“September Open” was held in Dalsbruk. It was fine weather the day, so about 7000 people came. There were many shop that represent medieval Europe. People who wear old-style fashion sold grilled pork and apple coated chocolate and so on. I enjoyed the atmosphere of medieval Europe.

I rode a yacht “Eugenia” from 11 o’clock. This yacht was recreate the yacht with the same name. I saw the crew setting the sails and changing the route so close to me. It was very impressive because I never seen it. Peter who is crew of Eugenia said “Eugenia carried rocks to build a light house in Bengtskar.” I was surprised that Eugenia contributes to build a famous light house. I had a great time on the quiet sea.

“Horse fighting show” started 3:30. This show was cool. Soldiers in armor was riding a horse. Then, they jumping over a fire and fighting.

These traditional culture have completely different atmosphere from Japanese culture. So, experiencing different country’s traditional culture was interesting.

www.septemberopen.fi

Thanks for the Book about Eugenia to Torbjörn Hägg & co.

Today is the good day for cycling. So, I cycled a difference route than last time.

At first, I found hiking course. Walking in the woods made me feel relax.

Next, I found blueberry spot. The blueberry was the biggest I have ever seen in Finland.

When I went downhill without stopping in nature I felt so good.

There was less traffic bicycle route I ran today. It is easy to run by bicycle.

I can found new things every time I go cycling in Kimito. If you come to Kimito Island, cycling is highly recommended.

I ran along the coastal route by bicycle on September 4th.

Today, I went through this road.(red line at the second picture) There are much fog in the morning, so I couldn’t see over there well. However, I felt good to ride on bicycle because the road was wide and quiet. Around here, a peaceful landscape was spread out.

These trees are newly planted in a clear-cut area. (The forth picture)

About an hours and 30 minutes later the sea came into view. The fog started to clear up at that time.

There are many summer cottage around here. Old men who talked to me also lives here in summer.

I want to go whole of Kimito Island by bicycle for next time when it is sunny.

I could look over town of Kimito. The landscape was beautiful. I again realized here is nice place.

I went in a forest to picking up mushrooms with Mitsuko. She is Japanese woman and has lived here for 7 years. In Japan, a porcini (herkkutatti) is expensive food, but there are a lot of them grown everywhere in a forest of Finland. I could find various sizes of 20 porcini. The Japanese woman “Mitsuko” said “There are many porcini this year although I can sometimes pick up only one.” In addition, I could find small yellow mushroom “kantarelli”, a mushroom has slimy skin, and a red mushroom. The red one obviously looked a poisonous mushroom. It was fun to find a mushroom appeared suddenly when I walk in the woods. However, I leaned that it is important to remember the road I have walked thorough. I cannot walked in a forest freely and eat food for free so easily in Japan. Therefore, it was so valuable experience.

Mitsuko said “Finally, I found things what I love in Finland. I worked English teacher in Japan. But, I did not like the job. Now, I enjoy working in Lapland in winter and picking up blueberries and mushrooms here.” I want to find my favorite things that I am able to be absorbed. Then, I want to enjoy my life more.

I went to a forest to pick up blueberry with my host mother “Khae”. People can walk in the woods freely and pick up berry or mushroom. (Everyman’s right) In particular, I could find blueberry easily. Every Finnish people I have met said “Blueberry is so small because it was so hot and dry this summer.” Khae said “I could gather two bowl of blueberries last year.” But, I was surprised at the number of blueberries. I never seen so much blueberries before. We could gather blueberries fast by using a tool for picking up them. It took about 1 hour to collect half a bowl of blueberries. In addition, I found puolukka (Finnish) lingon (Swedish). I hear that it is good for making jam.

The last picture is a blueberry pie. It is easy to make it. With “finnish: vaniljakastike, swedish: vaniljsås”, it was so good taste.

Today is “out day” in kindergarten on August 27th. We walked around in the woods and picked blueberries to make blueberry pie tomorrow. Some kids were eating blueberries. They were smiling with putting blueberry on their mouth and nose. They looked so happy.

After picking, kids were running around in the forest. They played freely while shaking a tree and jumping on it. Surprisingly, there are 3 teachers although there are only 11 kids. It is good system because teachers can often communicate with every kids. Children were friendly.

