Cave in a park in Philadelphia? Unreal...
Full story
(TGR version)
July 2019
Gorgas Creek Cave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Tunnels,Quarries)
Once again in Kista, Stockholm. For work. In the summer everything seems to be better, though. Like hotel pricing. Apparently Kista is not a big vacation destination, so even the best hotels go for 60€ a night, so this time I'm staying at the Scandic Victoria.
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July 2019
Scandic Victoria, Kista, Sweden
Sauna
I am heading to the IAB workshop & IETF but not before trying the new black sauna at the Finnair lounge with Ari.
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July 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Sauna; Travel
I went on a long bike trip today with Jarmo, to explore the Sarfvik area in Kirkkonummi. This large area of farms, forests and seafront is blocked for public road access by the local residents. Why? You can still explore the area on foot, but the walks are long. But in the summer biking is an option.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
July 2019
Abramsbyn bunkkeri, Sarfvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland*; Golfkentän pieni siirtolohkareluola, Sarfvik, Kirkkonummi, Finland**
Urban-Exploration* (Bunkers); Caving** (Man-Made,Rock)
It turns out one can recycle the pine bath whisk. Just stick it in a terrace flower box, just like people normally decorate their terraces with evergreen tree branches.
Full story
June 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Sauna
Kinnerstugan, north of Visby in Gotland, Sweden, has a nice sauna. Plenty hot! And it is free... except that you need 5 crown coins for the showers.
Full story
June 2019
Kinnerstugan, Gotland, Sweden
Sauna
For a work meeting, I stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Hague. It turned out that they had a nice spa area, with four different saunas and good pool.
Full story
June 2019
Crowne Plaza, Hague, Netherlands
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Today's abandoned mine exploration was in Leppävaara.
Full story
June 2019
Kaivoskallion louhos, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Kaivoskallion siirtolohkareen alusluola, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Quarries); Caving (Man-Made)
On Sunday I went biking with Jarmo to look at some more advertised Espoo natural wonders.
Full story
June 2019
Friisinkallion graniitin rakoilu, Espoo, Finland; Friisinkallion rapakivilohkare, Espoo, Finland
Hiking
While driving around in Germany, I had an opportunity to visit the Spreewald area.
Full story
June 2019
Spreewald Therme, Burg, Germany
Swimming (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna
Wow. This was something else, a vihta (bath whisk) made of pine branches.
Full story
June 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Sauna
I needed some exercise, the weather was great, and there's a directory of Espoo's natural wonders in the Internet. So I went a biking tour to look at some of the Rapakivi boulders.
Full story
June 2019
Tillinmäen rapakivilohkare, Tillinmäki, Espoo, Finland; Malminmäentien rapakivilohkare, Espoon keskuspuisto, Espoo, Finland; Espoon keskuspuiston rapakivilohkare, Espoon keskuspuisto, Espoo, Finland
Hiking
I had a chance to fly the new Airbus A220 plane the other day. Wonderful, efficient, hi-tech plane! And new airplane smell!
Full story
April 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Flying
Quiet place, green grass, views, a rocking chair... at an airport. Hard to believe, but there is this lounge at HEL called KAINUU.
Full story
June 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Flying; Travel
Well, it isn't really a sauna, except that it is hot, it is packed with people. And it is a decorated bus at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, affectionately known as HEL.
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June 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Flying
Lummelunda week is coming up AND I'M GOING AGAIN! WOOHOOO!
Full story
May 2019
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Boating,Swimming); Swimming (Indoor,Water,Underground,Waterbody-Cave)
I attended a workshop at a private corporate facility in Kirkkonummi, and it turns out that there was both a very nice sauna, swimming place, as well as ruins from the Russian occupation times: a railroad leading to a rock, almost disappeared harbour pier. Nice surprise!
Full story
June 2019
Corporate Sauna, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool,Waterbody-Sea); Urban-Exploration (Ruins)
My colleagues had organised an event at the Lähteen Sauna, in the area of the Lapinlahti mental institute. Ex. institute... and Lähteen sauna is as far as I know, the oldest still operating sauna in Helsinki that is still open to public.
Full story
June 2019
Lähteen sauna, Lapinlahti, Helsinki, Finland
Sauna
Today I managed to sign up for the EuroSpeleo 2019, this time happening near Sofia in Bulgaria!
Full story
June 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None)
Spending the night right in Stockholm's old town? On a yacht? With an excellent sauna heated up just for you? For 1000 SEK (100€) a night? Enter Mälardrottningen... not bad at all!
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May 2019
Mälardrottningen, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
Besides the hot pools, volcanoes, and caves, I also find Iceland wonderful in other ways. On my recent two trips, I managed to find some time for quick tours of some of the usual attractions near Reykjavik, on the Golden Circle for instance.
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May 2019
Gulfoss, Iceland; The Great Geysir, Iceland
Travel
I knew that there are tectonic plates, but I had no idea one can walk in the crack between them. But in Thingvellir, Iceland it is possible.
Full story
May 2019
Thingvellir, Iceland
Caving (None)
While driving around a bit after the meeting ended that day, I came across a modest looking community swimming pool in Laugarvatn. But it turned out to be a luxury sauna - thermal bath facility, the Fontana. And it was on the beach of a lake where the warnings say the lake water is boiling at some places. Care for a swim?
