Latokaski mini-caves

I was walking back from my car repair shop, having returned by loaner car... and they are working on my Volvo. Let's see if they can fix it. It's been there six months soon, and even under work for more than a month. But on the way back I run into small holes in a rock outcrop in Latokaski. Too small maybe to call a proper cave. But certain space where you can go under a rock.

The cave is at N 60.178656 E 24.664942, right next to the Latokasken asukaspuisto (Latokaski citizen's park).

There's actually the main space, a slightly smaller and lower space under a rock roof next to it. And couple of cracks.

An overview of the main and side cave area:

Main cave was shown from the inside in the opening picture of this post. Here's a closeup from outside:

Side shelter cave:

Couple of cracks nearby:

Read more urban exploration stories from theurbanexplorer.net, and other underground stories from planetcaver.net. Read the full Planetskier series at planetskier.net, or all blog articles from Blogspot or TGR. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. 

Sauna, snow, and departure

Trip to the IETF conference in Dublin started. But it feels like I’m going in the wrong direction when after a long warm spell it just now started snowing .. fortunately bumped to old friends at the airport. And managed to squeeze in a traditional stop at the airport sauna on the way in, too :-)

For more flying stories, check out the planetflier.com website! For more sauna and swimming stories, check out planetswimmer.com and saunablogger.cool websites! And of course the Planetcaver, and Planetskier blogs for other stories in Blogspot and TGR! The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. I never take photos of other saunagoers or swimmers. and visit at times where there is simply no one else around or the facility has been booked only for me.

Dublin Airport T1 Lounge

While I'm flying economy as always, I have some status with Finnair which lets me in various lounges. At the Dublin airport I visited the T1 lounge. Didn't have too many expectations, but the breakfast serving was quite good, they had the usual hot stuff and bread and croissants. But also a good selection of juices, porridge, chia seed-based porridge, selection of cheeses, etc.

I was in Dublin for a conference, but also managed to find some caves to visit and do a sauna-swim experience.

Lounge pictures:

Airport pictures:

Note the cows and fields:

For more flying stories, check out the planetflier.com website! And of course the Planetcaver, and Planetskier blogs for other stories in Blogspot and TGR! The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. 

Ireland sauna and swimming experience

I was in Dublin for a conference, pretty tight agenda but I did manage to do a cave hike on one morning. And visit a local spa for a quick swim and sauna on the last evening!

There are many excellent sounding swimming pools and saunas in the city, but I picked The Spencer Health Club just because it happened to be conveniently on my way between the convention center and my hotel. And it didn't have any of the complications that many other gyms have, memberships required, etc.

This gym is operated in the Spencer Hotel basement, I guess free for the hotel guests but also possible for anyone to visit by paying the quite reasonable price (15€). You need to bring your own towel, and bring your own lock for the locker.. but turns out that you can loan one from the reception too, so no worries. Very friendly staff,

The club has an 18-meter pool with nice lights, a jacuzzi, a Finnish sauna and a Turkish sauna. There's showers and changing rooms. Not the changing rooms and showers are a bit dated, otherwise the facilities are good. 

The health club's instagram page is here.

For more sauna and swimming stories, check out planetswimmer.com and saunablogger.cool websites! And of course the Planetcaver, and Planetskier blogs for other stories in Blogspot and TGR! The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. The pool picture is by the Spencer Hotel. I never take recognisable photos of other saunagoers or swimmers. and try to visit at times where there is simply no one else around or the facility has been booked only for me.

Dublin caving: Portrane caves

I was visiting Dublin for a conference, but managed to sneak out for an early morning exploration on one of the days. I had already skied in Dublin eleven years ago. But I had not been to a cave in Ireland! Are there any around? As the award-winning local cave photographer and author Robert Mulraney says, "The first thing that can be said of the caves of Dublin is that, there are no caves in Dublin". However, it turns out there are some. Not big.. but very interesting. And big for someone coming from the land of thousands lakes and mini caves :-)

I should first say though that these caves are potentially dangerous, as they are under water except in low tide. Take care. Do not even think of approaching them unless you know what you are doing. And contact locals first, I did that too. 

And I got many warnings along the walk. First off, as I exited my hotel in the around 6am, I wondered about why the lifts were showing a do-not-enter sign, and then the fire horns started blazing. I walked down the stairs and ordered my taxi, and hoped everything was alright. I guess it was, the hotel was still standing when I came back.

And then there was a warning that I couldn't take my horse with me. Phew, thank goodness I left it at the parking lot:

Thanks to Robert for the excellent article about Dublin's caving and for site intel. Maybe next time in Dublin we can meet, or somewhere else if our paths cross! Robert also has a related article about mines in the Dublin area.

The cave with most stalactites, . See also the picture at the top of this post.

The cave with two levels (I was afraid to climb to the second level, being alone):

Other views seen on the trip:

I also want to recommend the La Cave Wine Bar, an excellent restaurant with exactly the right underground atmosphere (link, and thanks Stephen for taking us there): 

Other small cavelets nearby, first one:

Second one:

Third one:

Fourth one:

Read more urban exploration stories from theurbanexplorer.net, and other underground stories from planetcaver.net. Read the full Planetskier series at planetskier.net, or all blog articles from Blogspot or TGR. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved.