St. Kitts , Dominica and St. Lucia

Basseterre of St.Kitts and Roseau of Dominica were tiny towns, where we stayed next couple of days. Friendly,easy and colorfull places with many marks of their colonial history. In Dominica three of us from the ship, Peeter, his friend John, both from Canada and me,took a taxi for sightseeing around the Island. I had met Peeter earlier, a very pleasant guy, a child refugee from WWII-time Estonia via Sweden to New World. His original home was on beautiful Saaremaa Island, where I have been twice. For those readers, who might not know, we are a small racial group of same family in Europe consisting of three nations, Hungary, Estonia and Finland, who are like brothers emotionally , especially trough very tough times in history, until recent decades.
Anyhow on the tour trough rain forest and statusque hills almost mountains, we came on the foot of a local attraction, the Trafalgar Falls. Peeter and I decided to climb 15 minutes to reach them, but John decided not to. Well, I have seen Niagara and Iguazu Falls and after heavy climbing, these were for me like comparing Jumbo Jets to swallows. Afterwards we made a little tour around Roseau,to get for John something to drink before back to the ship.
Next day in St.Lucia, Ruth had agreed with the young Irish / Estonian couple to go to Pidgeon Island to Rodey Beach in Castries. This couple was not a couple but shared a cabin and were only school friends and had accidentally met each other onboard, also Pidgeon Island was not an Island, maybe once when Arawak-indians were living there some 1000 years ago. before Carib-indians killed them, and Spanyards killed on their turn the Caribs. I was asked to join them, and I did it with pleasure. We later swam a little , but I soon found some half a mile away a little old hut, a romantic place with excellent rum. I stayed there, when the others climbed up to hill to the old Admiral Rodneys Fort. To be continued...

Getting to Caribbean and Antigua

I really did enjoy a most pleasant sail to Antigua,to our first harbour after seven days. I had been there before, and after a walk around the streets of the capital ST.Johns, I did find a couple of souvenir T-shirts at the market place at expensive prices in my mind, compared with those of Far East. But,who knows, maybe "Made in Honduras" quarantees a better quality. I'll be very happy to wear those next summer on the streets of Helsinki. Then I surprisingly did find a street terrasse, very near of our ship, where a most beatiful waitress served me with the best rum punches. Several colleagues from the boat did join me, if because of her or thirst or sudden rain of five minutes, I do not know. Next day we were already in Basseterre of St.Kitts.
To be continued...

Six days at sea

Just at sunset we left Madeira on Nov.22. Ahead of us was nothing else than salty water for next 164 hours, almost 7 days before Antigua. It was easy and comfortable life onboard, the weather was mostly splendid and the drinks cheap. The ocean was mainly very calm, and I did not see any see sick passengers. I myselfs never have any
difficulties even on rough sea, on the contrary I do enjoy a little sway.
Among the passengers there were not too many interesting people from my point of view, and that's why I spent a lot of time by myselfs reading or listening music from my ipod on the bar deck, where the good Filippinos kept care of my glass. At the dinner table we were six women and three gentleman, all single and from Great Britain, except one lady from Israel and me. I found these dinners quite boring, especially not always understanding different, fast spoken dialects in noisy circumstances. On Nov.24. I had my 70th birthday, got a cake and a crew band played and sung beautifully to me Filippino songs including Happy Birthday to You. That evening I missed my new ship mate like she called herself, the lady from Israel, Ruth. She and another lady Sheila, both in their forties, were the only females with a couple young Filippino waitresses I did communicate more than "Good Morning".
Then next day Ruth came rushing to me at the dinner table, took my hand and told to me that she now has a table for us two only. We then, during the last 10 days, had our own table, next to two nice, young couples one originally from Hungary, the other one half Irish half Estonian, all living in England. To be continued...