Full story
May 2019
Laugarvatn Fontana, Laugarvatn, Iceland*; Hot Pot, Laugarvatn, Iceland**
Swimming* (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool,Thermal-Bath); Swimming** (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Thermal-Bath); Sauna* (Normal,Steam)
While in London, we happened to walk through the Banksy Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway tunnel where graffiti is ... tolerated if not legal. Pretty nice!
Full story
May 2019
Leake Street, London, United Kingdom
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made)
Booze tunnel in Helsinki... not from prohibition times but built between Alko's factory and warehouse. Decommissioned, now as a reserve shelter. The tunnel is underneath the Ruoholahti mall, in floor -6... deep under everything else. So deep that it is even underneath the kid amusement park Hoplop in floor -5 :-)
Full story
May 2019
Ruoholahden kauppakeskus, Helsinki, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made)
I was worrying about the fate of the locked-up snow, when all of a sudden, some guy in black clothing and black miniskis jumped over the fence and liberated the snow. Amazing!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
May 2019
Leppävaaran jäähalli, Espoo, Finland
Skiing
Jarmo and I visited the Leppävaara area fortifications, inspired by Tony Hagerlund's excellent blogs about them. There's plenty of trenches and also bunkers! These are World War I era fortifications built in a circle around Helsinki. We also found a small natural cave under a boulder!
Full story
April 2019
Bunkkeritunneli 1, Vallikallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeritunneli 2, Vallikallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Romahtanut bunkkeri, Vallikallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeri 1, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeri 2, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Siirtolohkareen luola, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Bunkkeri 3, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Romahtanut bunkkeri 4, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Iso bunkkeri, Laturinkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Tykkiasema 1, Nupukivenkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Tykkiasema 2, Nupukivenkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland; Tykkiasema 3, Nupukivenkallio, Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
I saw snow today! Outside the Leppävaara skating rink... behind bars. What did that snow do, and why is it locked up, and we're not allowed to play?
Full story
(TGR version)
April 2019
Leppävaaran jäähalli, Espoo, Finland
Skiing
Car off lights on, because too old relay and no one makes it anymore. Fortunately, fuses work as a backup. #volvo
Full story
April 2019
Nimismiehenpelto, Espoo, Finland
Car
An el cheapo weekend activity: at Ylläs up North but since we're doing the 24 hour race, u don't need a hotel. 2 hours in, 22 to go. A lot of fun, old friends and, well, basically going fast & non-stop
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2019
Ylläs, Finland
Skiing
Volvo. It runs nicely. After refuelling I calculated how much fuel must have been left before the canister, and got to "-2 litres", so... And all this time I have been blaming the car.
Full story
April 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Car
Today's Volvo story is first two buses to get to buy a fuel canister. Then...
Full story
April 2019
Shell Bemböle, Espoo, Finland
Car
Today's car repair: signal light wire loose. Fortunately 0€ (in a different shop than yesterday).
Full story
April 2019
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
Didn't start. Leaving it at the office parking lot and taking the train, will return to investigate after some travel. Maybe broken, maybe fuel.
Full story
April 2019
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
After two weeks with stiches, finally got the OK to go back to the sauna again. Bliss!
Full story
February 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Sauna
After the Ylläs competition, I first had a quick shower and sauna at the Pöllö next to the slopes. But since I had a long wait for my flight, I wanted to visit a proper spa. I had not been in the Levi Hotel Spa near the airport in a long time, so time for that today!
Full story
April 2019
Levi Hotel, Kittilä, Finland
Swimming (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna
Today I renewed my primary passport. With the recently renewed secondary passport, and the just expired one, there's now a stack of three passports in front of me! The expired has served well though, and will be decommissioned properly.
Full story
April 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Travel
I had an opportunity to visit Tallinn for a couple of hours yesterday, and the obvious question was whether there'd be anything underground to visit. And there is, Kiek in de Kök bastion tunnels. But, they were closed on Monday. Luckily, however, we run into an old bunker under the Tallinn Meremuuseum.
Full story
April 2019
Tallinna linnamüür, Tallinn, Estonia; Bunker under Eesti Meremuuseum, Tallinn, Estonia
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
While I've already skied in Czech Republic, I wanted to see if I could briefly visit a nearby ski area after my monster 8-day meeting was over. And I found Skiareál Klínovec!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2019
Skiareál Klínovec, Klínovec, Czech Republic
Skiing
For afterski, I felt like I needed a shower. But maybe not just that... perhaps a sauna, or a dip into a pool. How about the divine thermal bath waters of Zámecké Lázně in the nearby Karlovy Vary?
Full story
March 2019
Zámecké Lázně, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool,Thermal-Bath)
Cool ride this morning, only for 750€ for the repairs
Full story
April 2019
AVJ-Autostyling, Espoo, Finland
Car
Lets say that the tour guide was not a big fan of communism.
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2019
Parukarka Park bunker, Prague, Czech Republic
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
Greetings, a picture... and a doubled bill. Uh. More rust than expected.
Full story
March 2019
AVJ-Autostyling, Espoo, Finland
Car
A bunker. A ventilation shaft. R2-D2 mod. What's not to like?
