I Drove To FINLAND’S MOST EASTERLY POINT! (Ilomantsi to the Russian Border) 🇫🇮

Рет қаралды 6,056

Күн бұрын

My remarkable journey from Ilomantsi in Finland to the Finnish/Russian border zone & Finland’s most easterly point. Join me on an unforgettable Finnish road trip through the forests of North Karelia.
🇫🇮 See more of my travel vlogs from Finland here → bit.ly/mwt_finland
The most ambitious and adventurous day of my road trip in Finnish Lakeland started at my accommodation in the village of Illonantsi located in Finland’s North Karelia region. I’ll give you a tour of my first floor studio apartment (Majoitus Ilomantsissa) and tell you how much it costs to stay there.
Before setting off for Finland’s most easterly point, I wanted to see some of Illomantsi so I packed up, jumped in my car and drove towards Ilomantsin Jarvi Lake. Close to the water I stumbled upon a delightfully yellow Eastern Orthodox Church - Pyhän Profeetta Elian Kirkko, otherwise known as the Church of Saint Elijah.
As I was admiring the exterior the priest and cantor arrived and invited me inside for a look around. Both were really friendly & told me about the history of the church & parish, the cantor even sang me some verses which were gratefully received.
Before I left I walked around an unusual lakeside cemetery which was set amongst tall trees & unkempt shrubbery. The grounds were so peaceful & quiet - ideal for a moment's reflection before returning to my car & heading east.
As I left the village, I passed many bear carvings and statues, which was seemingly the unofficial theme of the area. As I drove towards the Russian border, it reminded me that the chances of seeing a real one were increasing with every mile.
As I entered the tiny village of Hattuvaara I passed the roadside Ilomantsi Battle Memorial (Ilomantsin Mottitaisteluiden Päämuistomerkki) and a museum called the Fighters House (Taistelijan Talo) - both really interesting and a great source of information on the Winter War and Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet union. Deadly battles between the two took place right here in this location, including the Battle of Hattuvaara (Hattuvaaran Taistelu) in July 1944.
I left the main road and civilization behind and followed a smaller trail towards the Russian border. The forest was never ending and en route I passed lakes, halfway huts, military hardware, information signs and historical walks. In the last century fierce battles and gunfights had exploded along the route I was taking.
After a compelling day I finally arrived at a place noted for being the most easterly point in Finland, as well as continental EU. A boardwalk led me between the ropes of the border zone to a viewing platform and marker, which provided a view straight into the wilderness of Russia.
📖 CHAPTERS:
📖 00:00 Intro
📖 00:51 Room Tour in Ilomantsi, Finland
📖 02:30 Pyhän Profeetta Elian Kirkko (Church of Saint Elijah)
📖 06:38 Goodbye Ilomantsi (Heading East!)
📖 07:01 Ilomantsi Battle Memorial
📖 10:16 Fighter’s House
📖 11:56 The Right Turn (Driving to the Russian Border)
📖 12:29 Road Conditions & Places to Stop
📖 13:26 Battle of Hattuvaara
📖 15:20 The Road to Finland’s Most Easterly Point
📖 16:06 Navigating the Border Zone & Staying Legal
📖 17:13 Finland’s Most Easterly Point
📖 17:52 The Finnish/Russian Border Island
📖 18:19 Looking into Russia!
More Info
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🎙️ Feel free to ask any questions! All FEEDBACK and COMMENTS welcome!!
📷 Connect with me on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram
🇫🇮 See all my FINLAND videos → bit.ly/mwt_finland
🇫🇮 See more from my Finnish Lakeland road trip → bit.ly/mwt_finnishlakeland
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Soundtrack
🎵 Breathtaking World by dvine
🎵 Long Term Memory by Joseph Beg
🎵 bam. bam. by Yomoti
🎵 V1rgo by Ambre Jaune
🎵
🎵 Music by Epidemic Sound. Get a FREE month here → bit.ly/2LB53FZ

Пікірлер: 195

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇫🇮 My FINLAND Travel Vlogs → bit.ly/mwt_finland | 📷 Connect on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram | 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map

@blechtic 7 күн бұрын

Shouldn't it be "easterNly"?

