I had a real deal vacation! I can't be more happy about it. I relaxed so much I am even tired and totally overwhelmed with emotions! Karelia is so beautiful, I want to come back there. The nature and history is beautiful. And the food was awesome too, just in case. Now I can say I love Karelia for everything good there is about it (including my own husband by the way).
It is the first post in series. It is about historical objects. Above you see my travel outfit and fortress Korela. Over the time of it's life (first known mention of the fortress is from 13th century) it was also named Kakisalmi (I love this one so much) and Kexholm. Current name Korela refers to name of nation lived there and other Finnish and Swedish name are connected to the cuckoo bird. It was said when Karelia people wanted to build the fortress they had a big misfortune and couldn't make it. So they prayed to their main God Ukko to help them and it was said that they have to go down by the river and found a fortress in the place where Cuckoo bird sings. It is said to be the origin of the fortress behind. Surely it looked differently back than, it was remodeled several times, the big round part is from early 16th century for example.
Next was Sortavala town. It was so beautiful! There old Finnish design house, magical fortune stone and the monument of Vainamoinen, the bard hero of Finnish-Karelian Kalevala (I was reading it on my way to Karelia to deep dive into it even more even though I knew most of the events from my husband retelling).
My outfit is travel failure. You see I have a cute bow on back (you don't see it). It is a horrible decision for a long ride, trust me. But I looked pretty so it's half ok, I guess. Check out my pendant too: it is a gift from my husband and is custom made just for me. It's pretty old already but I am always proud when I wear it.
H&M top
Uniqlo pants
Adidas flip flops (do you also concider flip flops the comfortable choice for whatever?)
pendant handmade gift ordered and designed by my husband
Have a nice day,
Lyosha
This place looks serene and beautiful! I'd love to visit one day! BTW, i love your top!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you had fun during your vacation! It's a really pretty place too, thanks for sharing your experience with us!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Karelia looks like such a cool place to visit! I've unfortunately never been there before myself, but I'd love to go in the future one day.
ReplyDeleteOkay I totally want to visit a Karelia now, what a fun place to visit. Thanks for sharing your pics friend!
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh with your last admission that the outfit was a travel failure. Great pictures and what a pretty place. It is great to have the opportunity to do home based explorations.
ReplyDeleteAMazing photography and you look gorgeous in this outfit...glad you shared this with us..the views sounds so lovely...
ReplyDeleteThis looks beautiful! I love old, historical places that tell interesting stories. Especially forts and castles. Glad you had a wonderful vacation with your husband!
ReplyDeleteKarelia looks beautiful! I truly hope I can travel one day. Your pendant is gorgeous by the way.
ReplyDeleteI love how this place has been able to keep it's antiquity and still come off as modern.
ReplyDeleteYou had a vacation! That is so wonderful — and I really enjoyed that you shared with us. I'm getting stir crazy over here. It looks like you had a wonderful time. I really like history and old castles, so this was a real treat.
ReplyDeleteThis place looks so lovely! I would love to visit this place!
ReplyDeleteThis place looks like a place that I would enjoy. It has so much to see.
ReplyDeleteNow, this place looks so amazing and also inviting. I wish I could go. Karelia is definitely the place to visit, I enjoyed reading about the history.
ReplyDeleteOMG THE PLACE IS GORGEOUS!!! I would love to spend a couple of weeks there, that would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical looking place. I love that you shared part of their mythic history with us. I'd love to visit there.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth O
Interesting place and lovely photos , as lovely as you are. Oh love the pendant , suit you well, well done to your hubby.
ReplyDeleteSounds calm and peaceful. I am so happy you had fun and spent a great time.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are so adorableeee!! I love love love your outfit
ReplyDeleteI love hearing stories of historical places! And what a sweet gift from your husband! I love that you still love it even though you have had it for some time.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed learning the history of this place. Looks like you enjoyed your time there, and also cute outfit!
ReplyDeleteStephanie S
Have never heard of this place before. Enjoyed seeing these sights!
ReplyDeleteKarelia looks so pretty! I'm glad you finally had a mini vacation :D
ReplyDeleteThis town is too cute!! I've been dying to go on vacation but there's been so many spikes in the pandemic we can't go anywhere!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very nice place for a short weekend trip! Hope to visit it one day! :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit Sortavala town. I have Finnish ancestors; it would be interesting to see the architecture.
ReplyDeleteYou look so comfortable in a new destination! Your outfit is perfect according to me... One needs to feel comfortable and that you do!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this place but Karelia looks indeed serene and beautiful. Great pics!
ReplyDeleteOops on the outfit - I've made mistakes like that before! The last time that I decided to travel somewhere via bus, I wore an outfit that had a chain running along the back. While that was flat, and therefore wouldn't seem like a big deal, let me tell you how uncomfortable that is to sit against for any length of time... lol Your outfit does look great though! That's a positive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place to visit! I would for sure enjoy a walk in those paths. I miss going out!
ReplyDeleteIt looks absolutely beautiful and once again is making me want to visit Russia! Sorry to hear you were uncomfortable while travelling, but I have definitely made mistakes like that before, as well!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very nice place to go and relax. You have great taste in clothes btw :)
ReplyDeleteLove your travel blog. Pictures look great! Definitely relaxing and great taste in your travels!!
ReplyDeleteI really miss traveling. Karelia looks like an incredible place and glad you had an amazing time as well! Love the photos that you took.
ReplyDeleteThere are some really nice photos here for sure. We all miss travel so virtual travel like this is nice to see at the mo x
ReplyDeleteThe Fortress Korela looks so pretty. Also love Sortavala town which is so beautiful and charming .As I come across more of your travel destinations the more I get attracted to Russia. I have through twice but only for changing flights. I need to visit for at least 10 days when I am passing through next. Thanks for this beautiful trip.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a vacation! My husband and I took a day trip earlier in the week to get away and it was just what we needed. Your outfit still looks great, even if it was a travel failure. Sometimes I don't even think it matters these days, as long as you had an amazing time.
ReplyDeleteI love to visit that place it looks like quiet and peaceful . You will have a bonding moment with your loved
ReplyDeleteones that is completely relaxing.
The pictures are breathtaking and make me want to visit that beautiful place. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteI have always found frotresses so very interesting - we visited a lot when I was a kid on our holidays to Wales :)
ReplyDeleteThe place looks beautiful and your outfit surely looks very cute, especially love your top and that pendant and I am sure since its gifted by your husband you hold it close to your heart.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing the history. It looks so beautiful and historic. This definitely makes me want to travel!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing the history. It looks so beautiful and historic. This definitely makes me want to travel!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I love your outfit despite it not being travel friendly. Second, it looks like a very cool place.
ReplyDeleteLove the back story. Looks like a really nice place to visit. I can't wait to have another real deal vacation.
ReplyDeleteHaha...I love your Travel Failure! LOL...It does seem like you had a good time though...and it looks like a beautiful place...;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun adventure to the Karelia Fort & then to Sortavala. Love all the old stones making up Karelia. To think they have been there for such a long time. So what exactly is a Magic Fortune Stone you found in Sortavala?
ReplyDeleteomg! i totally missed adding a shot of it. I nowadded it. Basically it's a huge stone which is always warm. It was a part of what ancient local called skird, the special stone each man should have for religious purpose and maditation
DeleteKarelia sounds like a great vacation spot, hope to go there one day. I look forward to the next episodes of your journey.
ReplyDeleteWow looks like a fab spot fora weekend break. Yay for mini vacation! I hope to visit one day
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place! Hope you enjoyed well
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