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2019
R2-D2, Folimanka Park, Prague, Czech Republic
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
My car is now left for good care for the next week and half while I'm on a business trip. They are fixing the rusted corner... crossing fingers that the budget won't be exceeded. Also, my dishwasher and oven broke, so there's a repair guy fixing them as well today. Luckily, same brand, so one repair guy only... sadly he didn't do cars though :-)
Full story
March 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Building the future of HEL... yeah right. It is hellish right now, as the traffic to the airport and parking arrangements are pretty unbearable.
Full story
March 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Flying
Not a photo of my car, but of another Volvo in front of the repair shop. I'm here because rust in my car, only in one corner, but needs a fix to stay legal. Cost estimate: ~350-450€. Need to think though. What kind of car would I get for that money? Or, 100 train tickets...
Full story
March 2019
AVJ-Autostyling, Espoo, Finland
Car
Another week, more work for me in Stockholm. But, I also got to visit another ski hill. My friend John also joined to try out Ekholmsnäsbacken in the small community in the Lidingö island.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2019
Ekholmsnäsbacken, Lidingö, Sweden
Skiing
Two crashes within few months have put the Boeing 737 MAX airplanes into doubt. I'm flying today, not on a MAX due to a world-wide grounding of the plane. I sometimes flew MAXes, as Norwegian flies them between Helsinki and Stockholm.
Full story
March 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Flying
I was inspired by this recipe for sauna scents, and wanted to try my own variants, one with juniper and another one with tar. But the experiments failed...
Full story
March 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Sauna
I had earlier visited Hvitträsk with Janne for the rock painting there's on a cliff. Back then we had also seen a small boulder cave. This time we returned with Jarmo, flew the drone for some video, and also found a total of seven small caves, three of which may be too small to enter but the others are clearly small caves.
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2019
Luola 1, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Luola 2, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Luola 3, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Luola 4, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Luola 5, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Luola 6, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Luola 7, Hvitträsk, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
It was great weather, and the evening lights actually made the weather less of an issue. But most importantly, it was even more fun because my friend Heidi happened to be in town and joined me on the trip. Very nice!
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2019
Hammarbybacken, Stockholm, Sweden
Skiing
We had half a day in Reykjavik, and besides visiting a thermal bath, what could we do? Obviously, visit a cave... a lava tube. Or the Lava Tunnel, few kilometres outside the city (coordinates: N 63.9402 W 21.3971).
Full story
(TGR version)
February 2019
The Lava Tunnel, Reykjavik, Iceland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Volcanic,Morphology-Volcanic,Basic,Showtour)
I've been working and travelling in Stockholm for decades, oddly enough this week's trip is the first one where I took my skis with me. Weather on the local hill looks great; in the evening when I get off work it will also be dark. Looking forward to this! Anyone else want to join?
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2019
Hammarbybacken, Stockholm, Sweden
Skiing
Abandoned fish factory in the cold winter of Icelandic north shores. But with a hot thermal bath! What's better than lying in the pool and trying to spot whales on the sea? For 4€...
Full story
(TGR version)
March 2019
Hjalteyri, Iceland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Thermal-Bath,Waterbody-Pool)
On our search for thermal baths in Iceland lead us to Hjalteyri on the northern shores of Iceland, north of Akureyri. We found an abandoned fish factory with storage tanks for fish oil and herring. It was fun to explore, luckily there was no rotten fish smell left :-)
Full story
March 2019
Hjalteyri, Iceland
Urban-Exploration (Industrial,Silos,Smokestacks)
Amazing! The Laugaskard swimming pool is a community-run, swimming pool, gym, and sauna facility. What a wonderful, hot swim outside in the cold weather.
Full story
February 2019
Laugaskard swimming pool, Laugaskard, Iceland
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Steam)
I took the train route to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport this morning, wanting to both see the deep underground station and to test the route should my 27-year old car some day not work :-)
Full story
February 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels,Railways)
Incredibly, it passed the check!!
Full story
February 2019
K1 Katsastus, Finnoo, Espoo, Finland
Car
Scared... going into the annual check-up.
Full story
February 2019
K1 Katsastus, Finnoo, Espoo, Finland
Car
Car wash before going into the annual check-up. Very scared.
Full story
February 2019
Shell Suomenoja, Espoo, Finland
Car
I was in Kista once again, and this time tried out the new hotel, Comfort Hotel Kista. A new hotel building, and very, very nice. Modern rooms but still with a warm feeling. But WTF, how can one have a new hotel without a sauna???
Full story
February 2019
Comfort Hotel Kista, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna (None)
Learning to do major maintenance on the Volvo myself... now I have new windshield wiper blades, and can see out again #volvo
Full story
February 2019
Biltema, Espoo, Finland
Car
What a wonderful sauna. So Finnish... or so Belarussian... or, really, Russian. The Russian sauna culture is similar to Finland's, except only more so. More hot, close to 110 degrees Celsius in my case. More snowplay. More cold water. More funny hats. Maybe also more vodka.
Full story
(TGR version)
January 2019
Silichy, Belarus
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Badeschiff! A great idea to swim in the middle of Berlin, in the river but yet in a clean pool. In a ship, or barge converted to a pool.