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Nope, the word is 'easterly'. I did go back and double check though so thanks for mentioning it.

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope enjoyed so much see your video, I will check again that part very carefully if that is my grandfather home, most probably is..maybe I go this year there visit my cousin who keep that home still..Ilomantsi my birthplace so lovely to see this video , thank you very much 😊❤

@blechtic 6 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Based on obsolete form "easter", I see. The fun never ends with English language. Sorry to have bothered you.

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

@@mariamm9460 You're welcome, hope you make it back there to have a look around and relive some of those special memories.

@tanjanikola9489 9 күн бұрын

That visit to the orthodox church was special. So lovely of Päivi to give a tour and to sing as well! Beautiful!

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Yes it really was. So lucky that I bumped into them, a few minutes earlier or later and we'd have never met and that part of the video wouldn't exist. Most people I meet don't like being on camera so it was great that she embraced it. She was super friendly and her voice was incredible!

@magister2123 9 күн бұрын

Nice that you visited North-Karelia. 👍

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Enjoyed seeing it!

@robertwilkinson8421 9 күн бұрын

Outstanding, really enjoyed your Travel to the historical sites of the Russo-Finnish Conflicts during the Winter War and continuation War. This is really good stuff for someone who has read about these conflicts, seeing these areas really gives you a better understanding of the difficulties that both the Finnish Army and the Soviets had to deal with back then. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Thanks so much, always good to read comments like this one - makes my day!

@herbertthecat 8 күн бұрын

Hitchhiked there about 35 years ago, doesn't seem to have changed much, thanks for the video

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Sounds like you had your own adventure all that time ago. Cool that not much has changed, was all the military equipment there?

@henriikkak2091 9 күн бұрын

Thank you. I like to think that these are exotic places to most Europeans. Certainly off the beaten path. I hope that Finns aren't the only ones watching 😊

@henriikkak2091 9 күн бұрын

I haven't been to the easternmost point of Finland either, if I'm honest, and I'm Finnish

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Haha you must go! It's a wonderful adventure and there's so much to see along the way. Looking at my analytics the majority of viewers are Finnish (about 75%) but the longer the video stays up the more viewers from other countries it gets.

@BeginningsAndPaths 8 күн бұрын

Very interesting and educational video! The wooden church was amazing and I'm grateful to the lady who was so kind to show in front of your camera and to give all that information along with his beautiful singing. As for the historical places and the horrible battles that took part there, it's good they preserved it with so many information. They should never be forgotten. Thank you for the travel. 🙏😊 ~Philip

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos! I was super lucky to be invited inside the church and even luckier to hear that voice - wonderful experience. Very true about the memorials and historical places - I was pleased to be able to document it all so that others can learn from my experiences. Thanks for watching!

@misanthrope8803 9 күн бұрын

Man I'm so glad that they let you in the Orthodox church, that was incredible! Safe travels, loving the Finnish series so far! 👍

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos! A couple of minutes earlier or later I probably wouldn't have bumped into them so luck was on my side that day. Great to see inside and the singing was beautiful.

@kolarommi 9 күн бұрын

Kiitos hyvistä videoista 👍

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Kiitos kun katsoit! 🙂

@Gibbetoo 9 күн бұрын

i am an folk music enthusiastic and i really loved her to sing.

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

It was amazing to hear her voice in the church, so glad I was invited inside. Most people don;t like appearing on the video so it was great that she embraced it! I wonder if she'll ever see the video!?

@Gibbetoo 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope i am so glad that you got the experience.

@user-br3ou2cs9o 9 күн бұрын

Thank You for visiting the border there between Russia and Our Wonderful Friends and also NATO Ally(4 April 2023) ❤️🇫🇮Finland🇫🇮❤️

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

You're welcome! Great experience driving all the way over to the border zone and looking out at Russia across the water. Great to get Finland in NATO!

@user-br3ou2cs9o 9 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope ✅💯👍

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

😃

@kaapuakka9115 9 күн бұрын

Great videos, thank you 👍👍👍.

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Glad you like them!

@hulimutteri9509 Күн бұрын

Слава Україні!

