ABBA from Sweden

Hälsningar från Stockholm 

ABBA

Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 at The Dome in Brighton, UK, giving Sweden its first triumph in the contest, and are the most successful group ever to take part in the competition. 

From my sister and her family on their vacation in Stockholm.

My Favorite ABBA

Terra Nostra Garden

Terra Nostra Garden, Furnas, São Miguel, Azores

There has been a garden in the Furnas Valley for over 200 years.

The Furnas Valley became popular towards the end of the 18th century, due to the growing interest in the use of mineral water to treat health problems, such as rheumatism and obesity. Furnas has hundreds of small springs and streams, all with different properties. The Terra Nostra Garden is located in the midst of this magnificent water system.

Around 1775, Thomas Hickling, a wealthy merchant from Boston, who became an Honorary American Consul in São Miguel, built a simple wooden summer house, which came to be known as Yankee Hall. In front of the house, there was a pool with an island in the centre, both surrounded by trees that were brought in mainly from North America. An English oak planted by Hickling can still be seen there today.


Our visits to Terra Nostra Park

2008

2009

2012

Celebrities

 

The King 

Elvis Aaron Presley.  December 8. 1935 -  August 16. 1977

From Moni in Chemnitz, Germany

Distance: 1,405 km

Travel time: 9 days

Santo and Johnny

Santo Anthony Farina. October 24. 1937

John Steven Farina. April 30. 1941

Sent by Michelle in Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. 

Distance: 8,690 km

Travel time: 8 days

Me and my brother got a bunch of singles sometimes in the 60s and among them was this instrumental melody "Sleep Walk"

"Sleep Walk" continues to be popular due to consistent radio airplay as well as its usage for commercials, television programs, and movies. Santo & Johnny were inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Joy of Knitting..

with colorful yarns!

From Alex  in Chisinau, Moldova

Distance: 1,795 km

Travel time: 12 days

The Joy of Cycling

I. K. Inha ( 1865 Virrat –1930, Helsinki) was a Finnish photographer, author, translator, and journalist. Inha is considered to be one of the grand masters of Finnish photography. Sometimes he is even referred to as "the national photographer" of Finland. He is especially known for his documentation of Finnish folk tradition, old habits and customs, and landscapes. In addition to his documentary work he was a significant portrayer of modernisation in the early 20th century.

Inha was an avid cyclist and made many of his trips in Finland and in Europe on a bike. He was also among the first to import bicycles to Finland and even the Finnish word for bicycle (polkupyörä) is often claimed to have been coined by Inha. In this photo Inha's brother drives a big wheel bicycle at Virrat and villagers follow him.

Facebook swap from Sari

A finnish couple going shopping on wheels.
Direct swap from Mari in Helsinki.

That's mine!
Soviet Union Illustrated Monthly, 1954
My old collection

The Joy of Dancing...

even on a rainy day!

Arctic Paradise,  photo Tommi Pitkänen

From my sister and my niece on a sunny day in Jyväskylä, Finland :)

Pärnu Girls

 The most beautiful spa in Estonia

Emond Arnold  Blumenfeldt: Advertising postcard for Pärnu health resort, 1931. 

From the collection of Pärnu Museum

 Guido Mamberg, Advertising stamp from the 1930's

Spend time in the beautiful Pärnu

More Pärnu girls.

Hedon Spa Hotel in June 2006