Full story
August 2017
Badeschiff, Berlin, Germany
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Janne and I visited the cathedral of Milan, Duomo di Milano. This magnificent piece of art, construction, and religion was a wonder to visit, particularly from the upper floors and roof. The cathedral took a whopping 600 years to complete, and is the fourth largest church building in the world.
Full story
January 2019
Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy
History; Urban-Exploration (Ruins)
The "Luola" magazine from the Finnish Caving Association dropped into the mailbox today. Nice! And of course, we got two copies because there's two members in the household...
Full story
February 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None,Media)
No sauna for me for the next ten days. I had a small operation on my hand... and the wound has to heal
Full story
February 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Sauna
While at Gudauri, we stayed at the Marco Polo hotel. The hotel has a spa, with a small sauna, pool, and a jacuzzi. The sauna is small but fiery. It was also fun to meet Russians who wanted to talk about the infamous (and sadly, deadly) Finnish-Russian sauna world championships...
Full story
February 2019
Hotel Marco Polo, Gudauri, Georgia
Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna
This week I've been touring the mountains of Georgia with my friends.
Full story
February 2019
Gudauri ski resort, Gudauri, Georgia
Skiing
I only have an evening, not enough to take a Shinkansen to the real mountains. But I do have time to visit yet another Tokyo indoor ski place. This time, the Snova Mizonokuchi! It was fun to ride through downtown Tokyo with my skis and boots, through the train system.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2019
Snova Mizonokuchi, Kawasaki, Tokyo, Japan
Skiing (Indoor)
I had an opportunity to swim twice this week. At a spa in the Tokyo evening, the water was so hot that my skin was hurting. And having come back home, I joined my colleagues for a visit at the Löyly in Helsinki. The water in the sea was ... also hurting my skin. But, on the average is was pretty nice temperatures. And in both places the views were great.
Full story
January 2019
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan*; Löyly, Helsinki, Finland**
Swimming* (Indoor); Swimming** (Outdoor); Sauna* (Normal); Sauna** (Normal,Smoke)
The Löyly sauna & restaurant in Helsinki has been the most notable architecture and experience thing of recent years in Helsinki. I've been there, but not yet in the sauna side. Today it changed because my co-workers organized a very nice event there for our surfing club...
Full story
January 2019
Löyly, Helsinki, Finland
Sauna (Normal,Smoke); Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Ice,Waterbody-Sea)
Love the new luggage tags Finnair hands out, not to mention the Moomins in their Tokyo check-in desk.
Full story
January 2019
Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan
Flying
... of the car even if it has been a week in the cold without heating cable. I take my wins where I can.
Full story
January 2019
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Car
Janne and I got to visit the Enrico Toti, an Italian submarine on our through trip to Milan.
Full story
January 2019
Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, Italy
History
The icemen don't speak much, be they Finnish Formula 1 drivers or ancient frozen dead guys from the alps.
Full story
January 2019
South Tirol Museum of Archeology, Bolzano, Italy
History
The Hotel Milano in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, was our home for couple of days after the new year. I used their sauna every day... a typical small hotel basement sauna.
Full story
January 2019
Hotel Milano, Madonna di Campiglio, Finland
Sauna
Huh, pretty hot weather. And hot sauna. Burning in both, almost. And thick carpets in the sauna! But what a view over the sea, Tokyo downtown, and the rainbow bridge.
Full story
January 2019
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan
Sauna; Swimming (Outdoor,Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Better Off Dead: This is the best teen movie, ever. Really. There's skiing, romance, crappy cars, great music, ... what's not to like?
Full story
January 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
Over the years, I've stayed many times at the Hilton in Slusseln, Stockholm. Usually it is priced too expensive for me to be able to book it for business trips, but this time it was on offer at the same price as my other alternatives, so I took it. I had a visit in the sauna early in the morning before heading to my meetings.
Full story
January 2019
Stockholm Hilton, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
It did start... barely! Even on warmer conditions, the engine wants to quite, and does not run unless there's enough RPMs, until the engine warms up for couple of minutes.
Full story
January 2019
Kehä II, Espoo, Finland
Car
Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets: it is -23, will the Volvo start?
Full story
January 2019
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Today I got my Volvo back from the shop again. It has had a well-deserved two-week vacation, having been broken before Christmas.
Full story
January 2019
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
Volvo replacement... at least for now. Comes with extra exercise which is always good :-) Oh, and the repair shop decided to have holidays so no fixes yet.
Full story
January 2019
Kauniainen station, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Given that I like underground places, it was surprising that it took me a year to visit Länsimetro, the new subway towards west from Helsinki. The new stations are spectacular and modern.
Full story
December 2018
Tapiola, Espoo, Finland; Iso-Omena, Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Railways)
The new central library in Helsinki opened a few weeks ago. Today I had a chance to visit this widely acclaimed piece of architecture. It is wonderful!
Full story
December 2018
Oodi, Helsinki, Finland
Other
There's a guy in Kauniainen that makes art out of cut tree stumps. They are all over town... and they are wonderful. This stork is wonderful!