@kaapuakka9115 Күн бұрын

@@hulimutteri9509 честь миру

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

My father was in 2 war 1939 - 1945 time WWII and grandfather house stayed ,"burned in war" in Karjala (during the evacuation ) to the other side this days Russian side..but my grandfather build a new home which is still there in Ilomantsi ❤🇫🇮

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

That's cool, love how the house is still there. I bet your father and grandfather have some stories to tell.

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope thank you Matt, may I call you Matt😊My Grandfather and me we did homework often together he teached to me as his granddaughter,,and my father also ..God Bless them both are in heaven 🙏🙏❤❤..I asked from my father things about war time, he was not speaking much to children about it..but I asked..Grandfather time I was too young to ask about war time from him..he lost his home during the war as I mentioned earlier...and my father and my lovely Mother were already married during the second world war..my sweet Mother was in Karjala in a cottage with our 2 children my oldest siblings,,she had so scary stories to tell ..God Bless🙏 , she past away some years ago ..❤🙏

@MattWhitingsEurope 4 күн бұрын

Very interesting to hear about the stories of those who were effected and lived through those times, thanks for sharing. Yes you can call me Matt, most people do! 👍

@mariamm9460 4 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope thank you Matt😊 good afternoon..I am a little tired still of my journey to Joensuu , was emotional trip to my parents graveyard and I didn't want to leave Karjala, there I feel more safe and happy because my roots are there and parents graves are there ..As my sweet lovely Mother told stories from war time I must say that how is the possible she survived so well as many more women without their husbands besides as they were in the war fighting..My Mother lived in a small cottage in the forest and 2 babies she had already, her stories was too much to think even that how scary middle of bomblast oh Lord 🙏, then she managed to evacuate with injured soldiers in big military car where men bleeding and hands or legs broken or away, 2 of my siblings my mother protect in her arms, I cry while write now , so sad stories .....My father survived well too , asked him how was to fight against enemy, he said some stories which made think how " scary and hard " war is..my brave father my "hero" always my tears falls from my eyes as right now when think how he had to fight in the cold snow also there in Karjala and protect our land , me and my father we understood each others well, and I miss him to protect me in my life still , not that against the enemies now but otherwise generally in life ...and I miss my sweet mother very much too..thanks Matt to read my stories ..I feel you understand well.🙏❤

@MattWhitingsEurope 4 күн бұрын

@@mariamm9460 A very good evening to you. Thanks again for the real world stories, it really does put everything in perspective. Your Mother must have been tough to endure that - it often seems to me that people were built tougher back then, I guess sometimes it's a case of needs must. I'm glad you got to revisit their graves in Joensuu and spend some time with them, it sounds like they're still with you in spirit and the connection is still strong.

@user-js5sh7rb8v 2 күн бұрын

Nice videos, thank you. Familiar places. My Dad's side family line can be traced as far as 1560, back to Karelian Isthmus, Suur Jääski (between Gulf of Finland and Lake Laatokka). Next generation was in Lieksa area where my Dad was born, Mom's side of the family has lived in Ilomantsi for centuries. And I live in Kerimäki, work in Punkaharju and went to army in Hamina. Parents live in Joensuu now, spent my growing years in Lappeenranta. Studied in Mikkeli, Ex's family is from Puumala. You visited all the right places 😃 East is the place to be for me, lakes, forests, swamps..... It's berry picking time btw. Cloudberries, blueberries... Lapland and Norway for holidays 😄 I'll share these videos with my GF in Philippines, hopefully she's soon here in East Finland.

@MattWhitingsEurope 2 күн бұрын

Sounds wonderful, you have a lot of good options. From the list of places you're connected to it seems I almost did a tour of your life haha 😂 . You're right though, what a terrific area - beautiful scenery everywhere you go! Thanks for watching!

@Finland-SkiTeam39-40 7 күн бұрын

Just watched this and read other comments and what can you add but just say; so well done again and, as always, super informative with enthusiasm that shines through 💯/ 💯

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Wow, thank you! Really appreciate you saying - I love these sort of comments. 😀

@ellu... 8 күн бұрын

great video again! 🖤

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Thanks so much!

