13.12.10 – Helsinki is surrounded by 300 islands known as the archipelago. Some of the most popular islands can be reached by ferry service during the summer months. One of the closest islands, Uunisaari, is so close to the shore that a pontoon bridge is set up during the cold winter months. The island is just a short walk from my apartment, so I headed out late in the afternoon, just before sunset. Although the island is popular in the summer months, now that it was covered in snow, only a few lightly travelled trails lead to the edge of the island. Overlooking the ocean, as strong off shore winds streaked the ocean with lines and capped the waves white, I enjoyed a brief sense of solitude before the bitter cold forced me back home.
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[...] The Coast of Uunisaari (tbeidler.wordpress.com) [...]
[...] – I loved being out on Uunisaari the other afternoon but I had to cut it short because the wind was blowing and the sun was setting, [...]
It’s amazing to me that this place is within walking distance from your apartment.
looking at these incredibly well crafted photos, i think of a lyric in a song by suzanne vega called “Solitude Standing”. Winter in Finland, on an island nearby, where “Solitude stands in the doorway”.
Love Vega and a great song!
Love that Dave. Where “Solitude stands in the doorway”, perfect.
I recently heard that Finland has the most islands of any country in the world with almost 180,000! I found that amazing.
Beautiful photos, Tom.
Sara, when I first read your comment I thought you might be mixing up your facts with how many lakes does Finland have but you’re right. I found this on wikipedia with references from Statistics Finland.
I had always heard about 180,000 lakes but I had no idea there were as many islands!
Hi Sara and Tom,
I just recently read that Finland has 3 X more islands than Greece! I’ll tell you what we should do next summer when you get here Sara: rent a sail boat and sail from island to island!
Jaana