Full story
December 2018
Gallträsk, Kauniainen, Finland
Other
No car, no skilift, no problem! My car is broken, but fortunately, since I live in the world's happiest town, I can walk to the ski hill, ski down to the bus stop, take the public transport to the public swimming pool, and lock my skis in the bike rack. And return by train.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2018
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland*; Keski-Espoon Uimahalli, Espoo, Finland**
Skiing*; Sauna**; Swimming** (Indoor)
It turns out that warning lights may actually mean something :-) I got left by the roadside. Again. But by miracle my friend Lars happened to drive by and notice my car, and me, already on a cold, long walk home. He picked me up from the darkness, so I got home :-) thank you!
Full story
December 2018
Nihtisilta, Espoo, Finland
Car
Now with all warning lights on. Still runs though, at least at the moment. Christmas tree mode? #volvo
Full story
December 2018
Iso-Omena, Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland
Car
I often go to various exotic saunas and swimming pools (or holes in ice), but I have to lift up also my home town swimming hall in Kauniainen. Small, old, and not particularly fancy. But, a very nice place to put in some laps.
Full story
December 2018
Kauniaisten uimahalli, Kauniainen, Finland
Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna
What now? #Volvo
Full story
December 2018
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Car
Weather dried up, car works again. In possibly unrelated news, the repair shop changed more parts (two sensors) for 290€.
Full story
December 2018
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
I recently blogged about a possible new cave in Laajalahti. But I didn't go there to look for a cave, I wanted to see the fortifications from before World War I, built by the Russians. I found many, including many small bunkers that one can easily visit.
Full story
December 2018
Laajalahden bunkkeri 1, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 2, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 3, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 4, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 5, Espoo, Finland; Laajalahden bunkkeri 6, Espoo, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
Visited the patient today at the car hospital. First operation failed, but the doctors are hopeful.
Full story
December 2018
Autofit Latokaski, Espoo, Finland
Car
I follow the Caving Podcast when it appears every month. Usually the stories are pretty local to US and Indiana, where the podcast is made. But this time the story they told was very interesting for anyone.
Full story
December 2018
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving (None)
Kirkkonummi is a gift that keeps on giving! Near the caves that we had investigated in Kauhala there's a very interesting roof cave on the cliffs surrounding Kittelberget. We set out again to hike the area with Jarmo, and found more interesting things, again :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2018
Kittelbergetin iso lippaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kittelbergetin pieni lippaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kittelbergetin toinen pieni lippaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kittelbergetin kallionalusluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Basic)
This isn't really an unknown place as such -- the geocachers and climbers regularly visit these cracks and the cliff. But it hasn't been noted in any of the usual places where Finnish caves are listed. Jarmo found this place on his hike in November, and we've been exploring it on several trips since then.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2018
Kauhalan luola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kauhalan luolan lohkaresivuluolat, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kauhalan luolan halkeamasivuluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kittelbergetin pieni lippaluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic,Surveying)
Espoo. While looking for the remains of fortifications in Laajalahti, I came across a possible small roof cave. Small, but maybe worth documenting since there are really very few caves in Espoo. But the question is, is this a natural cave or remains of fortifications or quarry operations in the area?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2018
Laajalahden lippaluola, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Basic,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Surveying)
I didn't need this today... car not starting... rain... tough week.
Full story
December 2018
Ilmeenkuja, Laajalahti, Espoo, Finland
Car
The season's first run on the Streif, the famous downhill run from the Hahnenkamm. Why first? Because it was partly on grass...
Full story
(TGR version)
November 2018
Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel, Austria
Skiing
Local slopes are open! Peuramaa opened on Nov 30th, Serena on Nov 27th, Vihti Nov 23th, and I don't know about Grani or Swinghill but both are running their snow guns so hopefully soon!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2018
Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Skiing
An infrared sauna in the middle of the living room? What an idea!
Full story
November 2018
Cordial Golf and Wellness Hotel Kitzbühel, Kitzbühel, Austria
Sauna (Infrared); Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Today I went to a fashion lecture... apparently.
Full story
November 2018
Scandinavian Outdoor Store, Tammisto, Vantaa, Finland
Equipment
Today I'm staying at the Elite Hotel Stockholm Plaza. My usual hotel search includes the condition that it must have a sauna. Elite has one, too :-)
Full story
November 2018
Elite Hotel Stockholm Plaza, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
Walked through the Kunsträdgården underground station again today. While the "greek findings" in the station are fake, they are nice!
Full story
November 2018
Kungsträdgården subway station, Stockholm, Sweden
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels)
This week I'm working in Stockholm, and did not manage to get my usual cheap hotel near the office. Staying at the city center, I noticed a tunnel that I had not seen before: Brunkebergstunneln. A nice walkway from 1880s, 231 meters long.
Full story
November 2018
Brunkebergstunneln, Stockholm, Sweden
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made)
I've heard stories about the logging tunnel through Pispala, but today I finally got an opportunity to go see it myself.
Full story
(TGR version)
November 2018
Pispalan uittotunneli, Tampere, Finland; Pispalan ensimmäinen uittotunneli, Tampere, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made)
I'm in Paris for a meeting, and on the way to the airport we visited the abandoned underground railroad line. What did we find? An art show and sculptures deep inside the tunnels! And also wonderful graffiti!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2018
Old Charonne Station, Paris, France
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-Made)
Today I flew to Tampere for the first time, and was happy to find out that they've decorated the airport with Moomin pictures. This makes total sense, given the world's only Moomin museum is in Tampere. Nice!
