Think IKEA, and push it a notch higher

Yep, ladies and gentlemen, that's what Finland's all about. Among the things one'd noticed during the first 12 hours in the country are:

1) Finns are helpful and cheery lot, save for the immigration officers. However, if you have a press ID or a Nokia employee tag, you'll get the stamp quicker.

2) People start their commute to work as soon as 6AM-ish. If you are on the highway it is OK to go fast on any of the three lanes - no much of hogging here.

3) Dog owners are many, and most of them have twin K9s.

4) From furniture to utensils to toiletry box, everything looks so simple yet astoundingly elegant, making all the stuff in IKEA look like rejects.

5) Local brand chocolate, Fazer - damn sedap man!