Mi-mi-bear Lappeenranta from a leisurely grandmother
I love visiting Finns for peace, tranquility, relaxation and, of course, red fish and caviar. I can’t visit often (distance, so to speak), but once a year I try to visit. I have long wanted to see the sand city on the shores of Lake Saimaa - the result of a sand figure competition that Lappeenranta presents every summer (since 2003) from June to the end of August. But it didn’t work out in any way - Peter is far from us, from which you can get to the border. By the way, this opus of mine may seem quite naive to the residents of St. Petersburg and Vyborg. I understand))
So, it happened. I was in Moscow, from which I decided to go through St. Petersburg along a familiar road. I decided to use the regular bus St. Petersburg - Lappeenranta, because I did not want to fit the trip into one tourist day of a bus tour. I booked tickets for a regular bus through a familiar company Electronic Finland (E-Finland), immediately round-trip with an indication of the place. I began to look for a place to stay for two nights - a problem, sir. More or less economical options are in campsites away from the city.
Train Moscow - St. Petersburg. came at 4.20 to the Moscow railway station. Peter is Peter. At the station, taxi drivers do not load with remarks “Woman, do you need a car? ”. The sentences “Madame, the car is for you” are like a balm for the heart)). I decided to walk to the bus station on the Obvodny Canal, since in the morning there was practically no transport, hand luggage did not bother me, time allowed. So it went along Ligovsky, since the white nights inspire. Tickets were not sold at the box office, only on the website. The bus driver checked the Schengen visa, took a picture of the passport (to be honest, it bothered me a little, but the passengers said that they always do this). The bus was not fully loaded, the driver was an interesting comrade, he drove well, what was necessary - he told, prepared for the border, gave advice, but everything was done with a touch of humor. I liked the business card of Vyborg, the last Russian city, in the form of the letter W. At the border, the Finn asked me about the date of departure from the country and the place of residence - he showed me a return ticket on a regular bus and a paid Booking reservation. And insurance was prepared, but not needed.
Already at noon, we were at the Lappeenranta bus station. The rented apartment was waiting for me only at 16.00, so I went to look for a short way to the house. The bus station and the railway station (nearby) of the city were a little surprised - outwardly they were not very impressed. Noted that not all roads have sidewalks on both sides. While I was walking along the street parallel to the railway tracks, I met practically no one, several cars passed by. It is curious that many private houses from afar resembled small country houses, but only from afar. There are almost no fences, but everything is available in the yards. And where there is a fence, it seems that it does not carry out the function of fencing and protecting the site, but enters the interior, emphasizing trust and openness. Curious. A bit contradictory: after all, the Finns rarely “let” anyone into their family, company, soul, but they do not put up fences up to 2 meters high. So I walked and walked around, went to the Iskander cafe (a lot of locals), tasted a combined lunch (the long-awaited red fish! ). By the way, I found reviews of this cafe on the Internet - everything matches - large portions, a salad bar (as much as you like and in any version), coffee and tea is unlimited (with a sweet bonus - small biscuits-cakes). In general, good and very satisfying.
The rented apartment Modern apartment with great location corresponds to the photos on the Booking website (airport area, which did not interfere at all), I left my review there - I liked everything, the apartment in a new building, fully furnished. The only thing missing was a full-length mirror. The hosts are quite adequate young people.
Lappeenranta is a small town, I was already here, walking around the center. The weather this weekend was gorgeous - warm (almost hot). In the morning I walked to the fortress and the sand castle. Curious. This year the festival was dedicated to the 370th anniversary of the city of Lappeenranta itself. The figures are curious, there are signs in English and Russian, also in Suomi. The entrance is free. Apparently, I wanted to look at these figures for so long that in my imagination I lifted them up). Curious, of course, but not - Wow! -... Nearby - a sandbox for children, a train for an excursion, a swing-carousel, an information kiosk. From there I went to the pier and bought a ticket for the Camilla steamboat along the Saimaa Canal. After lunch, we moved away from the pier, there were a lot of people, they announced the maximum load of the ship up to 360 people. I love water excursions, moral rest. We reached the lock with a maximum water drop of 13 meters. The people gasped and groaned). Information was also provided in three languages. There is a bar, not cheap (expected). Passed through the square on the shore. There was a "quiet" party - karaoke, market stalls, small dance floors.
In less than three days, I did not go around the whole town up and down, there was no such goal. Walked, looked, listened. I just relaxed. ) On the way back to Russia, the bus stopped at Disa * s fish, which made me even more happy, and stopped at the taxi-free station.
In general, I had a good rest. I ate the fish and brought home some. I rode along the Saimaa Canal (before I was here only in winter). I looked at Lappeenranta from a different, unhurried side. I walked, I breathed, I thought. For introverts, this is a complete paradise. For some reason, I associate Lappeenranta with mi-mi-target, although I practically don’t use this term).
Good luck to everyone)
