Finland part 2
Finnland und die Legende vom Elch.
Da haben wir nun das Nordkap erobert und finden uns zwei Tage später in Finnland wieder. Auch hier warnt man uns vor diesen riesigen Tieren. Ich bekomme jedes Mal einen Lachanfall und frage die Leute ob sie mich veralbern wollen. Ich habe seit 2013 nun insgesamt drei Monate in Skandinavien und Lappland verbracht. Niemals habe ich einen Elch in freier Wildbahn zu Gesicht bekommen. In Stockholm im Heimatpark ja, aber sonst nicht. Wölfe, Bären, Vielfraße, sogar ein Wolfsjunges, aber niemals einen Elch. Ich glaube nicht mehr an dieses Märchen, die haben die Alle aufgegessen. Rentiere, ja, in Massen. In der Pampa, auf den Straßen, sogar in Hammerfest sind sie durch den Hafen spaziert. Niemals jedoch einen Elch.
Note: On August 19th at 9:45 p.m. I saw a cow elk with her calf in a meadow. The young, pretty nature photographer was there again. Well, it works with the right people.
We have fun fishing, panning for gold and chatting with Santa Claus. The latter can be experienced in Rovaniemi at the Arctic Circle. It’s the attraction for kids. It’s also done really well. You chat with Santa Claus, in exchange for an obelus, of course, in a cozy atmosphere. He speaks umpteen languages, which is great for the kids. Of course, he doesn’t reveal any secrets. My little friend wanted to know, how do you make your reindeer fly behind the house? You can look at them there and feed them. Santa Claus gave him to understand that this would remain his secret. We move on to the Arctic Circle, which is painted on the ground there. As in all attractions in this world, you can get really poor if you don’t have yourself in control.
Speaking of capital! On our journey south we pass an old gold digging region in Tankavaara. GOOOOLD! But we will certainly stop to improve our travel budget. It is a lot of fun to sit in the cold water and mud with mosquitos on your neck and greed for gold. You get really hot. Everywhere there are boards on which you can see people who have found nuggets worth € 60,000 here. We’ll crack that easily! After a great day in the dirt and sore muscles from panning for gold, we move on for 50 € poorer. Our spoil! Five rubies of mine and three magnesites and a nugget. Worth listening to and be amazed! 500 billion euro.
Once a week we treat ourselves and Max to a break in service. We drive to any campsite with a washing machine and shower. We’ll find it in the Oulanka National Park. Hossa, no, not the place in Finland, but the equipment of the place. You’re in Finland! And what is part of every basic equipment? Saunaaaa. YES! Anyone who thinks they know the Finnish sauna now, I only believe if they have already been to one with the locals. Here sauna means a very wet pleasure. Like under the skin. Lots of water over your head so that it doesn’t get too hot and lots of beer under your skin. Alcohol-free of course :-). The bath in the clear, slightly golden brown colored lake water catapults you straight into heaven. The Finns have what it takes. WE LIKE!
The next morning the friendly boss of the place informed us that the boats that are lying around here are for free use. Those who want to fish are also included in the room rate. Ha, as a Waldwoiperdinger from the mountains, I grab a boat and fishing stuff and set off to sea. Not because I can, no, because I am allowed to. You keep hearing that you don’t have to worry about drunks and small children. You have all the luck on earth. I think that’s true. I don’t drink alcohol so it’s probably the second quality I have. After the third cast I have a big pike on the line for me. Petra only said: “That can only happen to you”.
This was followed by the onward journey to the Russian and Finnish restricted border area. That means gravel road. A lot of fun for Max with Petra at the wheel. The two are becoming more and more inseparable friends.
I will never forget the two nights in the wilderness of Finland. Mux Mäuschen quietly, in a shed, with a camera and wrapped in a sleeping bag, I sit in the taiga. Except for a few crows fighting over food every now and then, absolute silence. So the time goes by and I think of Petra and what we have already been able to experience. Lost in memories, I turn to my right and stare into a bear’s face. Heaven! I think I’m dreaming, but no! That can’t be true, there comes a second one. My pretty young nature photographer next to me instinctively reacts correctly and starts taking pictures. I’ll do the same for her. A total of five bears will present themselves to us.
I think I am dreaming. Whoever thinks that was it, was wrong. After a certain time, a wolverine comes for a walk and positions itself as a model on the other side of the pond where we are lying in wait. The lady said it was extraordinary to be so lucky. How was it with the drunks and toddlers? But that’s enough now. Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! After a while, the sun now envelops the whole landscape in a sea of gold, a lone wolf comes out. I start to howl with happiness. It’s incredible. Like diving back then. A fellow traveler tells me that this is his sixth time here to see a whale shark. I saw him the first time. As I said, I don’t drink alcohol. When my colleague shook me up the next morning, a wolf cub was standing by the pond. I think you can guess how I am doing here in Finland.
These two days burned themselves into my soul. THANK YOU FINLAND!
On the way south you come back to the day and night area. Here in the north, almost every vehicle has a battery made up of several lamps at the front. Max also has these additional lights. Anyone who knows him knows that he, like us, has a few years under his belt. So what to do We have also given him a modern visual aid. What can I say? If you meet Max at night, don’t annoy him, otherwise he’ll sweep you off the street with his new laser LED eyes.
Streets is the keyword! The best roads for species-appropriate husbandry are in Finland. It’s a lot of fun sweeping the gravel roads with Max. Thanks to the all-wheel drive, you don’t immediately go off course in the curves. Max is also the ideal vehicle for going to the shore of the billions of lakes here. Those who stay on the tarred roads do not get the best. Never-ending dreamy banks of lakes that cast a spell on you to linger there to thank God for this beauty.
