Between Summer and Snow by Wilma Hurskainen in Suomenlinna Sea Fortress Island, Helsinki, Finland

We have very short summers in Finland but the winters are not what they used to be, either. So to me it feels like we spend most of the year in a chilly, cloudy nothingness, either waiting for the sun or the snow.

Luckily we have the sea.

The picture was taken at the island of Suomenlinna, a 15-minute ferry ride from the center of Helsinki. There are a plenty of islands on the coast of Helsinki and Suomenlinna, which hosts a historical sea fortress, is one of the most popular and one of the easiest to visit.

In the end of September the tourists had left and the empty rocky beach was covered in fog. There was a lonely sound of a distant ship honking and then silence. Drizzle.

Name:Wilma Hurskainen

Place you live: Helsinki

Place your photo was made? Suomenlinna Sea Fortress Island off Helsinki.

Occupation: Photographer

Preoccupation: Horses

A perfect day in Helsinki? A beautiful day in June. Waking up early in the morning to see that the sun is high up already. Bicycling through the city, having morning coffee at Hakaniemi market square. Then taking off to one of the islands such as Suomenlinna to walk, explore, have picnic and drinks in the sun. Getting back to the city towards the evening and visiting one of the public saunas in Kallio. Having dinner at a small Asian restaurant, bicycling back home and watching the late evening slowly turn into a white night.

If someone was visiting, what must they do? Get to know some Finnish people. It might first seem difficult but a bit of drinking together will make it easier.

What is the best thing about your spot? There´s a lot of nature and water.

What is the worst? The summer is way too short.

A little known fact about where you live? No, there are no polar bears in Finland.

Where is your favorite place in the world? On the road. Preferably on a horse.

wilmahurskainen.com

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