What a fantastic trip we had in Åland! Now we are in Finland, and soon we are going to Tunisia. But then we will actually come back to Finland again. Are you keeping up with the times? No, not us either. Happy Friday!
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Åland
We spent almost ten days at Åland in our motorhome, during a trip in cooperation with Visit Åland. We managed to see a lot, and it was very interesting. This time it was not only Mariehamn and Eckerö, but also Geta, Sund, Föglö and Kökar.
We were fascinated by all the flowering apple trees, all the boathouses, all the locally produced food and all the ferry connections. It was also incredibly fascinating to learn more about the time when Åland was Russian, and all the dramatic things that happened during that period ...
Isn't it true that we Swedes have little knowledge of these historical events? At least we felt we did ... We'll tell you more soon!
The high season in Åland is quite short, and in some cases it felt like we were here in "pre-season". Some places were closed, others opened when you showed up, and others had their own solutions... Check out the 24/7 place below, which we found on a hiking trail in Föglö. There were soft drinks, crisps, chocolate and ice cream, and a box to put cash in. Not so bad after all!
Finland
We have now arrived in mainland Finland. We took a ferry from Kökar to Galtby in the Finnish archipelago, and then continued in the direction of Turku, over bridges and by car ferries.
We have both free-camped and stayed at campsites: Solliden Camping and Ekenäs Camping. Both campsites are scenic and well-maintained with good standards and friendly staff. It is also possible to speak Swedish at both campsites.
We are now in areas where relatively many people speak Swedish. We haven't quite managed to figure out exactly when Swedish works and when it doesn't. In these areas it often goes well, but sometimes it is English that applies. Regardless, people are very helpful everywhere!
Everyday behaviour
Our plan is that in the future we will look into the Finlandbut we haven't had time to see much yet. Since we came here, we have mostly stood still to do everyday chores and work. Lately, we've been busy with various sponsored assignments, and we don't really have time for things like cleaning, washing, shopping, taking care of finances and everything else that needs to be done to make everyday life work.
We have had a lot of trouble with the internet (and bills) after changing phone companies and have made a hundred phone calls about this, it seems. I (Helena) have also fallen behind with the articles that I write on behalf of a motorhome company. So I have been writing and writing these days ...
In addition, Peter has finally begun a repair project in the motorhome that he planned a long time ago, but which we have not had time for. But now! It's not finished yet, but we'll show and tell you when it's finished...!
Preparations for the Destination Square at Elmia Caravan Motorhome 2023.
Yes, and that's how we work very much to prepare the brand new "Destination Square" on the Elmia Caravan Motorhome 6-10 September 2023! You are coming, aren't you?
The F-Hall (the big tent) will focus on places to visit during the trip, with exhibitors, speakers, tastings and lots of great prizes to be won. We have just updated our Destination Square page with speakers and exhibitors. Read it here: Destination Square 2023.
Almost time for Tunisia
We are also slowly preparing to travel very soon to Tunisia! It's been several years since this beautiful North African country had a direct flight from Sweden, but now it's time! Starting on 19 June 2023, the Arlanda - Tunis route will be operated once a week, on Mondays. We are travelling with the first flight!
We won't have time to write here at FREEDOMtravel during the trip (well, maybe a little greeting on "Happy Friday"), but if you want to follow our adventure, you can follow along in real time (more or less) on Instagram:
Film from the High Coast
What else? Well, Peter has put together a film of our visit to the city of High coast! You can check it out here ...
Best this week
Best this week? The whole trip to Åland was fantastic! It was especially nice to visit a former colleague who comes from Åland and now lives there. Very nice to see her!
Your turn... What can you highlight as positive from the week?
The week ahead
We have our "motorhome base" in Finland at the moment, but will soon fly to Arlanda and on to Tunisia. When the trip in Tunisia is completed, we will continue our route north through Finland ...
Here at FREEDOMtravel you can expect some mixed content during the week. There will be an Åland report or two, but also guest reports from Sweden, Europe and an exciting city-country. In other words, good and mixed!
Did you miss the last Happy Friday? Read the To Åland with Finnlines - on new motorhome adventures
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The Adventure of the Future says:
Good luck on your journey, you've got your "arse full", indeed.
Looking forward to more, following you faithfully now.
Boa black!
16 June 2023 - 8:52
Helena says:
Thank you so much! Yes, it's always busy ... 😉 And how nice that you want to follow!
16 June 2023 - 17:10
TellMeMore says:
In short, in Finland you can't figure out when you can get service in Swedish and when not. Of course, in the Finnish-Swedish coastal areas, Swedish "should" work, but it's not that easy. I myself live in an all-Swedish town that you passed but did not visit. Here too, some Finnish-speaking entrepreneur can buy a campsite or a hotel without understanding the value of Swedish and suddenly the traveller has come to Suomi even though they are in Finland, it's a bit like travelling to Spain but only sticking to Swedish hotels and bars, you miss the genuine... My tip is: start in Swedish. If nothing else, it shows that Swedish is needed. And it's not for the sake of tourism but for ours, we who live here and live our lives in Swedish. Because Swedish in Finland is not a funny joke, it's our mother tongue and it's not always easy to understand. Good luck!
16 June 2023 - 11:55
Helena says:
Thank you very much for your comment! Valuable to hear from someone who lives on site!!! We have mostly tried with Swedish first (here on the coast) and often it has been fine. In a shopping centre in Turku, it worked about half the time 😉 It is also very different if the signs are in both languages or only in Finnish. At the pharmacy in Turku, it was only in Finnish and I had some difficulty finding it, but then they immediately came up and offered help in Swedish, without me asking.
16 June 2023 - 17:17
Ditte says:
I am delighted that your visit to Åland was so successful. I've been there a lot because my husband is from Åland and I have a good understanding of their history. But many Swedes don't.
The best thing this week is our stay on the small Greek island of Thassos and that I have received some new job offers that seem exciting. Let's see what happens.
Wishing you a nice stay in Tunisia. Smiling a bit and thinking about the time in the 70's I worked there as a tour guide. (Yes, I have been there a lot after that too.).
16 June 2023 - 13:47
Helena says:
I understand that you have been a lot in Åland, and that you also know the history!!! Wonderful with visits to Greece and exciting with job offers!
16 June 2023 - 17:18
BP says:
Well, you have certainly not been in any trouble. You could be worse off, so to speak. Laughed at all the laundry hanging in Freedom. Reminds me of England, where they also hung the laundry indoors over everything that was free standing and horizontal...
Hope you get away to Tunisia as planned. Nice that you are on the first flight:-)
Take care of yourselves!
16 June 2023 - 20:26