Seskarö Camping

After checking out of the Storforsen Camping at noon of July 30, we moved on to our next destination: Haparanda-Tornio. These are two municipalities that belong to Sweden (Haparanda) and Finland (Tornio) but considered as one city sharing the Torne River that borders the two countries. Haparanda-Tornio became a common term for these contiguous municipalities.

When we got there, first thing we did was look for a camping site where we could set up our tent before going on a sightseeing expedition. The sites we searched from the internet beforehand didn't seem promising, and so we had to see for ourselves how they looked like. We started scouring from the north, looking for the much-advertised Kuokkolaforsen Camping, which is also beside a rapid. Unfortunately, it was too crowded that time on account of the fish-grilling festival that was being held. So we crossed that out. 

Then we went as far as Finland, to the municipalities of Tornio and Kemi, but that didn't yield good results either. It looks like camping is not a popular thing in this country because we found only one in each municipality, but no tenting allowed.  It's not like in Sweden and Norway where camping sites are found everywhere.

We went back to Haparanda not knowing what to do or where to go. The funny thing is that as we went back and forth, I realized that in just a matter of minutes, I had been to Finland twice. The telecommunications too must have been confused as we kept receiving SMS welcoming us to Finland, as soon as we  crossed the bridge that bounded the two countries, and then again to Sweden, and back again.

At this time, we had established contact with our boss, who happens to be our friend too, and they (he and his two kids and his nephew)  finally made it to Haparanda as he had planned before, though  a little indecisive at first. And so we agreed to meet at Ikea and discuss about where to stay. 

My hubby said that he knew of one camping site in Seskarö, which is one of the numerous islands at the northern tip of the Gulf of Bothnia that divides Sweden and Finland. At first, we were hesitant to go there because it would take us over ten km back from Haparanda, but since we had no other choice, we settled on that. That was not a bad choice because it turned out that the island has several interesting natural spots and fishing areas. The camping site too was cool and almost fully occupied by vacationers. 

Night had set in when we got settled, I and my hubby in our tent, our boss and the kids in two small cabins. It was too late to cook our foods then, so we just ordered our dinner at the camping restaurant and ate outdoor where two musicians entertained the diners that Saturday night. Later on, a boy asked if he could sing with them, and he sang some Eric Clapton's songs with a voice like that of an adult. And yes, he was really good!

We slept soundly that night despite the continuous flapping of our tent as the sea breeze whipped against it. 


The following day, we all agreed to travel around  the Finnish side of the city right up to the north in a convoy. I'm going to write about this trip later.


Hours thereafter, we went back to Seskarö and stopped by a bay to see if we could catch some fish. Unfortunately, the fishes were too small at this time. This one here is so far the biggest that one of the kids caught, though still too small for one man's meal. 

Anyway, just sitting there and watching the evening sun that lingered above the water and looking at the beautiful surroundings felt almost like heaven already.

Back in the camping site, I strolled along the beach with my camera, always on the lookout for something to shoot. The kids went boat-pedaling while my hubby and our boss were sitting beside our tent and conversing happily.

The retreating sun behind the pine trees had cast a soft warm glow over the sea and the sky above it. It was already about 10:00 p.m.,  a cold and windy night, and we hadn't taken our dinner yet. And so we grilled some marinated pork and sausages, which we all gobbled with great gusto. We piled up more woods over the remaining fire to keep us warm and stayed there for some more minutes before we finally retired for the night.

That day was indeed pleasant and full of fun and unspeakable joy. It was our first time to spend a holiday with friends in almost two years since we came to this country.  And that was something new for me, something I'll never forget. May it not be the last time.... 

Weekend Jaunt to One of Europe's Largest Rapids

July 29, Friday, is another one of those days when we have this spur-of-the-moment decision to hit the road again. Another wanderlust attack. Our main target was Happaranda, the last city in the last county of northern Sweden, Norrbotten. And then we had to cross over to a city in Finland.

Storforsen, the rapid that lies in the municipality of Älvsbyn, was not a part of our itinerary, but some force prodded us to go and take a look at that place. Being lovers of the wild outdoors, we gave in to that force and veered to that direction in the northwest instead of burning the coastal highway straight to our urban destinations.

We checked in to the Storforsen Camping, a well-frequented camping site by nature-trippers. This area has a big hotel, a number of "stugor" or cabins, a little church and a good view of the Pite River and its rapids.

Since we would only stay here for a night,  we just hired a little cabin instead of setting up our tent. Like all the other popular camping sites in this country, this one was also full of vacationers, many of whom came from other countries.

Being more north than where we live, this place had brighter nights that time. And so we took advantage of the evening brightness to wend our way through the nature trail leading to the rapids. The trail along the rapids consists mainly of boardwalks with some sections serving as bridges.