Crossing Atlantic Ocean by "loveboat"

Just four days after my return from Italy I flew to Malaga in Spain to participate on a cruise of 16 days with m/v "Discovery" ( known as "Loveboat" in 1980's TV-serie).
I spent the evening and next day in the nostalgig alleys and bars of the old town , where I used to live in 1964-65. The city was a Phoenician harbour already over 3000 years ago before Carthaginians and later Romans took it over. Berber troops, called Moros by Spanish people,conquered southern Spain year 711 and Christians on their turn took Malaga in 1487 and Granada 1492.
In the evening of Nov.18 we sailed towards Gibraltar, which I have visited several times. Next day I just strolled on busy streets of this British rock city, sipping good wines and lazily looking the windows. And I found a fine whisky colour leather jacket for 200 euros! The morning after we were in Cadiz, another very old, charming Spanish harbour city. Continuing the same procedure, some wine, some nice food in tiny family restaurants near market place, I managed to find very suitable, but inexpensive shoes for my new leather jacket. Then I made a decission. This is enough of shopping, maybe some souvenir T-shirts from Caribbean. We left that evening and sailed the whole day and next night to arrive to Funchal in Madeira in the morning of Nov.22. I found, after making a round tour with a double-decker sightseeing bus, the city very beautiful but boring. The replica of Columbus's "Santa Maria" 1:1 in harbour was most interesting. To be continued...

Fantastic experiencies in Liguria and Piemonte

I only make a short notice about our(10 persons)five days trip to Italy last week.
Genova was a superinteresting city on a narrow coastline, partly mediaeval town with tiny streets but big height differencies.
Torino was just an opposite one as former capital. Bright avenues with massive royal palacies at wide piazzas with the horsemen statues of their famous heroes.
But the best was not the beautiful Piemonte country side, after many cathedrals and museums in cities, not even the great local food. But the excellent wines at the cellars of Marchesi di Barolo. Tasting these superior rosso's and bianco's with excellent parmesan or some delicate bread was awesome. With a good company I had a great Week.

My trip plans in near future

I have been staying in Helsinki almost three(!) months, so it's time to seek new places to conquer. Later today I will join by invitation of an Italian travel agency, free of any charge, a group of ten Finns.We'll fly to Milan in Italy, and shall study Genova and Torino plus some other smaller towns in Piemonte area for five days.
On November 17. I am on my way to Malaga, Spain to start from there just next day a 16 days cruise to Bridgetown, Barbados. During the cruise we shall have a few stops at various harbours. But only three of those, Funchal,Domenica and St.Kitts are new for me. After the cruise I will have a six days stay at Barbados, being back home on December 11. One month later January 15. I'll back in Caribean, now in Cuba with some friends for 12 days.

Jazz in Helsinki

My home town Helsinki has always offered pretty good jazz with world famous players and
singers. During the years we have had the honour to listen such great stars like Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Lee Konitz, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dee Dee Bridgewater and many, many more. The latest visitor is tenor sax player Benny Golson, one of those few great names from fifties still alive, who plays in our new "Birdland" jazz club on three evenings. He entertains twice with a trio, and last Friday with UMO big band, a Finnish jazz band, 14 members in brass section and three men backing them with piano, bass and drums. I was there, and it was a fantastic jazz experience.
Yesterday afternoon I did enjoy at " Storyville's" Tin Roof-street bar Happy jazz played by a Finnish 9-members house band. And this will be for me a normal Saturday afternoon matine'e in future too, when in Helsinki.

Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, Germany

I had a short visit to Germany ten days ago. I first flew to Düsseldorf, where I spent a nice evening with my old friends the Gloystein family. Peter I learned to know 1968,when he studied and worked here in Helsinki. His charming English wife Jean I already met before their honeymoon trip to Finland early seventies, and their children beautiful Nikola and brave adventurer Henning I know since their childhood. Now I also met Nikola's sweet baby son for the first time. It was pure luck that the family could be seen together as Nikola lives in Munich and Henning in London.
Next day Peter and I drove about 600 km in five hours to Bayreuth, which is a very beautiful, small Bavarian town. On the same Friday evening, we sat at the world famous Richard Wagner Festspielhalle, designed by the maestro himself in 1870's. Acustically fantastic even not so comfortable music hall gave me an experience of a life time with operas from "The Ring" "Rheingold" on Friday and "Die Walküre" on Saturday. I shall always be grateful to Peter, having invited me to these memorable occasions.
This was for me probably the end of Summer season, because Germany still was sunny and warm but Helsinki very cool after two months sunshine and record hot heath wave +37,2 C here.

