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The Kymijoki River won me over again when I went white-water rafting last week. The sunny early autumn day made the river scenery especially beautiful and photogenic. Watch the music video I made –
This time, we set off in an inflatable raft from Erämys – Keisarinkosket Oy, where we had stopped for a delicious lunch just over a year ago. We headed downstream through three rapids. In the accompanying video, you can see us make it through Torminvirta, Karkuuskoski and Tukkiränni. And whoever named those rapids must have had a poetic streak.
White-water rafting offers a new perspective on Finnish nature
The Kymijoki is one of Finland’s major rivers, but experiencing it from the water feels very different from looking at it from the shore. Rafting combines a nature outing with a little adventure. If the thrill rides at Linnanmäki fun park feel a bit too intense for you these days, rafting on the Kymijoki river might be just the thing. It is particularly well suited to a group of around 6 – 15 people.
The weather was on our side in Kymenlaakso last week, as you can see in the video. It was September, the sun was shining, the water was sparkling, and the first signs of autumn were already visible in the surrounding landscape. How lovely it is to be reminded that you do not always have to travel far, or even go abroad, for a memorable nature experience. Finland has landscapes that look entirely different when you explore them from the water.
Peaceful river scenery and the thrill of the rapids
Part of the appeal of rafting lies in its contrasts. On the calmer stretches of the river, there is time to look around, enjoy the scenery and photograph nature. Then, as you enter a rapid, the mood becomes more energetic in an instant.
You can feel the force of the water in the raft. The roar of the rapids, the spray and the speed make the experience much more intense than an ordinary boat trip. My favourite place to sit is right at the front of the raft, where you get the best splashes in your face. If possible, I also recommend leaving your glasses off: in my experience, rafting feels much more refreshing without them blocking the water.
Watch my Kymijoki rafting trip
I filmed my journey down the Kymijoki river. My camera was waterproof, and I either held it firmly or secured it to my life jacket. Last time, I put my phone in my pocket as we approached Tukkiränni, just to be safe. This time, I filmed that rapid too. It was the last and most demanding of the three rapids I experienced. Last to last spring I experienced even more rapids in the same Kymijoki river, and you can watch that video also in my YouTube channel!
Read my article about river rafting in Finnish.
Find more nice travel experiences from Finland with my guide.
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