Along the way, I kept taking lots of photos from every angle.

Once we got to the heart of the rapids, I was stunned by its immensity and the force of the churning waters whose thunderous sounds palpitated in my chest. 

 

The rapids stretch out over a distance of 5 km in which the riverbed is lowered by 82 meters. The flow of the river is on average 162 cubic meters of water per second, and the highest flow measured in the lower reaches of the river is 1,040 cubic meters per second.

The rocks surrounding the rapids are barred in order to prevent accidents. Visitors can view the whole rapids from the ramps that have been mounted. 

Previously, the rapids were used to transport logs, but now, its surroundings have become a part of a nature park visited by about 150,000 people each year. Strolling along the two-kilometer walkway is pleasurable, adventurous and educational.

There's so much to see and learn here, like information about the river, about human existence by the river and about plants and animals, which can be read at twelve spots along the trail.

Since there's plenty of water and nourishment in this area, vegetation is rich and lush.

When the river was developed into a floatway, part of the river channel was drained, but the dead ponds are still teeming with life. This part was named "Döda Fallet" or The Dead Falls.

Here, visitors can find fantastic bathing spots with warm water among the rocks on sunny summer days.

Several potholes can also be found at the drained area of the Dead Falls, some of which are so deep that one can creep right into them. This heart-shaped one caught my eyes.

Wow, there's just so much to see and admire in this nature trail but alas!, the night wore on and our body told us to take a rest after the day's long journey. So we started back to our little cabin through the same boardwalks that we took, the rumble of the rapids slowly fading behind us. The night was still bright and I glanced back one more time before turning in for the night.

This wonderful day concluded with this beautiful sunset wishing us all to have a restful sleep. Once again, my heart brimmed with gratitude to our Creator who beautified our home planet with such marvelous things that speak volumes about his love and power. 

And the distant murmur of the rapids lulled me to a sweet sleep. 


The following day awaited us with a promise of a new journey filled with exciting adventures.

Summer Idylls

Midsummer has long gone (June 26), but summer is still definitely here, though it's flying away so swiftly. Before it completely fades out, I must pause for a while and take a few moments to extoll some of its glory that is yet "unsung". So let me sing about this summer in lyrics without music, and in photographs.

Summer is not summer without the brilliant sun spreading out its warmth and radiance all over.

The tiny ripples dancing on the surface of the waters catch the sunlight and glitter like stars.

The sky is mostly clear blue with shades that range from light to deep.

Whenever there are clouds, their varied forms make for a picturesque skyscape that is worth photographing.

The sparklingly clear waters of the rivers, waterfalls and rapids keep rolling and splashing blithely in their meandering course  toward the sea or lakes.

  

The spacious sun-drenched beaches with soft white sand teem with people who either pray to the sun for a tanned complexion or have a refreshing dip in the beach's cool waters.

The air is saturated with the sweet fragrance of flowers, which tickles one's senses as he walks by.

Lovely flowers in a wealth of colors thrive everywhere - the parks, gardens of private houses, windows, individual units' patios, apartment buildings' entrances, open fields, etc. 

The berries are out to exude their shiny, colorful, mouth-watering fruits.

A profusion of multi-colored blossoms embellishes the city esplanades, cheering up the heavy-hearted strollers and adding more sunshine to the light-hearted ones.

The birds are having their fill of foods from this summer's bounty.

They float and glide across the cool ponds while basking  in the warmth of the sun.

The countryside scintillates with the glinting waters of the lakes that lie therein and the lush vegetation that surrounds them.

The roadsides are lined with lively sprays of colorful wildflowers that keep on waving to travelers who pass by them and wishing them a wonderful trip.

The nights are bright, affording everyone longer hours to carry on their yearning for outdoor activities. (Recently, though, darkness has been gradually claiming back the night.)

The fishers frequent the lakes, rivers and seashores to feed their passion for fishing and at the same time, savor the moments of silence and the embrace of the natural beauty that surrounds them.

Patios are often occupied by their owners who love to grill and eat their meals outdoor.

Thickly blooming bushes adorn almost every corner of the city, villages and countryside.

Animals and insects also indulge in the delectation of summer treats.

The trees and other vegetation are aglow with  luxuriant verdure that nourishes the weary soul.

These are just some of the endless blessings that summer brings. Should I recount them all, this blog will go on for miles. Here's one short poem I found that describes summer in a nutshell:

Laughter of Lilacs
Rainbows of roses
Songs of the robins
Lily of the valley borders
Sunshine to warm the heart
Oh what joy this season does impart!

by Anne Morrow Lindberg

Let us wallow in the pleasantness of summer while it lasts!