Nature is bigger and wiser than any of us
On guiding, belonging and the wilderness of Hiiumaa. A conversation with Viive-Kai Rebane, Activities and Cultural Lead
Some people find a place. Others return to one.
Viive-Kai Rebane grew up spending summers on Hiiumaa, in a cottage beside the forest, close to the sea. Her decision to move to the island came, as she puts it, naturally. It never really felt like a decision at all. As Activities and Cultural Lead at Eha, she now brings together outdoor guiding, photography and a deep knowledge of the island's landscapes, seasons and heritage, creating experiences for guests that go well beyond the path.
Here, she reflects on what Hiiumaa holds that other places do not, why stepping off the track matters, and the one spot on the island that still feels like a fairy tale.
Your role at Eha brings together guiding, photography and the natural and cultural heritage of Hiiumaa. What drew you to this particular island, and what does it hold that other places do not?
All my childhood summers were spent in Hiiumaa at my family’s cottage, right next to a forest. I remember just playing outside from morning to evening, helping my dad with beekeeping, eating things straight from our garden and going to swim daily at a nearby beach. All of those activities are connected to nature, and I think that is why I feel right at home in nature. The decision to move to Hiiumaa came naturally, as this island has always been my happy place. To be honest, it doesn’t even feel like it was my choice, as my heart had always known that this is where I belong- there was never even a question about it.
To be honest, it doesn’t even feel like it was my choice, as my heart had always known that this is where I belong- there was never even a question about it.
You speak about creating safe and meaningful outdoor experiences that deepen guests' connection to the land and seasonal rhythms. What does meaningful look like in practice at Eha, and what does it ask of someone guiding others into the wilderness?
I simply want people to feel connected to something that is bigger and wiser than any of us. For me, nature is really great at putting things into perspective. Just looking at a sky full of stars can shift something inside of us and bring clarity. I love nature like it is my home. And I want to share that love with the guests, as nature always has its way of giving us what we need at the moment. As a guide, the most important thing is to respect nature, but that respect comes naturally if you truly feel connected to something.
Hiiumaa holds extraordinary variety in its landscapes, from open coastlines to beautiful forests and quiet bogs. What kind of scenery can guests discover through the activities at Eha, and do you have a favourite spot on the island?
Life has its funny ways- my favourite spot on the island is actually just a walk away from Eha. An enchanting river valley with an unbelievably pure stream running through it and old pines overlooking the endless blueberry bushes. To this day, the place seems like a fairy tale- and I cannot believe I am lucky enough to guide our guests to experience it. The scenery on the island is ever-changing, and we have carefully chosen our hiking paths to go with the flow of the different seasons.
Eha opens to its first guests this October. As activities and cultural lead, what do you most want guests to discover about Hiiumaa that they would not find without you?
When we go on hikes, I want to give our guests an opportunity to safely step off the track into the real wilderness for a bit. I believe that stepping off the road can be a really liberating feeling, almost as if we would be stepping out of the box that life is trying to fit us. Whether it is on the beach, in the forest, on the bog- I think it is a powerful way to truly connect to the natural world. Whenever possible, I try to lead our hikes to places untouched by the human hand and away from other people and noise pollution- something that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s world. The west coast of Hiiumaa is also one of the darkest places in Europe- meaning there is minimum light pollution. That allows us to see way more stars than we would see in most of the Europe- that by itself can be a powerful experience.
