This post is a sequel for an older post from October 14th 2019: https://blogs2.abo.fi/pekkatoivonen/2019/10/14/travelling-on-the-ground-alternative-ways-of-travelling-vol-1/
The corona virus has closed borders, paralyzed much of the aviation industry and devastated many people who rely on tourism for getting their livelihood. In the previous post I was reflecting on how my view on flying has been suspect to change in the last years. This I tell about my thoughts about travelling in Finland this year.
As a kid I travelled much around Finland in the summer. My parents are of the opinion that it’s necessary to know well what the home country has to offer. By doing it, it’s also easier to appreciate what you can find elsewhere. In my adult years I have travelled in Finland mainly because of football. However this year, when I get the chance, I want to do a trip around Finland. This mainly because I want to see new places and I want to also support people who are on dire straits because of corona virus.
Here is a small summary of things one should do when travelling here:
1. Visit a fuel station in Finland
I don’t like so much those megalomaniac modern stations with extensive opening hours that ABC, Teboil, Shell and Neste have, let’s put it straight. If possible, I visit small enterprises. The most charming ones are like time capsules. You get a glimpse of past times. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down with locals, play a round with slot machines, or test the meal options. Here is a list of my personal favourites:
- Solf Service (Strandvägen 594, 65450 SOLF): around 15 km southwest of Vasa, this station feels like watching a 1960’s American film.
- SEO Ömossa (Björneborgsvägen 2300, 64440 ÖMOSSA): 120 km south of Vasa, lovely 70’s interior and atmosphere
- TB Viluksela (Turun valtatie 212, 31520 PITKÄJÄRVI): located in Somero, 80 km northeast of Turku – Åbo, this station is also full of retro atmosphere.
- Vaskikello (Vaskikellontie 420, 86800 PYHÄJÄRVI): located on the way between Oulu and Jyväskylä, this place has a peculiar sight on its yard. Dozens of brass bells that are being played. Worth visiting just for the bells.
- Kiskokabinetti (Pirkanmaantie 1057, 38220 SASTAMALA): around 60 km from Tampere towards Turku – Åbo, this fuel station has a historically interesting sight. A train carriage that used to belong to Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim, the sixth President of Finland.
Those were just a handful of good fuel stations to visit. Naturally you will need a car to visit those places, but by following the tips I gave in the prequel, you can reach these places. 🙂
More to come in the next post.
– Pekka