Also, I envy Finnish children because they can play in richness of nature.

I went to Bengtskär on August 25th. Going to Island by ferry is one of my things I want to do in Kimito Island. A little while after I left harbor, I watched many islands and rocky islets. Sometimes, the summer cottage built on the island.

Firstly, I landed on Rosala and visited Viking center. I ate a traditional fish soup and archipelago bread at Chieftain’s hall. The room reproduces Viking age. Inside room is dark, but many candles were lighted. So, I felt as if I have been in Viking age.

Finally, I arrived at Bengskär. It was long time to come here by ferry. This island is apart from other islands. Lighthouse is built by using rock. It was majestic and the atmosphere was mysterious. This is built in 1906 and is the tallest light house in Nordic countries. During World WarⅡ, Russia tried to take it away. The battle was fought here.

I had seated while watching the ocean. And, I talked with some Finnish People. I hear every visitors come from Tampere. Although I could only smile at them at first, I enjoyed talking with them.

The sun came out on the way back to Kasnas. Therefore, I enjoyed the view of the sea from top of the ferry. I was excited to go cruising. It was nice trip.

I went to Sagalund on August 22th. There are many old style building (from18century-19century) such as a school and a house. These buildings have been moved to here from different places in Kimito Island. Mr. Kujala guided me to Sagalund park.

The second picture is an old school. In the past, students use a board of stone to write words. And, they use rabbit’s tale to clean up.

Left side room of this school is schoolmaster’s room. The third ne is old style kitchen.

The fourth picture is old house poor people lived. Compared with house rich people lived, this house is small and dark.

I found small bed. I hear that people who lived here sat sleeping. It is surprising.

This is Villa Sagalund. It was built here and consists of two separate dwellings. The wall color was so beautiful.

Flowers have bloomed in the green garden. The wall of Villa Sagalund is red. Also, that day was good weather and blue sky. So, I could see beautiful color contrast.

SAGALUND is interesting place because I could know the old style lives of people.

There are a lot of nice and quiet place in Kimito Island. I can spend relaxed time there.

Thank you Mr. Kujala for guiding me.

 

Harvesting apples has already began at Soderlangvik Manor in Kimito. I did not know that there are many apple trees in Kimito. Here, a many kinds of apples are growing in a vast extent of land. Walking in apple garden, I met people who are gathering apples. They said that it is hard to harvest because apples are so heavy. They was carrying 10kg　apples. And, they give me one apple. To be surprised, compared with Japanese apple, Finnish apple is not big. It is so fresh and sweet. The season of apples will come soon. I am looking forward to eating various apples. In addition, you can drink apple soda made from apples here at Café Vivan. It was fresh and best with a sweet blue berry cake.

I saw a beautiful landscape from the terrace of manor house. During summer, people can do morning yoga. That sounds fun.

Wherever I go, I can enjoy beautiful scenery of nature. A vast of wheat field spread. There are a lot of high trees such as a white birch and a pine tree. I cannot see these trees in my living area. When leaves are blown by wind and lighted by sun, they are shining and so beautiful. This is the sea. A boat is floating. I think this peaceful landscape is typical of Finland.

Looking up in the sky, I found that the clouds are very near to me. Also, I can look over away in the sky. Compared with sky in Japan

In Kimito Island, there are many cute houses. The distance between house and house is far. And, most of houses have nice yard. However, when I walk or ride a bicycle in Kimito Island, I do not know that which road I can go through.

Kimito Island is consist of 3000 of island and islets. In summer, many people who live in a city come here. Then, they go to island by getting on a ship and spend relaxed time in their summer cottage.

Here, the nature is so close to living area. Therefore, people can enjoy spending time in rich of nature. That is why Finnish people are happy, I think.

On my way to Bengtskär. www.bengtskar.fi

My name is Hinako Tanaka.

I came from Japan. I am a student at Fukuoka Women’s University.

Now, I am staying Kimito Island and train to working at Förlags Ab Lindan Kustannus Oy. I am writing about my experience in Kimito Island on weekly newspaper “Annonsbladet”.

Also, I am going to write about attractions of Kimito Island and culture of Finland on this blog.

I live in a big city Fukuoka in Japan. Kimito Island surrounded by a rich nature. So, I want to enjoy staying here for 2 months.