August 19, 2023, Raahe
The trip to Raahe, organized by the SSPF on this beautiful summer day, was aimed at both getting to know each other better and integrating the Polish and international community from the area of Oulu, but also promoting the natural, landscape, cultural, historical and tourist values of Northern Ostrobothnia, this time the city of Raahe. People from both Oulu and residents of Raahe took part in the trip.
Ewa Czarnocka, a member of the board of the SPPF, took over the role of a guide and took the participants for the tour around beautiful Raahe, telling its history, explaining the purpose of the buildings we passed, led us to the park with sculptures and showed the panorama of Raahe from the vantage point from which we had the opportunity to see the archipelago belonging to the Nature 2000.
During the trip, we had the opportunity to visit two museums – Kruununmakassiinimuseo, where the world’s oldest scuba diving suit Old Gentelman – Vanha Herra is exhibit, and Pakkahuoneen museo. Both children and adults were eager to try on the steel helmet that divers used in the past and watched the exhibits collected there with curiosity. They also participated in interactive activities offered by the museum, such as practicing stringing mast ropes. Pakkahuoneen museo offered to see its collection of coins (also Polish) and curiosities from around the world, antique toys, clothes and equipment (including a large bicycle from the 18th century) and a wonderful collection of wooden sculptures saved from the first church in Raahe from the 17th century, which unfortunately burned down. The collections, along with Ewa’s fascinating stories, allowed us to see the heyday of Raahe in the era of sailing ships and bring us closer to this city of sailors and shipbuilders.
After sightseeing, it was time for the more relaxing part of the trip – a boat trip around the archipelago and a barbecue on the island of Iso Krasseli. In groups, we had the opportunity to see the panorama of Raahe from the sea, the port in Raahe and the charming islands of this archipelago, and then on the island we grilled together, talked, got to know each other better and enjoyed the beautiful summer weather that was so good for us that day.
We enjoyed the cruise and grilling so much that the time passed too quickly, and unfortunately we came back too late to visit the Langin Kauppahuone restaurant, located in a historic building from the 18th century. We will save it for the next time, as well as many other museums and attractions that we did not have a chance to see that day.
The trip ended with coffee and ice cream at the marina’s cafeteria, with a beautiful view of the sea and Raahe.
The organizers of the Trip to Raahe, representatives of SPPF, would like to thank everyone for participating and hope that they spent a wonderful day with us.
Another trip, maybe to a new place next year!
