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| Between Sweden and Finland, Land of the Midnight Sun - almost |
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| Flag of the Aeland Archipelago |
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| Thousands of Islands make up the Archipelago |
Most of us have never heard of this little place, one of
many islands in the Archipelago of Aeland almost in the middle between Helsinki
and Stockholm. Latitude in the sixties, which makes is as far north as
Anchorage, Alaska. The Weather Gods smiled on us, after enduring artic cold in
places like Talinn, St. Petersburg and Helsinki (more of them after my repeat
visit to them during the next two weeks). It felt like spring!
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| Finnish Welcome for Prinsendam |
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| Rocks, Shallows, small islets are ever where... |
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| Old marker for sailors.. |
Mariehamn is not exactly a hotspot of tourism, although many
Fins and Swedes come over by ferry to enjoy a little island life, however, they
probably know the scope on a Sunday and bring a picnic.
Mariehamn lies on the end of a small island, wedged between
two shores of the sea. It consists of about 2 short main street and a few tree
lined residential avenues. It has a church, a theatre, some shops and a large
number of restaurants and cafes, which are all closed on a Sunday (our visiting
day), a handful only opens in the afternoons or evening. All shops are closed
as well.
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| To think that a couple of months ago, I went around Cape Horn... |
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Restaurant Floating Molly's
Open Mon-Fri 9-5
Saturday and Sondays - closed! |
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| So are the shops -closed |
So - nothing much to do but enjoy the sun, sniff the scent
of blossoming linden trees lining the streets, and walk along the shore-side
promenade to an open air museum of shipbuilding (museum and shop closed),
stroll deserted main street (inhabitants must have been sleeping off their
Saturday night partying), peer into shop windows filled with local crafts or
the usual necessities for remote island life and gave the closed museums a
cursory glance from the outside. Shopaholics beware – nothing going on here!
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| Spring in the Far North |
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| Shipbuilding is still going on, albeit on smaller scale - lovely wooden boats |
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| Out for a turn on the bay |
One ice cream vending stand had opened its shutters and one
village café as well. Predictably these were almost being overtaxed with the
onslaught of Sunday visitors most originating from Prinsendam. Finnish Beer
flowed freely, as well as coffee and chocolate.
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| No, not Anal Retentive - but Entrance to a parking lot! |
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| Centre of Mariehamn on a Sunday |
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| Some lovely quaint places are unfortunately closed in downtown |
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| Typical heart shaped Linden tree leaf |
It appeared that summer must bring many sailing and fishing enthusiasts,
judging by the many free berths in quite a number of marinas on either shore. One
of the local sailing clubs was preparing for a Sunday afternoon regatta. A few
intrepid sailors were messing about on their boats. Charter boat companies
advertised their services to customers yet to arrive. Ferry Companies kept up a
lively to and fro from one of the many ship berths during the whole day.
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| Ice cream for man and his best friend |
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| Church in Mariehamn |
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| Historic buildings along the main avenue of Mariehamn |
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| Awaiting the summer sailing crowd... |
The Island was an important ship building port years ago.
One of the surviving ships was tied up just behind Prinsendam, the Pommern. She
is a tall masted sailing ship with a cavernous hull, which used to deliver
grain to Australia. Today she is a museum.
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| The Pommern, Prinsendam and three ferries in Mariehamn Harbour |
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| The Pommern |
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| Historic Customs Shed |
By sheer luck and aimless strolling in the further reaches
of the shores I found that the sailing club had a public restaurant with a
sunny inviting terrace, mercifully open and overlooking the ‘sound’. I
discovered my spot, enjoyed the sun, peaceful surroundings, as well as a
fantastic lunch – probably the only place serving lunch in town.
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| Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia |
Mariehamn – albeit shut tight – was a welcome respite after
almost non-stop sightseeing for the last week.
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| View from the aft deck of Prinsendam |