@oh2mp 9 күн бұрын

Great video again. I also like to visit that kind of extreme points. You were lucky that you got that private demonstration of the church from cantor Päivi :) Both of my parents were born in 1932 so they were on the first grade at school when the winter war began. They both were living in that area which was taken by the USSR and lost their homes there.

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Thank you! Much appreciated. It was a long but fascinating day with so much to see along the way. Sorry to hear that your parents lost their homes, what a terrifying time for all involved. Sadly not much has changed in regards to Russia invading countries around them.

@oh2mp 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope as you know, about 10% of the population had to evacuate and later settle down elsewhere in the country, I guess majority of Finns today have family background that some of their relatives were affected. And yes, in the past 1000 years we have learned what kind of a neighbor we have. I am not sure if I mentioned in my previous comments on your videos that my mother lives in Imatra. Also my dad's ashes are buried there and many other relatives eg. my maternal grandparents. You have seen that town already :)

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

@@oh2mp Yes I stopped by Imatra on my way to finding the starting point for Route 62. This is the video --> kzfaq.info/get/bejne/lbmUgtiWv6m7pmg.html - thanks for sharing that information & interesting to hear about your mother and father.

@oh2mp 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope yeah I of course have seen that video. You may want to know that my parents' families settled down to Imatra after the war and they met there when they were teenagers. Later they studied to be teachers and got jobs from a small village school in Kitee, North Karelia, where I spent my childhood. In 2011 they moved back to Imatra after living "temporarily" 57 years in Kitee as my dad joked. Later my dad has passed away, but mom is still alive and she will be 92 years old in August!

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

@@oh2mp Very interesting to hear about your roots. So they moved away to pursue their careers in teaching? 57 years sounds like lifetime - it's nice that they moved back to Imatra, must have always been in their hearts. Sorry to hear about your Father but it sounds like both had rich and happy lives.

@WITYTRAVELS 2 күн бұрын

Nice interview and what a beautiful voice she has. Never seen weaponry in a cemetery. Not sure the Lada had the best parking spot... Gotta be the world's most stressful boardwalk. Another very interesting video!

@MattWhitingsEurope 2 күн бұрын

Thank you, the singing was incredible! I'm surprised that Lada didn't get a ticket 😂

@druidofthefang 9 күн бұрын

7:35 wow what a nice view!! very nice video again. beautiful places and interesting history.

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Thank you very much! I was surprised to find that little area with the military equipment and signs, and yes the view across the forest was wonderful.

@scanpolar 4 күн бұрын

When I am watching your video , I am in Tyrjänsaari , by the lake Koitere in Ilomantsi ! Nice video !

@MattWhitingsEurope 4 күн бұрын

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Tyrjänsaari sounds nice, it's an island isn't it? What's up that way?

@talvetar3385 6 күн бұрын

There was a hook on that door To keep it open 😁 on your accomodation.

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

I can't believe I didn't see it at the time - must have been the knock to the head earlier in the day.

@hannadegerlund3227 9 күн бұрын

🇫🇮🇺🇦

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

🇫🇮 🇺🇦 🇬🇧

@KarpoKekkonen 8 күн бұрын

Excellent video!

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Thank you very much!

@Alexandros.Mograine 8 күн бұрын

Im glad you came back during the summer season! The weather in fall wasnt the best for enjoying Finland :D

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Always good to be back in Finland! Thanks for watching. 👍

@artsi897 8 күн бұрын

Great video.👍🇫🇮🇬🇧

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Thanks 👍

@Hongaars1969 9 күн бұрын

Hi Matt How are you? I am well. Today is another stinking hot day. The aircon is on What joy, not only did they unlock the church for you but doesn’t she sing beautifully. That’s is truly special. That’s cemetery is in a wonderful setting amongst the trees and not far from the lake. That road seal is first class indeed. Gosh look at those cannons. As often seems the case, the soviets/Ruskis don’t seem to care about high attrition rates of their (dispensable) personnel. Have you previously attempted to use a google translate scan of signs on Finnish, and see if you can translate into English? Sometimes I feel I can be without the signs and simply immerse myself and my imagination into the experience. Anyway. That’s enough commentary and questions. Trust you’re well. Thank you for this upload. Your work is excellent. Happy voting on Thursday. Zoltán

