John In A Kilt

Our original excursion (hiking one of the local bogs) was canceled because of a strike by the guides and bus drivers and I wasn’t too excited about being “stuck” in Hamina for the day. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The local city leaders did a wonderful job welcoming us and hosting us in their city. Historically Hamina was a strategic port on the frontier between Sweden (and eventually Finland) and Russia. It is one of only two cities in the world that still remains within the earthen fortification walls and motes. A rich history that has been well preserved.