Charming Hamina

Time to look back at some of the things we did in Finland these summer.
There are many nice towns in Finland that live up especially during summer time. One of these is Hamina quite near my father's place. We go there once in a while to have a coffee in one of the nice cafeterias. It's one of the few cities with a circular town plan.
Every second year in the beginning of August the Hamina Tattoo military music festival is held there. It's a very nice event. This year we went there to see the historical gardens in the centre that opened up to the public during the festival. There were concerts, pop up cafés and art exhibitions in the charming gardens.

Day trip to Varissaari

There are some nice small islands outside Kotka. The weather had been so cool so we hadn't been at any of them yet. On the 11th of August schools started in Kotka and when they start, also the boat traffic to the islands stops. So now that the weather finally had got a bit warmer we had to hurry to go to at least the nearest islands, which is called Varissaari. It's only a 10 minute's boat ride from Kotka.
We packed our picnic bag and spent a few relaxing hours there. The sea water was still very cold, but Carlotta took a quick swim anyway.

A heart in the nature

Our picnic place in Varissaari

Relax - one of the few moments all three of my children were gathered this summer

The summer restaurant in Varissaari

Old cannons in the summer restaurant