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Hello Zoltán , glad to hear you've got the air conditioning putting in a shift - I take it the weather's still pretty hot over in your parts? The church visit was incredible, really got lucky to bump into them both and even luckier to hear her voice - what a star she is! The cemetery was unlike anything I've seen before, so wild and mysterious - there was a bench overlooking the lake and it all seemed so peaceful and calm. Great memories. I certainly have used Google Translate before, great app, I think I was just being lazy. Also, I didn't want to hand about too long as I knew I had a long day ahead of me. I will definitely be casting my vote on Thursday, I've always considered myself lucky to live in a country where I can vote so certainly don't want to waste it. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks as always for watching!

@Hongaars1969 7 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope me again Your “newest” number one fan. Reviewed your channel heading and your impressive goal of travelling through all European countries. Wishing you achieve that goal however long it takes. Cheers Zoltán

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Thanks very much Zoltán and pleased to have you following along on the journey! I've got to admit it's not a priority but thought it would be a good idea to set some kind of challenge or target for the channel.

@francisdec1615 9 күн бұрын

18:20: though most of the land that was ceded to the Soviet Union was in Viborg/Viipuri county, the land on both sides of the border here belonged to Kuopio county before 1940/44. It was also all in Ilomantsi hundred and parish.

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Thanks for the comment. I found the map on the first sign really interesting regarding former and current border zones, really made me think.

@francisdec1615 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Russia always did this, btw. Already in the 1721 peace treaty after the Great Northern War the new border cut right through parishes and villages and even private farms.

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Interesting, thanks for bringing it up.

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

My birthplace Ilomantsi and went my schools threre, until 14y lived threre then my parents moved away and i was 14y old ,,but my grandfather house is still there near Orthodox Church ,I see that house i think in this video..I will visit Ilomantsi in near future..I biked until the Russian border when i was young and we played near the bord always and swimming in lakes there , had happy childhood ❤🇫🇮

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing that, sounds like you had a lot of good times and happy memories in your childhood. Did you say that the house was in the video? That's cool, glad I somehow managed to get it in.

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope you Welcome, my grandfather house is so near the Orthodox Church , maybe was build in his land, I cant say 100% need to look again, and the house been rebuild some part, there is my first cousin still living, my father brother son..he never left that home , I haven't been visiting there a few decades, really sad but now I have time much more and want to visit as soon I can..thanks reply , I am so glad about this your video that I see my childhood place and that is the Church all our family went Sundays and many family weddings, funerals🙏 , and all religious things ...I miss to visit there..never been as happy as I was in my childhood. 😊

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEuropethis beautiful Church is my Confirmation Church 🙏❤

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

@@mariamm9460 Lovely to hear that you still have relatives living there and that as a family you all went down to that church - such a pretty building by the lake! Wishing you all the best and hope you can make it back there to have another look around and relive some of those wonderful memories.

@mariamm9460 6 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEuropethank you so much, I will travel my next destination Ilomantsi, been in my mind lately so deeply yes that Ilomantsi Lake I was swimming , can't thank enough well your great video of Ilomantsi, hope you do another one too if possible 😊..have a good and lovely day , stay safe and well🙏❤

@spurgurius 8 күн бұрын

15:35 Who has parked a good looking old Lada in the middle of a bush?

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

All I know is that it definitely wasn't me!

@reinokarvinen8845 6 күн бұрын

there is a finnish rhyme. osta lada ruoste pesä ja korja sitä koko kesä. buy a lada and spend the whole summer repairing it. it might be unfair kimi raikkonen had a lada and liked it

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Hehe. I heard also that they have heated rear windows to keep your hands warm when pushing it! 🤣😂🤣

@talvetar3385 6 күн бұрын

Come To Kesälahti my friend. 👍

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Unfortunately I won't get chance on this trip but I've saved it to my map in case I'm somewhere nearby in the future. I take it you recommend Kesälahti? Anything in particular I need to look out for there?

@Randomizer939 9 күн бұрын

1:39 There's a hook for that in the wall...?

