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Posts Tagged ‘baltic’

Kihnu Island in the Baltic

September 10th, 2009 No comments

Kihnu lies 12 km (7 mi) off the coast of Estonia and is the largest of more than a dozen islands in the reefs and shallows of the Gulf of Riga. It is 16 sq km (6 sq mi) in area with a low ridge running down the middle and only 9 m (30 ft) above sea level at its highest point.

The island farmsteads are enclosed by forest, which prevents soil erosion as well as protecting the islanders from the bitter northeast winds.

Huge broadleaf trees stand like sentinels in the coastal meadowlands that lead to a 36 km (22 mi) long shoreline of dunes and shifting sands where the scent of juniper is everywhere in the air. The island is a nesting place for hundreds of bird species and the coastal reef is home to the last grey seal colony in the Baltic.

The first historical documents relating to Kihnu date from the late 14th century but excavations show that the island was inhabited, at least during the summer months, from around 1500 BC.

It has at various times been under Danish, Swedish, Estonian, Polish and Russian rule, reflecting the turbulent history of the Baltic.

Since time immemorial the men here have been seafarers and fishermen, skilled at woodwork and shipbuilding, while the women are wholly responsible for working the land and keeping alive the rich island culture of music, dance and poetry.

A trip to Kihnu transports you back in time into a fascinating folk culture. The inhabitants speak their own language and wear traditional homespun costume. Each woman makes her family’s clothes with intricately knitted, woven and embroidered patterns symbolising ancient legends.

The islanders are symbiotically bound up with their harsh environment, their survival entirely dependent upon cultural loyalty and community sharing. Against all odds, they have managed to hang onto their heritage at the same time as welcoming strangers to their shores.

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The Charm of Sweden

April 26th, 2009 No comments

A Swedish holiday is a rare opportunity to be totally lost in the beauty of nature in its manifold variations. You have the vastness of the sea with all its innate grace, stunning forest areas, great lakes in different parts of Sweden, besides excellent wine and dine places in Stockholm. Nobody returns disappointed after sweet Swedish holidaying.

Stockholm itself is renowned either for family and single visit. The seven islands that make up the town serve endless shades of nature’s attractiveness, to be adored and cherished. The metropolitan area itself is seven hundred years old but modernism is a way of life at this point. At this time itself you taste the air of Baltic Ocean, calm lakes, parks, cultural extravaganzas and exceptional food.

You realize surely eminent museums to fill up your desire for knowledge also. It is often said that Stockholm by no means quiets and you must accept the thought that fancy the edge of Stockholm equally. There are unbelievably admirable spots in the big islands and you are suggested to walk and forget yourself in the ravishing relaxed charms of the zone.

Huvudskar, Ridderholman, Djurgardslanalen and a host of incomparable arenas are absolute ravishment for giving comfort to the spirit. Besides there are imperial palaces and unique spots of sight seeing.

Southern Sweden bestows you a resort to view the environment with eminent, fertile forests and lakes and natural scenery. One can feel one’s possessing a bungalow and the huge depth of the ocean as partner, or arrange for minimum days facing one of the numerous lakes which grant you a belief that you own the lake! There are enchanting urban also attracting for a fascinating evening through the dark of the night! Skane, Torekov are the towns that would treat you as their spoiled kids!

Should you prefer Northern Sweden, you will be rewarded with awesome Alpine heights, extraneous fields and nature’s calm elegance. You would wish to constantly live there and it may possibly come by no grief for such a decision either! And don’t disregard that this is the land of Midnight Sun either.

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden and in no way less bountiful than the first one in offering varying shades of nature’s grace and charm.

There are buffets, discount hotels, dorms, important accommodations in numerous spots, furthermore isolated cottages and car trips everywhere the grassy park meadows. Hotel accommodation facilities can be booked online are accessible. Cheap hotel deals are within reach in every place in Sweden and it is advisable to bring to mind the quotations of diverse hotels and compare the prices of different hotels and seek for the facilities they offer to the guests. The rates are not high compared to Paris or London and if somewhat you can realise to admire the beauty of the countryside in its zenith of charm, Sweden takes the cake.

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