Full story
November 2018
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport, Tampere, Finland
Flying
I also had to test the sauna at my meeting hotel, the Marriott Marquis Queen's Park Bangkok.
Full story
November 2018
Marriott Marquis Queen's Park, Bangkok, Thailand
Sauna; Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
I may have stayed too much inside, do I need some sunshine? My hotel in Bangkok, the Hilton Sukhumvit, had a nice pool and pool bar at the 26th floor.
Full story
November 2018
Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok, Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Missed windows. I just arrived in Bangkok, for a working conference, with exciting technical topics filling the next nine days. But I had also been looking forward to escaping the meetings for an hour or two and skiing at the local indoor ski hill, Snow Town. But sadly, I missed it just by few months... it opened only in 2015 and closed in July.
Full story
November 2018
Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok, Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand
Other
I got stuck at an elevator in Frankfurt the other day.
Full story
October 2018
Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany
Flying
Today I went to Mustavuori to get a small hike and too see the tunnels and canyons.
Full story
October 2018
Linnoitustunneli 1, Mustavuori, Helsinki, Finland; Linnoitustunneli 2, Mustavuori, Helsinki, Finland
Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers,Tunnels)
Today I went to Helsinki for the Liquorice and Salmiak Festival, held in Katajanokka.
Full story
October 2018
Wanha Satama, Helsinki, Finland
Other
Jarmo, Jukka, and I spent Sunday testing cave photography techniques again. I also got to show the Korkberget cave to Jukka who had not been there before. Hopefully he liked it.... to me it is by far the most interesting cave in Finland.
Full story
October 2018
Palloiluhalli, Kauniainen, Finland*; Korkbergetin lohkareluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland**
Caving* (Man-Made); Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
Different kind of post. Nothing to report, car works. Nice dry warmish parking spot at the airport this evening, too.
Full story
October 2018
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Car
The book "Suomen Luolat" gives a hint of a cave in Kirkkonummi, near someone's yard, with fuzzy coordinates that could be off by kilometres.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
October 2018
Lohkareluola, Bastuberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic); History
On Thursday I attended the short film screening of Antti Autti's new film "Get Closer".
Full story
October 2018
Scandinavian Outdoor, Helsinki, Finland
Other
Crisis! Blomi tells me that Jimmy Petterson -- who "has spent most of the last 40 years as a ski bum" -- has collected skiing 76 countries. Me, sadly, only 58... and some of those aren't even on snow, but sand, grass, or ash.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
October 2018
Scandinavian Outdoor, Helsinki, Finland
Other
On my recent trip to Austria, I stayed for a few days in Hintertux at the Berghof Hintertux Wellnesshotel. Hintertux is already by itself an amazing environment with the green hills and towering mountains and glaciers. But the Berghof turned out to be perhaps the best sauna & spa hotel that I've been to!
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August 2018
Berghof Hintertux Wellnesshotel, Hintertux, Austria
Sauna (Normal,Steam,Infrared); Swimming (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Intake manifold sealants changed, valve sealants changed, fuel injection relay changed, crankshaft position sensor cable changed, idle speed controller cleaned, and winter tires put in, 510€. Runs, at least at the moment.
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October 2018
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
Temporary replacement car, because Volvo is still giving trouble. Specifically, it is giving the trouble that in the repair shop it is not giving the trouble that left me on the road. They are going to replace manyparts in case it helps.
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October 2018
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
What a wonderful metro station in Stockholm. Even if these are fake, they are nice...
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October 2018
Rådhuset metro station, Stockholm, Sweden
Urban-Exploration (Tunnels)
Banff mountain film screening @ Stockholm.
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October 2018
Skandia Theater, Stockholm, Sweden
Other
In the 1990s I used to spend a lot of time at the Amaranten hotel in Stockholm. It has been a long time... but now I visited it again. It is still quite a decent hotel, nice rooms. However, the sauna ... leaves something to be desired.
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October 2018
Clarion Hotel Amaranten, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
The Finnish Caving Association was having a course on basic caving. I've been on that course... but it seemed like a fun thing to do and a nice visit to Turku. And I ended up doing more practice with cave photography using multiple flashes and radio triggers.
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October 2018
Luolavuoren luola, Turku, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic,Training)
*Every* cave that I go to in Finland seems to have at least one beer can. Lets clean them up!
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October 2018
Luolavuoren luola, Turku, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
I guess I will have my conference call from here, until the tow truck arrives.
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October 2018
Laaksotie, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
"I'm not starting" -day.
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September 2018
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
I'm stuck at a meeting in northern China, somewhere between North Korea and Siberia. Abandoned concrete housing projects fill the rainy horizon in this city that no one seems to have heard of. But this does not mean that the locals cannot have nice things. Or me. World's largest indoor ski hall, for instance?
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(TGR version)
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September 2018
Wanda Ski Park, Harbin, China
Skiing (Indoor)
Every time I go on a business trip, I try to look for places that I could either ski or go caving in. In Harbin, China, the language and Internet information differences were too big for me to figure out if there were any caves that I could visit. However, there was a reportedly nice bookstore that was built to resemble a cave.