A trip around Lake Ladoga in Russia

Last week a group of 37 of us from Finnish Club made an interesting four days journey by bus around Lake Ladoga in Russia. We visited several interesting places there, partly in former Finnish territories, Russia took over in WWII 65 years ago. My parents were both born there in Karelia.
Today I shall fly to Germany, to visit the Operas of Richard Wagner at Bayreuther Festspiele, "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walküre", tomorrow and on Saturday. I will be back in Helsinki on Sunday evening.

Fantastic summer in Helsinki

I did not write for long time because of my lazyness, due maybe the heat wave since many weeks here. But I have also been mighty busy with my now 5 months old Bison frise puppy Niki, who's everybody's darling. He is really a trap for ladies, and I did not have any difficulties to have a few pleasant dinner dates with some very attractive ones. There has been nice concerts and naturally very lively terrace life with cool drinks. If you have not visited Helsinki yet, you should come to see this fantastic summer city asap. Just like my new, beautiful friend Tasha from California said last night after some ciders with me: "Helsinki is one of the most beautiful places I ever have been". And I do agree having been all over in the world.

Getting a new puppy

Since my dear dog "Viki" died last Sept.25, I never did feel myself totally alright.
Even I did have several splendid trips, partly in very good company, but I somehow hated to come back to my empty home, not having this tiny Bison Frise with its smiling face, barking different sounds, jumping with wildly wagging tail. All people, who ever owned a dog know what I mean.
Now, day after tomorrow I'll fly to Oulu with Anna, who is more than just a pretty girl friend of my son Kristian. From this Northern Finnish city we will pick up a three months old puppy (a Bison Frise- boy too) and fly back to Helsinki with it, actually with him. I really am very excited!

Visiting Saaremaa Island in Estonia

Just yesterday I came back from a long weekend on the most beautiful Saaremaa. I was a group leader of 25 members of our Finnish Club, and I am very proud to say that everybody seemed to be absolutely satisfied with our program of four days in this sunny, very friendly and pleasant rural atmosphere. The local farmer's food was excelent, but for most men (13) the experience to remember, was an old smoke sauna on last Friday evening. The boat trip on Viking Xpres took 2,5 hours from Helsinki to Tallinn (Estonian capital) and then a bus trip 4,5 hours, including a ferry of 30 minutes, to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa. This island will be one day a really popular tourist spot, having today the most visitors, maybe 80% from Finland, but even we are not too many down there. The golf players and hunters have already found there their posibilities, however Saaremaa offers much, much more.

Back from Indochina

We ( our group of 27 Finns )really had good luck with our flight from Bangkok to Helsinki last week. First we were afraid that Bangkok airport might be closed because of the riots in the city.
Secondly we just arrived to Helsinki a day before when the airport of Helsinki was closed due the vulcanic erruption in Iceland.
Our stay onboard of 5Star m/s La Marguerite was most pleasant during our seven days cruise at Mekong river. We also very much enjoyed our visits in Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City)in Vietnam, as well as in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
In Vietnam at Mekong Delta we stopped in several small towns or villages to enjoy the friendliness of local people as well as the mostly very good but simple food.
Our main goal however was the ancient Angkor Vat, near Siem Reap. Angkor Vat, Angkor Thom and other temples are one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and naturally incredible interesting ,enchating and fascinating.
The whole trip took exactly two weeks , and as much I know everybody was very satisfied including those 52 other ones from Australia, USA, England, Germany and Netherlands. Among those nationalities, we Finns were the biggest group.
I was lucky too, because I as the only Finn was invited even twice to dine with the ship owners Mr.Rudi Schreiner and Miss Kristin Karst both from California and Mr.Dang Bao Hieu from Saigon. I could praise the ship and the trip much more but I advise you to contact AMA WATERWAYS or INDOCHINA SAILS to explore yourselves this wonderful experience.

Once more again to Far East

This is not an April joke. In a few hours I'll have with some friends of Finnish Club
a flight to Hong Kong with a continueing one to Saigon. After a couple of days stay there we shall board a luxury river cruiser to Siem Reap for eight days.
The winter here was like in old times, very cold and a lot of snow. But I did not experience almost anything of it, because of my stay in Thailand. I came just back to Finland, when the heavy cold was over and the spring did start. Well, we still have plenty of snow in parks and forests, but I guess that most of it has vanished, when we come back in two weeks time.

