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FABLES FROM FINLAND
A Surreal Visual Experience in the Finnish Lake District
This unique collective includes three flying swallows and a musical fountain on the water
Finland has been, in recent years, frequently ranked as the World’s Happiest Country. Not surprisingly, it also happens to be one of my go-to destinations.
I love traveling around this beautiful country, interacting with the friendly locals, savoring local cuisine, and rekindling a love triangle featuring lonkero, the Finnish Long Drink — a combination of gin, grapefruit soda, and tonic, the popular salmiakki (salty liquorice), and, of course, yours truly.
For someone who has made multiple trips to Helsinki before, for work and otherwise, it is not unusual to make a slight change in plans as and when required. On the contrary, taking a detour to the Finnish countryside, or for that matter, looking for yet another day trip alternative if (and when) time permits, comes naturally to me.
The penultimate day of a recent trip was meant to rest and recharge. As such, there were no plans in place. A change of plans following breakfast ensured the intended rest became an exercise in impromptu improvisation. Thereafter, all it took was to board a regional train from Helsingin…
