Land of Trees e.g Ante-nullabor

Yes, we are still in Finland and this night we are in Oulo, which is about 600 km north of Helsinki and about 65 degrees north, not quite arctic circle club yet. We drove up today in a long and largely uneventful drive, apart from a cracker thunderstorm and downpour near Jyvaskyla.

Mongolia has virtually no trees for hundreds of km, Finland on the other hand has trees as far as the  eye can see. We passed many very pretty lakes on the way up here, but the overall dominant feature of the scenery was trees, trees and more trees.

We reached Oulu about 5pm and went looking for a Coin operated Laundromat. Could not find one so went to a hotel and fixed up accommodation and asked about where to find a coin laundry mat. Apparently, Oulu does not have a coin operated Laundromat. I found this a bit difficult to believe so, having access to wi fi, started a google search for laundries in Oulu. To my horror, I discovered through other peoples blogs that there is a general nordic aversion to coin operated laundries and that it is true that you will not find one in many places across Finland.

Will soon be time to turn the t shirts inside out.


We found another "Hemingway" Bar in Oulu, apparently there are 2 in Oulu and 4 in Helsinki. Prior to this I thought the one we went to in Prague was unique and a one off, - seems not. Prague was probably nicest and certainly the cheapest. Everything in Finland is very expensive.

Not many pics today - mostly driving in the car. Tomorrow, much the same, lots of driving to get somewhere.

Finnish Roadside Truck Stop/Burger Place

Fish Sculpture near lake stop for lunch, just before storm.

Lake stop for Lunch

Trees, Trees and more trees

For Carol, Ad for Garlic Festival (we think)

Another Hemingway Bar, being franchised like Irish Pubs.

(Watch out Melbourne, you might be next)