Note: The older the entry, the unlikelier outside links are to work.

It is a weird feeling landing on the airport in Santiago, after spending a few days in Easter Island. All the metal, glass and concrete, not to mention the herds of noisy humans, make you want to turn around and return at once to the solitary, peaceful and simple settings of Rapa Nui. Now here is a place you all must visit. It is not only beautiful and full of things to see, but there is something to do for everyone. I myself managed to climb volcanos, crawl through enormous caves, swim in the shark infested sea, sunbathe on a perfect beach, talk with Moai's, drink pisco, drive a 4x4 over mudtracks (after the pisco?), make friends and enjoy life in general. That's just some points. The island is amazing and it's people are friendly and passionate. And no matter how mysterious or notorious it's past might be, Easter Island today is an intriguing mixture of history living hand in hand with the present, surrounded by some amazing feats of old stone work architecture and breathtaking views. Here you'll find more stuff on Rapa Nui. And remember, when you go, make sure you bring your Aku-Aku along for protection, it might come in handy. And while you're at it, see if you can find a Rongo-Rongo for me. I found one... in the Airport giftshop...
In any case I will return to Rapa Nui, I ate a Guayaba. Iorana Nunu.

Here is an example of our so advanced, so clever, modern-times architecture and logical thinking... (sometimes the page loads poorly so click on refresh if needed). It looks like our little human race is going pretty much nowhere... Or maybe this kind of things happen only in the U.K...? Anyway, drive safely, wherever you are.

Revealing something of our preferences, it seems like the two most reoccuring topics of discussion on kekkuli are Star Wars and ice hockey. I guess that puts us flatly in the "general guy" category, although we try to alleviate that by posting the occasional mind-puzzle. In any event, only a few months after the Olympic hockey games, it's time for the annual ice hockey world championships. With 16 countries playing, when there are actually 6, at best 7, countries in the world where the sport is taken seriously, the games so far haven't been great thrillers: 9-2, 8-1, 5-0, 7-0, ooh, even an exciting 5-3. But once those japans, polands and slovenias are out of the way, perhaps we'll some decent games. Like Austria vs. Switzerland.

And you thought your neighbors were bad...

So I got my Star Wars tickets on Monday. You sort of have to wonder about those people who lined up for months (just a week here in Finland) to be first in line: when the tickets came on sale, I went online and got myself (and 22 of my friends) some excellent seats to the first showing. The beauty of it is that thanks to the time difference, I'll be seeing the movie a good many hours before anyone in the States (except those that bother to download it and watch on their tiny screens first. Pathetic). Be sure that for once I'll try to spoil the movie for the Americans, much as they've done to me so many times before. If you don't want to find out what happens in the movie before you go watch it in the US, don't check up on kekkuli on that day. Revenge!

While on movies: someone went a little overboard in their advertising. I don't know if the line's used elsewhere, but at least the TV ad they have here for the "Scorpion King" has a voice saying: "The most anticipated adventure of the year." Riiighht... remember that other movie that even this site has mentioned about 20 times this year? Besides, Scorpion King's reviews haven't been that great...

More movies to look forward to: Rumor has it that Jerry Seinfeld is going to be in a movie called "The Comedian". And, of course, there's Austin Powers 3. Yeah baby, yeah!

All right, so I'm a day late, but better late than never. I learned only today that yesterday's date apparently has a specific meaning to a certain demographic group. So if you know what I'm talking about, you've already revealed something about yourself. Unless this is yet again one of those things that everyone already knows about and I've simply managed to sail through life without ever coming across it before. And I still wouldn't have, if it wasn't for good old Fark.

A great loss it is and very saddening to read about the death of one of world's great adventurers, Thor Heyerdahl. This tall fearless Norwegian had the courage to stand up for his own beliefs and not only with words, but also with great actions through which he proved true many of his theories and suggestions. After reading various of his books, such as Aku-Aku and Kon-Tiki, where he described in great detail how and why his expeditions took place, I have come to realize that here was a man who tried to teach us many valuable things. Among them are understanding between the cultures, environmental protection and the simple realization that our planet is like the notorius Easter Island. Once we use up greedily all of our resources, we will die. Read my personal tribute to him and add your own.