Back home from Thailand

After a very long travel time,35 hours, I arrived to winter Helsinki day before yesterday. The reason was that I had to wait the continuing flight from Hongkong to Helsinki for over 13 hours. Partly I could use it for re-visit Hongkong's night life, which I so much enjoyed in the past. But for my big disapointment it was not like it used to be. Only the night bar at Holiday Inn Golden Mile was lively and enjoyable.
Maybe I do not know where are the best places to go today.
I then had to take the last airport express train at midnight, and was spending the rest of the night on a bench at the airport. All bars were closed but I found a small 7eleven shop from where I got some cold Tsingtao beers for the night. In the morning after 7 o'clock all bars were open again and with pleasure I consumed a couple of Bacardi cokes before my flight. I then naturally did sleep fine, seven hours out of ten.

Koh Tao and Koh Samui

I spent one week on Koh Tao before continuing here to Koh Samui last Saturday. Koh Tao is simply a paradise, one of the most beautiful islands I have ever visited anywhere in the world.
There is really not very much to do, but if you are interested in diving or snorkeling,
it is your place. Tourists are mainly young backpackers especially from Sweden. So I was very pleased to look those passing long legged blonds, when sipping my daily drinks at my favourit Sairee Hut beach bar.
Koh Samui is already another world, even so near. You can see here any nationalities and all ages, and especially Chaweng area offers to you anything you might wish.I have reported earlier from this island, because have been here so many times, so I guess there is nothing to add. I still stay here for two more weeks, before returning via Hong Kong back to Helsinki.

Bar girls, grasshoppers and ants

My first week this time in Thailand has been very pleasant. I have met some old friends from Helsinki and made some new ones too. Especially easy to make new friends is in the evening, when sitting with your old chaps or alone in the girlie bars. You will not be long alone , if you are not insisting it. Just a quick look and a smile and some pretty night bird is flying to your table. They normally behave very well, and are not very aggressive to get a drink or trying to sell other activities. Mostly if they like you , you will get free of charge some head or shoulder massage, and very professionally too. One evening two pretty ladies , I already happened to know, sat with me. Then a carriage went by selling some snacks. The other of the young women went to by something to eat. It was quite dark , and I first did not see what it was , when they offered those grilled snacks to me too. I got some light then and could realize that I had tasted grasshoppers and ants for the first time in my life.
Yesterday afternoon after one pint of beer at the most far away end of the Hua Hin beach, which I had reached trough recommendation by bus , I decided to walk back along the beach to Hilton Hotel at the other end . It took one hour and 40 minutes. After wards I heard that the distance was 7 km. My legs did pay the price, I feel it today.
Late tonight I shall move to Koh Tao, in which I will arrive tomorrow around 9am.

Hua Hin, Thailand

I did arrive here after some delayed flights finally 22 hours later I left Finland. For my big surprise Cathay Pacific, which always has been my favourit airline company, did not wait for us, 15 Finnish passengers for our continuing flight from Hongkong to Bangkok, even Finnair did land 20 minutes before their scheduled flight. So we had to wait China Airlines flight for three more hours. We only got a voucher of HK$90, which was enough to 1,5 pint of Heineken beer.
When I left Finland there was pretty cold -17C , and here is +37C. But beer and food are good, as well as the general feeling with local bar girls . This my first visit in Hua Hin , and I am surprised of its clean atmosphere. The place is very
compact and pleasant, but especially cheap. I pay in a tiny 3star centrally located Hotel Chaba Chalet baht 4000 a week, which is about 90 euros or US$130 ! Probably next Friday night I will continue to Koh Tao by bus and speed catamaran,
to be there early in the morning.

Nothing new from Helsinki

It has been lately kind of empty periods in my life. I do not know, what would be interesting to report to my readers. However I do have some friends, who contacted me and insisted I should report time to time about my doings.
Well, since I got back from Thailand, I have had all kind of smaller problems,luckily not with my health, but with things to build up a bad mood.
I have not had very special luck with pretty ladies, even experiencing
some good moments. So I am spending times mostly from late afternoon to midnight in some of my favourite places like "Kiiski" or other ones.
I plan to fly soon back to Thailand for one month or so. Let's see!