Paid partnership with Kukkoniemen Lomamökit
There’s something extremely beautiful when you take all huzzle and bustle of modern life away from around you and fall to the simple, basic things in life. The ones that are in fact the foundation of every one of our health and happiness. No wonder the people who have already reached all the success and glory in life, tend to start favoring again places where this kind of falling is possible.
Places like Kukkoniemen Lomamökit.
Kukkoniemen Lomamökit has a special place in our heart because the company is not only located to me and Marianne’s home village Hiukkajoki in Punkaharju, but also the younger generation of the family -and current entrepreneurs Sari & Jari Koikkalainen- are old stablemates of Marianne. In this yard 12 years ago Sari has for example made Marianne’s dreadlocks! I, on the other hand, have known the older generation, Sinikka and Seppo, almost as long.
Best bits of slow, natural Finnish living in Saimaa
The welcome was warm when Stiina, Marianne, me, and my kids arrived along the sandy country road in Kukkoniemi. The company is located by the crystal clear Lake Puruvesi in its own cape. Peace and silence are guaranteed. Also, privacy since you cannot see from one cottage to another. The place is nature-filled and also close, 25 minutes drive away, there is Punkaharju Nature Reserve area.
“When you go to the cottage, we give you some water barrels. Take the water from the well by pumping on the way. Our water actually comes from a natural fountain so it is very fresh and good!” Sari instructs.
Well, that was more than fine for us. After sitting in front of my laptop the whole week -or better said a month- some light physical activity was exactly what my body (and mind) craved for. Also digging our own angleworms by hand from the soil sounded good as well as own rowing boat at the cottage – not to mention the possibility to do SUP on the lake.
Kukkoniemen Lomamökit has 7 small yet cozy lakeside rental cottages for 2-6 people. Six of them are on summertime use without running water or indoor toilet. There are electric heating and fireplaces and wood heated saunas in all cottages so accommodation from early spring to late autumn is possible. One cottage is year-round use.
Except for running water, the cottage kitchens are fully-equipped. However, there is a campfire place in each cottage and we ended up making pancakes and coffee there. Everything just tastes better when it is made outdoors and by the fire.
Our day at the cottage was all about simple living things; swimming, forest walking, making firewood, cooking, talking, having a sauna, and just enjoying nature’s beauty and being together.
When being close to nature, gradually the peacefulness of it catches you too. You notice slowing down naturally. Physical and mental calming in turn opens up a possibility to get better connection to yourself, other people and also nature around you. All that causes positive cycle up in your wellbeing.
The main will berry and mushroom season in Finland is late summer, but year-round you can get some food from nature. Like wild herbs in early spring and fish by ice fishing in winter.
At Kukkoniemi cottages parts of the beds are located in “aitta”. They have been traditionally the best places in the Finnish countryside to sleep in the summertime because of their fresh and cool natural air.
To the roots of clarity and contentment in life
While splitting firewood at our Kukkokallio cottage, Mr. Maslow came to mind. He was the first one to study contented humans; what separated successful and happy people from those who were not as contented or accomplished. Afterwords Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has become world-famous. You can find many versions of this hierarchy. “Every single person on this planet needs food, water, shelter, sleep, others, and novelty on a regular basis to be their best selves.” it is said for example in the article of Forbes.
It is true that our wellbeing starts with fulfilling our basic needs and keeping the spark of growing and learning new alive. But because there is so much huzzle and puzzle in our lives we easily get distracted and give our time and energy to all other things than fulfilling well enough our basic needs. The result is a weakened quality of life and over time health problems. Many of us try to “fill the basic need storages” during holidays. However, often in holiday destinations too, there is just too much. So much that the most precious things stay unnoticed under everything else.
That’s why it is good every once in a while to go to simple places and spend time in peaceful nature surroundings. Places where it is easier to concentrate and become aware of what is happening in and around you. Places where your body and mind can genuinely rest.
At Kukkoniemi cottages the beds are not expensive hotel beds. However, the indoor air is so fresh and the silence is complete that I bet you sleep better than in many hotels.
The more peaceful is the surrounding, the better possibilities there are to be present to others -and also to ourselves.
Calming down also helps to open up your senses better. It allows you to feel more and a deeper way.
Well, you know I love quotes. I feel this fits here perfectly:
“Getting back to the basics is the simplest way to find calm in the chaos.”
It is well said by Courtney Carver.
Yoga retreats are nice. The holiday resorts are nice. But I say that sometimes things like doing dishes by hand while listening to the birds singing around you can recharge you better. Besides, those moments can give you more valuable insights into your life about the direction you want to lead it more in the future. So even as, you can get a good giveaway to take home with you.
We recommend you to try!
At Kukkoniemi we experienced many wonderful moments. Our lakeside dinner was definitely one. Join our dinner for a moment through this 360° video and get a piece of lake nature calmness for yourself too!
To watch this 360° video, tap on this link https://youtu.be/iC3TVHdLb5c in your Youtube app. In YouTube app you can watch the video also with a virtual reality headset. Remember to turn on HD to get better quality.