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(TGR version)
September 2018
Cave Bookstore, Harbin, China
Caving (Man-Made)
I was on a business trip in Harbin, China, at a decent hotel, the Songbei Shangri-La. It turned out that they had a VERY nice pool and sauna area.
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(TGR version)
September 2018
Songbei Shangri-La, Harbin, China
Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna
Janne and I visited St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.Wonderful structure, and great to see the not-for-us gardens of the Vatican from above. Would be wonderful to visit. But can you ski in the Vatican?
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August 2018
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Vatican
Other
Is it an aquarium or a construct of the evil nazi regime? Well, both...
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(TGR version)
August 2018
Haus des Meeres, Esterhazypark, Vienna, Austria
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
There's a big contrast between warm summer evening in the countryside, and what you find a few meters under your feet: a massive, blown up Soviet-era bunker. Damp darkness, rebar that is difficult to crawl through. And we're here to practice photography!
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September 2018
Inkoon jättibunkkeri, Inkoo, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
Saw something in the darkness on the walk back... is it a bouncy castle or a space station? Nah, turned to be just another data center. #Kista
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September 2018
Kista Space Station, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden
Urban-Exploration (Industrial)
Swoosh, flushed down! This cave makes me feel like going down the drain.
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August 2018
Saubachlhöhlen, Yspertal, Austria
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic,Swimming); Swimming (Outdoor,Underground,Nature,Water,Waterbody-River,Cave)
I was again at Hintertux for summer skiing, at the low point of the yearly snow cycle. The glaciers were dark... black even.
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August 2018
Hintertux, Zillertal, Austria
Skiing
Moonmilk. Bats. Artefacts from 1800s. Still, inexplicably, all the other 15 participants have cancelled this excursion, including one of the guides. Why? Last nights party? Perhaps, the last guy to cancel says he partied too long. Or maybe it is the rain. It has been raining cats and dogs.
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(TGR version)
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August 2018
Nixlucke, Ebensee, Austria
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,SRT)
My first visit to a large cave system, in the wild. An all day adventure with geology lessons, and climbing steep and slippery clay tunnels!
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August 2018
Dachstein Mammuthöhle, Dachstein, Austria
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
Had a nice swim in Austria's Attersee when driving past the area. Water temperature was just right, cooling me down on a hot day.
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August 2018
Attersee am Attersee, Attersee, Austria
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
Had a nice swim today, up the road from Ebensee. At the Langbathseen lake. Very nice, clear, blue, greenish water, and a wide beach with plenty of room even on a hot day.
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August 2018
Langbathseen, Ebensee, Austria
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
This week some of us Finnish cavers are attending Eurospelo in Austria. The first session for Jukka, Tor, me, and our Canadian friend Andrew turned out to be cave photography, learning to use backlight with Philippe Crochet and Annie Guiraud. Amazing stuff, very happy that we were able to join.
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(TGR version)
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August 2018
Gassel-Tropfsteinhöhle, Ebensee, Austria
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Training); Photography
During World War II, the Nazis built so called Flak Towers -- fortified air defence bunkers -- in three cities, Berlin, Vienna, and Hamburg. I had previously been in the Thumboldthain tower in Berlin. Now I was able to visit two similar bunkers in Hamburg.
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(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2018
Heiligengeistfeld Flaktürme, Heiligengeistfeld, Hamburg, Germany; Energy Bunker, Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, Germany
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
Skis for the summer acquired, from Ski-service in Pitäjänmäki. They opened the shop for me :-)
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August 2018
Ski Service, Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, Finland
Equipment
countries_skied++; San Marino!
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July 2018
Cesta, Monte Titano, San Marino, San Marino
Skiing; Climbing
Catacombe di San Gennaro is one of the underground burial sites in Naples. Janne and visited this on a tour, and were surprised.
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July 2018
Catacombe di San Gennaro, Naples, Italy
History; Caving (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Catacombs)
What a find! A secret garden, but with a keyhole that reveals the most beautiful view onto it, with St. Peter's Basilica exactly in the centre of the view.
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August 2018
Priory of the Knights of Malta, Rome, Italy
History; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites)
I did not realise there was a pyramid in Rome. Not huge, but still impressive Cestius Pyramid! Modelled after Egyptian or other pyramids, perhaps
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August 2018
Cestius Pyramid, Rome, Italy
History; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites)
You have to feel sorry for this little museum, as their resources are probably tight. But seriously... cave stalactites made of urethan without painting... bears with zippers... all-white plastic giraffes.
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August 2018
Museo di Zoologia, Rome, Italy
Caving (Man-Made,Research)
On our last day of the Italian tour, Janne and I drove to Lago Albano, an old volcanic crater that is now filled with water. On the rim of the crater you can find Castel Gandolfo, one of most beautiful Italian towns, the Pope's summer cottage, and wonderful views.
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August 2018
Lago Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Italy
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach); History; Climbing (Volcanoes)
This week I'm on a tour through Italy with Janne. I had mentioned this to Tero, who suggested that we visit Grotta di Frasassi east of Ancona. He had made a visit earlier, and saw an incredibly large cave hall. Still, I had not realised how big it was. Over 100 meters in free height, and 240 meters to the natural opening at the top.
