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 Although
there are relatively few warm summer days in Oulu, we have a good
beach called Nallikari. The beach opens to the Gulf of Botnia,
so there is a straight view to the open sea. Surfers, boats, ships,
islands, people taking sun and swimming, beach volley matches —
everything you can expect from a decent seaside.
I think the closeness of sea is
very important to citizens of Oulu, at least it is to me. The seaside
is a place to relax and just to hang around — stare to the
horizon and think what life would be behind the sea, somewhere far
away. (Well, literally speaking there is Sweden behind the Gulf
of Botnia, but you know what I mean...)
In Finland, Oulu has achieved some
fame with dense bicycle road network. So, no wonder, it is hugely
popular to roller-skate or to cycle to Nallikari during the summer
holiday season. The bicycle road going to Nallikari is rather crowded
in July as there are thousands of people heading to the beach. The
route continues alongside the beach up to the tower located in the
end of breakwater. Going that route is an easy way to spot a friend
lying on the beach or having a cold beer in the beach terrace.
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  In
Nallikari you meet not only citizens of Oulu but also caravans, trailers
and other visitors at Nallikari Camping. The camping area is quite large
and the visitor can choose from different kind of cottages or stay in
a trailer or in a tent. Some cottages can be booked even in winter time.
The summer evenings are quite amazing.
Days are bright and long; in Midsummer Day the sun does not go down at
all. Generally during summer it is way past ten o'clock when the sun finally
sets down. If it is warm enough, people like to go to swim even in the
very late hours of the day.
In winter time, people do also skiing and driving
snowmobiles on ice. Also some car races take place on the ice of Nallikari,
as you can read from the Icy Eden
Rally photostory. The place has definitely a different kind of look
in the winter time!
Next to Nallikari beach locates Eden
spa hotel. The spa is popular among Oulu people for relaxing also in winter
time. Thanks to the hotel and the conference capabilities many people
outside Oulu visit the spa also, I guess.
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One
thing I like about Eden spa is the possibility to slip yourself
from the normal swimming pool to the small pool located outside
the actual swimming hall. The water of the pool is warm but you
literally can swim outdoors in the middle of winter! It may be black
dark and several minus degrees of Celsius around you — that
is a relaxing experience!
See you on the beach! :)
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