Satu Palosaari
My roots are deep in the Kuusamo soil, and I draw my strength from the nature and animals. I am a wife, mother and mami (step mother) of four children. We also have reindeer and four Lapp reindeer dogs.
I have grown up in nature, and there I have returned to find empowerment. I love observing and studying the wonders of nature, harvesting wild herbs, berries and mushrooms and, most of all, fly-fishing. Working with my hands and doing all kinds of crafts, particularly those I can use and recycle natural materials in, are my passion.
I am a sixth-generation reindeer herder. I have worked as entrepreneur in adventure tourism for 20 years. As nature-based product adviser I have had the opportunity to provide information and skills for utilising Forest Treasures wild food, and about their primitive and unifying power.
I found myself struggling with fading personal strength, and discovered energy treatments: from them I found help for both physical and mental challenges. This aroused a desire to learn about chances to help others in the challenging whirl of life.
The gentle effectiveness of BodyMind Energy Balancing Method in treating diverse problems has introduced me to a new way of sharing a presence with another person.
Mika Lappalainen
My roots are deep set in the ancient forests of Kainuu, eastern Finland, but the north has always been my heart’s desire. Forests, fells and rivers are a constant source of joy for me. My father introduced me to fishing when I was five years old, and I still remember many childhood fishing trips. I took up fly-fishing in 1997.
Previously, I worked in the Finnish Defence Forces as a trainer and sergeant major, until I studied to be a wilderness and nature guide and a fishing guide. In 2009, I was able to turn a beloved hobby into a professional guiding service. In this work I can pass on my knowledge and skills to my customers. In 2010, I moved to live permanently in Kuusamo with my wife, Satu, where we now together continue the family’s old livelihood, reindeer husbandry. At the same time, we also carry on the tourism activities started by Satu’s father, Reino.
Alongside fishing, I have discovered a second passion in life, reindeer husbandry. Living in sync with the cycle of nature, with all its joys and sorrows, is peaceful in its own way. When working with reindeer, I can follow the signs of nature much more closely than when just wandering in the wilderness. In nature, everything has an effect on everything else. Having our own Lapp reindeer dogs join me in working with the reindeer is rewarding. Years of training gives back many times over when I see a dog leading reindeer to roundups in autumn.
When winter turns to spring, there is time to organise/guide long snowmobile safaris to Sweden or Russia. I enjoy safaris of several days with the same guests, as then there is time to get to know people better. On these excursions, the wilderness takes on a whole new meaning and each excursion is unique.
The same principle is present in all of the services we provide. We want our guests to enjoy themselves with us, together, the same way we enjoy our ”work” and hobbies.
