A Lapland like attraction in Vesilahti Finland

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A Lapland like attraction in western Finland near Lempäälä.

Feel the warmth of an open fire inside a lapp shelter. -a lapland like attraction.

Getting to the lapp shelter in December...driving 7 km from civilization...thinking...How could we possibly make it through such narrow paths with our small car?

After parking we begin our walk up to the Kota.

The woods in Vesilahti Finland. Trees are quite short...Could almost pass for Lapland!

The woods in Vesilahti Finland. Trees are quite short...Could almost pass for Lapland!

Ascending to the Kota...takes us 20 minutes.

A short hike through idylic forests of firs and pines brings us to an elevation of 50 meters above sea level.

In sight...

A woodshed 20 meters ahead. Spruce trees and some small birch around. Snow on the ground

A woodshed 20 meters ahead. Spruce trees and some small birch around. Snow on the ground

...a woodshed and just across...

The woodshed is 10 meters from a Kota or lapp shelter -A triangle shaped roof like an Indian Tee-Pee
...A tepee like lapp shelter.

This one holds 20-30 people.

Some Kota's are large enough for 100 people.

This woodshed is stocked with wood.

No need to fell trees, chop wood, or dry the wood yourself...because....On the other side of the woodshed there is enough wood for warming up our Kota.

The woodshed corner with all the wood neatly stacked drying out. The Kota ahead on the left
3pm and we have less than an hour before it gets dark. Look! Someone
is opening the door of the Kota.

The door to our Kota has a bent handle made of spruce branch curved to fit, and mounted on a the Kota door.
A curvey spruce door handle for some extra door personality!

!!...Inside the Kota...!!

The fire is started quickly using birch bark and wood chippings.

The door is closed and darkness...except for the firelight.

A stock of firewood can also be found under the wooden benches encircling the inside of the Kota.

A short wait and it is warm enough.
Older couple sitting warming themselves by the fire.
The seating made of wooden benches is attached to the inner walls spanning in a circle around the central fireplace. 30 people sitting together around a cozy fire lends to ease in conversation.

Inside the Kota..two inch by six inch boards span horizontally built up to a narrow three by three foot point at the top. The shape of this triangle structure is seen inside as well as from the outside. The Kota's walls are made of 1 inch by 6 inch boards horizontally stacked and are supported by 2 inch by 4 inch boards, placed every 60 centimeters.

On the ground, at the center of the Kota, a 1,5 foot high open firepit made of tile and brick throws out warmth and brightness

The bright red glowing coals indicate the fireś ready for roasting the sausages or the homemade bread dough.

Older man roasting a hot-dog over a fire.

For an authentic Finnish Kota experience roast a deer hot-dog on a stick. We washed down ours with cranberry juice or hot coffee followed by dessert...cookies and licorice.

Insider bread roasting tip!

The Finns make their home made bread dough Tikkupullaa pre-made dough is cooked on sticks over the top of the flames keeping the bread untouched by the tongues of the flame...as compared to roasting hotdogs Makkaraa which are held on top of glowing hot coals.

Inside the Kota there's a pan for making coffee or tea. Yum!

Before leaving the fire is put out then... the return hike to the car before dark sets in.

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