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Haha how comes I didn't see that when I was there! Perhaps I was still suffering from the knock to the head, that's my excuse anyway! 😊

@larrywave 9 күн бұрын

Lets see what those people respond to me about the headgear debate and we will see if i have to write all the rules here

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Would love to read about the rules if you get a moment to post them. I haven't heard of taking your cap off before entering a graveyard before, however I have always removed it before entering a religious building or visiting a specific grave to pay my respects.

@larrywave 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope ill write them down for you tomorrow as i have an early morning work and should really be sleeping already 👍

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Thank you, I look forward to seeing them. Sleep well.

@hotlineoperator 9 күн бұрын

Be careful not to fly the drone in the border zone - that would be bad.

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Absolutely right. I had seen the flight restrictions over the border zone so was careful to only fly in an authorised area. I always try to follow local laws.

@talvetar3385 6 күн бұрын

Yes forbidden.

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

I didn't fly the drone where it was forbidden. I made sure I was outside the border zone for the entire flight. Really didn't want to create a diplomatic incident.

@LEIFanevret 9 күн бұрын

Thanks man for this!🤗🙋👍💪🇫🇮

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in!

@Pikaxsu 8 күн бұрын

[15:48] Oh my goodness be careful with your drone near the border line.. Both of the countries are quite strict about the laws near there.. Hopefully you got your drone back and it was not shot down.. :/

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Don't worry, I was aware of the rules and checked for flight restrictions before taking off. It may appear like I flew it in the border zone but I didn't. I really didn't want to be responsible for starting World War III 😬

@Pikaxsu 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Well we trade run away dogs, or hunting dogs that don't have read what the blue rope means, and lost people, over the border occasionally, so it might just been a international diplomatic indident.. :/

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Best I keep that drone grounded hehe

@Pikaxsu 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Well as long as nothing bad happened to you, that is most important. :)

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

All's well that ends well 😁

@MVHiltunen 8 күн бұрын

France probaby holds the most eastern, western, and southern points of EU all at once. Consodering all their islands across the world.

@MattWhitingsEurope 6 күн бұрын

Interesting, thanks for the info!

@oldowleye3161 9 күн бұрын

On the other side is the stolen land of Karelia

@vandalfinnicus1507 9 күн бұрын

Did you ever hear the rumor, or "conspiracy theory", that Gorbatchov offered Karelia to Koivisto, and the Finnish president refused? I'm not saying it's true, but Gorbie was kind of cool though, and I think it's mildly credible.

@gyderian9435 9 күн бұрын

@@vandalfinnicus1507he himself has said that nothing like that happened. And I struggle to see how it could be credible, why would they return something they had to steal with such a cost

@vandalfinnicus1507 9 күн бұрын

@@gyderian9435 Gorbatchov was different. He instigated the dissolution of the empire, and supposedly it was at that point the offer was made. I didn't say it's true. If I believed every theory or rumor, I'd have twenty different views about every stage of history I've ever read about.

@larrywave 9 күн бұрын

@@nami-3🤦

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Fair point!

@turpasauna 9 күн бұрын

Concerning our roads: the ones used by military/officials and/or funded by the EU, are in good condition. But outside of that? Potholes, broken bits, you name it. Our politicians have proposed that some of the roads will be changed back to gravel-based ones, as there is not enough money to keep them in decent shape. 😅

@MattWhitingsEurope 9 күн бұрын

Very interesting. I've got to say I was really impressed by the road network throughout my road trip in Finnish Lakeland. I did come across a few gravel roads but if they're rarely used I can understand why the local government or council doesn't want to spend the money. For the most part though the roads were tarmacked and in great shape.

@turpasauna 8 күн бұрын

@@MattWhitingsEurope Pleased to hear that!

@harrikuusjarvi3795 8 күн бұрын

Finns take war serioysly.

@MattWhitingsEurope 8 күн бұрын

Understandable considering their geography.

@hurri7720 5 күн бұрын

War took Finns very seriously and several times like in this narrative from 300 years ago. Texted to either Swedish or English, and the music is good too. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jtB2ms-I2t3SZps.html