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July 2018
Grotta di Frasassi, Italy
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Showtour)
While touring the Naples area, we stayed in Sorrento, at the Hilton Sorrento Palace. They had a nice pool, with a view of the Vesuvius!
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July 2018
Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento, Italy
Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
I had a nice bike ride with Janne today.... more than 70 kilometres, and through Vantaa to look at the airport, visit my mom in Tuusula, and back via Espoo.
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July 2018
Hyrylä, Tuusula, Finland
Biking (Bike-Road,Track-Road,Outdoor)
We tried to get to the St. Peter's Basilica twice today, but no luck. Too many people. However, we did take a look at the train line running into Vatican City.
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July 2018
Vatican Railway Entrance Gateway, Rome, Italy
Travel
After a day of waiting in lines for sights in 36 degree sunshine, it was time for a sauna. Fortunately, the Hilton Garden Inn at Calridge had one. Or two, really, a Finnish and Turkish saunas. Quite nice, quite hot, and there was a bucket of water to throw on the heater as well.
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July 2018
Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge, Rome, Italy
Sauna
Went to see the Vesuvius crater with Janne, quite interesting and of course the source of many sad fates in destroyed cities around. Overdue for eruption, too.
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July 2018
Vesuvius, Naples, Italy*; Small cave at the Vesuvius, Naples, Italy**
Climbing*; Caving** (Rock,Rock-Volcanic,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
In my series of biking in the world's cities: Montreal. And visiting Mount Royal for the views and nice park experience. I particularly like the lake on the backside.
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July 2018
Mont Royal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Biking (Outdoor,Bike-City,Track-City,Track-Road,Track-Trail); Climbing (Volcanoes)
I'm staying at a conference in Montreal, at the Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth hotel.
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July 2018
Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Tero and Peter convinced me to join the the AURA lightshow at the Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal. Wow, what a show. Much recommended.
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July 2018
Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Other
The LivingWell gym club has a facility at the Terminal 4 Hilton in Heathrow. Is it any good?
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July 2018
Hilton Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Travel
I had a free afternoon on an otherwise busy business trip in Montreal, and I wanted to visit Caverne de Saint-Léonard, a famous cave right under a city park. While this is a small cave, what I found was not your typical touristy show cave, but an adventure.
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
July 2018
Caverne de Saint-Léonard, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
I had a great Sunday, starting with work work work, with some progress I think, then went skiing, and finally returned to have a nice sauna and a swim at the hotel. And afterwards met some fun new Argentinians from my meeting at a late reception.
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(TGR version)
July 2018
Mont Saint-Sauveur Versant Avila, Quebec, Canada
Skiing
I had an opportunity to interview Bo Lenander, Swedish Speleological Society, about cave electronics and communications equipment. In this video he explains the equipment that he has built and what it can be used for. And then we try it out in the Gotland's Lummelunda cave!
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2018
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Boating,Swimming,Equipment); Swimming (Indoor,Underground,Water,Waterbody-Cave)
While at the caver's camp, I felt like I needed a shower... and a sauna. Solbergabadet in Visby to the rescue!
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June 2018
Solbergabadet, Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
At the Lummelunda campsite, someone had constructed a sauna out of tarp. Rocks would be heated in a nearby fire pit, and then brought inside for the heating of the sauna.
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June 2018
Lummelunda campsite, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Sauna
Evening exercise, drive to Nuuksio and visit Sikalammen Luola ("Cave of the Pigpond"). I found it, although the forest in the area is difficult going.
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July 2018
Sikalammen luola, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
+10C, raining, high winds, cleaning up ratshit in the cabin, a fallen tree on our swimspot... HAPPY MIDSUMMER!!!
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June 2018
Arkko summer cottage, Teisko, Finland
Sauna; Swimming (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
I spent the last five days on the beach in Gotland, camping with Swedish cavers in their yearly meet-up. A lot of fun, sunshine, grilling and old and new friends. And caving... more about that later. Heading home now.
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June 2018
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (None,Social)
Rare vihta from own garden. I should cut down an overgrown jungle of trees, but first things first: using the branches for a good purpose :-) And the tree-cutting... maybe some day.
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July 2018
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Sauna
This weekend I was at Tero's cottage in Särkisalo, and decided to check out local caves, if any. It turned out that there's quite a nice set of cracks, roofs, and boulders in Utö, at the Vårdgasberget.
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June 2018
Vårdgasbergetin luola, Utö, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
Back in the Soviet times, pioneer camps were known to be a place for kids to have summer camps, as well as a forum for pushing socialism ideals. But can you find powder at a winter pioneer camp? Apparently you can, as long as you are ready to ride the death trap lifts. And pay your lift rides with vodka.
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(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2018
Elik-Sai Pioneer Camp, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Almatau Pioneer Camp, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Skiing
Helsinki's recreation islands are interesting, also from the point of view abandoned military structures and ruins. Today's excursion was to Sirpalesaari.
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June 2018
Pihlajasaaren öljysäiliön rauniot, Helsinki, Finland; Pihlajasaaren bunkkeri, Helsinki, Finland
Urban-Exploration (Ruins,Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)
While on my way to a conference, I wanted to do a small detour to visit a bunker that I had read about. A Stasi bunker.
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June 2018
Stasi bunker, Machern, Germany
Urban-Exploration (Bunkers); Caving (Man-Made)