I will miss Thor Heyerdahl and all that he contributed to our world. I am sure that so will the Moai's in Rapa Nui, those majestic statues that were so close to Thor Heyerdahl's heart, who keep on forever looking towards the horizon waiting for something to arrive. A better future perhaps.

In his honour, I will have a toast on top of the Rana Kao volcano in Easter Island on Sunday. Join me if you can, even if it's only in your hearts.

Well, back from the little trip and I have to tell you, it's a highly recommendable excursion to take. You won't see cities like Samarkand or Bukhara anywhere else in the world. Sure, it's a bit more of a hassle getting into countries like Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan, but if you know the right people to ask for information it gets a lot simpler. And right now, I'm a right person. But in case you'd want more professional advice on arranging a little travelling in the region, go for Asia Travel or STAN tours. I guess the odds of someone deciding to take a trip down there just because I say it should be done are pretty slim, but I'm telling you: do it now before the masses discover it and everything gets ruined by hordes of annoying tourists lining up to see the sights. Just look at Venice!

While we're discussing exotic places, how does a South African comic strip sound like? Madam and Eve is the most popular African comic strip, poking fun at the pretty serious problems the country is facing in its post-apartheid transition. Not only is it funny, but they get extra points for also poking fun at President Bush. And another one.

Truly remarkable has been the political turmoil in Venezuela these past days. Now, isn't it amazing that a dictator-of-sorts can be first ousted by the same military that gave him his power in the first place, an act which was obviously masterminded by the upper classes, only to be later re-instated as president, after an interim government had already been put into place and a new President had been sworn in (all this in one day)? Crazy. Only in South America ladies and gentlemen, that is why I love this continent.

A story for you...

It was the first day of school and the teacher thought she'd get to know the kids by asking them their names and what their fathers did for a living. The first little girl said, "My name is Mary and my daddy is a postman." The next little boy said, "I'm Andy and my Dad is a mechanic." It was then little Johnny's turn and he said "My name is Johnny and my father is a striptease dancer in a cabaret for gay men." The teacher gasped and quickly moved on, but later, in the school yard, the teacher approaches Johnny privately and asks if it was really true that his Dad dances nude in a gay bar. Little Johnny blushed and said, "Nah, he's really an auditor for Arthur Andersen but I was just too embarrassed to say so."

So, once more shall we also joke about the Enron scandal. It's only fair that there is at least something done on their expense for a change (if you know what I mean)...

I am not wiser because I happen to know the answers to the brain teasers. No. I am smarter because I have decided something drastical today which will change my life forever. No Gustav, Im still not gay, sorry. I have simply found some answers I was looking for. You guys will have to settle for the answers below.

1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.

2. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.

3. Freeze them first. Take them out of the jugs and put the ice in the barrel. You will be able to tell which water came from which jug.

4. The answer is Charcoal.

5. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!

6. The letter "e", which is the most common letter in the English language, does not appear once in the long paragraph.

Lately these so-called brain teasers have become such a popular topic on kekkuli.com, that even I decided to post a few of them myself. See if you can solve any of the following six teasers.

1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. There are two plastic jugs filled with water. How could you put all of this water into a barrel, without using the jugs or any dividers, and still tell which water came from which jug?

4. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?

5. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

6. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out.

I will post the answers some other day. Perhaps on tuesday when it is a flag day in Finland and also my birthday (I usually like to think so, but no, the flag is not for me). But most importantly, it is my dear sister's birthday too. Make sure you congratulate her, if you know her that is, or at least know where to reach her (pass me the info too please! Quick!!).

I must be very careful about what I write here today, as it could all be taken as a mere joke (the keen reader shouts at this point "So what's the difference to any other day?"), for it is April fools day today. So make sure you play a fun practical joke on somebody you know. Preferably family, for the others are not forced to forgive you. If you want to see what I did to Jani last year, check out the archives. But while you are lying and deceiving your loved ones, all will be truth what is said here on this page, for we at kekkuli.com are honest, hardworking, amateur reporters with great integrity and a firm commitment to pursuing the truth. Ok, that last phrase was maybe the joke of the day. Anyway, if you ever get bored of this website (I know, I know, that's the second joke of the day!), then you can satisfy your need for knowledge here. Perhaps it will keep you busy while Jani is touring the former Soviet Union and I am taking a three day car trip towards southern Chile. It should be very beautiful now, during autumn time. Bon voyage to us all.