Botanic interests in Kemi
cerbi
arrives in Kemi (Keminmaa today) on Monday, the 10th of June. He settles
himself at the vicarage as a guest to Matthias Castrén. Vicar Castrén
is a renowned botanist so many botanical field trips characterise Acerbi's
stay in Kemi. The scenery is more varied than in Oulu and even women are
prettier and taller in the north. With Castrén's help Acerbi is
able to find the rare calypso in the thicket of young spruces near the
church..
In
Kemi Acerbi also tries out the Finnish sauna. As an Italian he finds it
strange that young innocent girls work as bathers and washers of naked
men in the sauna.
Inspired by his botanical interest vicar Castrén joins the expedition that sets out for Tornio in horse-drawn chaise. The horses are changed at Laivaniemi. The damage caused by floods, the destruction of bridges and flood waters that cover wide areas make travelling very uncomfortable. At the arrival in Tornio the expedition must cross the river by a raft and leave the horses on the left bank of the river.
READ IN THE JOURNALS:
A.F.Skjöldebrand:Crossing the river Kemijoki
( a detail)
Kemi 
Tornio
Ylitornio
Pello
Köngäs
Kolari
Muonio
Enontekiö
Kautokeino
Alattio
Nordkapp
Kemi |