West Coast - Finland - page 466

Just 100m southwest of Närpes Church, Öjskogparken is a collection of historic buildings,
the marooned locomotive Kasköbässin, and an incredible outdoor revolving theatre ,
which hosts summer performances in the local dialect.
Festivals & Events
Siirrettävien Saunojen CULTURAL
(Mobile Sauna Festival; www.sauna-ajot.com ; admission free, parking €5)
An only-in-Finland experience, the two-day Siirrettävien Saunojen festival held in early
August at lakeside Parra, 34km west of Närpes, sees entrants vie for the most unique
homemade mobile sauna (the only rules: it must be mobilised, and fit one person). There
are also vihta (bunch of fragrant, leafy birch twigs) making and throwing competitions,
best sauna outfit prizes and live music.
Sleeping & Eating
Närpes' shiny-new town-centre hotel and restaurant Red & Green ( www.hotelredgreen.fi )
opened as this topic went to print. Check its website for details.
Linds Kök FINNISH
( 040-510-8124; www.lindskok.fi ;Bäcklidvägen 476;mains €24-32; noon-3pm & 8-11pm Tue-Fri,
noon-3pm Sat-Mon Jun-early Aug, by appt rest of year)
Dine amid mandarin and lime trees, strawberries, herbs and tomatoes growing inside this
extraordinary greenhouse 10km southeast of Närpes. Fresh-as-it-gets Finnish specialities
include pork with liquorice sauce, grilled salmon with cloudberry sauce, and tomato pan-
nacotta. Serious tomato fans should go for the seven-course tomato menu (€59), starting
with creamy tomato soup and ending with tomato ice cream.
Getting There & Away
Buses link Närpes with Kristinestad (€9.40, 30 minutes) and Vaasa (€15.50, 1¼ hours) up
to 11 times daily Monday to Friday, and four times on Saturday and Sunday.