When I started to document myself about Finland, I dreamed about Lapland. For me, that would be THE trip ! I have to go there. Actually, Lapland is my only reason to go to Finland. (However, I not recommend to go by car by yourself in Lapland because it is quite dangerous and slippery.)
I am so excited bu this trip ! The trip was organized by ESN Abo Akademi. To spice up my stay, my friends gave me 10 challenges !
I booked all the extra activities. You can find my trip's program here : Program Lapland 2016.
That was a wonderful trip ! I really really appreciate ! I was so sad to leave this amazing place : so peaceful, so beautiful, so natural...
DAY 1
Departure for the adventure! I spent 14 hours in a rather uncomfortable bus ... I must admit that the bus is really not my means of transport... But I was so excited !
DAY 2
After a night in a bus, we had a break at the Arktikum museum. This museum is situated on the arctic circle. It was quite interesting. Indeed, we saw a video about the history of Rovaniemi and the region. For instance, Rovaniemi was burned by the Nazis to not leave any mark of their passage. This is why there is no old building. The city was rebuilt and forms a reindeer head.
Then, we went to a place where dream all children, and adults : Santa Claus Village ! This village is situated at Rovaniemi, the Gateway to Lapland. Indeed, the Arctic Circle passes through the village. I was super disappointed by the village... That is only touristic place, without charm and magic. The picture with Santa Claus costs 40€. There are nothing to see except souvenir shops with unhappy sellers. The village of Santa Claus is my big disappointment of this trip.
After that, we arrived at Saariselkä.
Saariselkä is located 250 km north of the Arctic Circle. The small village is located in a mountain area in the Urho Kekkonen National Park, in the heart of Lapland. Temperatures can drop to -20 °C. The shops and activities are located in the center, and the outskirts of Saariselkä offer sumptuous landscapes, especially when snowed. Saariselkä is famous for the various gold rushes that have marked its history. The first took place between 1869 and 1900. The second began in 1936 when Aleksanteri Peltovuoma discovered the golden site of Tankavaara. A few years later, gold panning began in the Lememjoki River. The largest gold nugget ever found in Finland comes from the Luttojoki River, near Laanila. It weighs 393 grams ... you can imagine the joy that Open Kiviniemi had to experience the day he found it. Nowadays it is always possible to find gold in Saariselkä. Some amateur miners come to Finland and there are still some professionals who live off this precious metal.
We discovered the place we stayed : an adorable wood cottage, in the middle of the forest, with a sauna and a fireplace !!! So cozy ! I shared my cottage with 5 other girls : perfect environment and atmosphere !
DAY 3 : Norway --> So fucking cool
We woke up the first day with a little surprise: 3 meters of snow blocked our front door (single issue). It was 6 o'clock in the morning, as much to say that we were not very fresh ... We were afraid at the time (imagine a fire is fired!) Then it harmed annoyed before making us laugh. We were just worried about not being able to go to our 1st activity: go to Norway! Finally, friends have cleared the snow (besides it was they who put it the day before).
After that, we took our bus. We went up north, to go to Norway to make a sauna before swimming in the Arctic Ocean! Inevitably the days are shorter. The sun rises around 9:40 am and sets at around 12:40.
We went to Bugoynes. We did a sauna there and then ran into the Arctic Ocean! I did not think I'd enjoy doing that! But I am very proud of myself to have succeeded (twice). Do not get you wrong, it hurts!
Then we went to a restaurant before returning. Once at the chalet, with my roommates we made a family snowmen! The baby called Frozee and the mother (yes it's a woman) called Olafe (+e for the girl's touch).
DAY 4
In the morning, we went to the husky farm. It was in my bucket-list so no need to discuss, I booked directly ! First, they explained to us how to drive a sled. There are several basic rules to follow: the sled must be one after the other (never a dog must be on one side), braking in the descents and pushing with the feet in the climbs, we balance the sled By putting his weight on one side or the other, one does not descend from the sledge before being authorized.
When our turn arrived, we headed for the start of the track, where the sleds were. The dogs barked each more strongly than the others. On the other hand, these are not husky as we imagine (do not ask me the race, I have no idea!). The dogs seemed to be happy to have been detached, they were running at full speed. They were completely tainted! My dogs were overexcited and fired like crazy. They are hyper strong, it is impressive.
Each sled is pulled by 5 dogs. We sink into the Lapland countryside, among the snowy trees. The landscape was magnificent. We then left the forest to find ourselves on a plain with a pretty white coat. At the change of driver, we had to go fast. Indeed, the dogs pulled with all their strength (and believe me, they have) and the driver must never let go the brake. Different but equally a pleasant point of view. We feel the slightest relief of the track when we sat on the sleds, however, I prefer to drive because I had a wonderful view! The walk amid the trees supporting pounds of snow was breathtaking. I would have liked this safari to last a little longer, it has lived up to my expectations. To do without hesitation if you have the opportunity.
After that, we are waited in a wooden hut, with a crackling fire in the middle and cranberry juice & little cinnamon's cakes before going to see the puppies ! There were so cute :3 Huskies are very cuddly and puppies so light! Some played with my back bag and them mom even left a small hole in the fabric of my bag.
During the afternoon, we went to see reindeer. This is probably the biggest stereotype in Lapland. It was 5:30 pm and it was already really dark. Our guides wore traditional Sámis costumes. They welcomed us and took us to the reindeer. The domestic reindeer must be about 1.20m.
NB: The inhabitants of Lapland are not called the Lapps, but the Sámis. In Lapland, the Sámi language is an official language, with Swedish and Finnish. This population also has its own national anthem, its national holiday (today, February 6), its flag, and its parliament (thanks to its constitutional autonomy).
We settle for two in a sleigh, and the reindeer caravan rushes for the ride. We let ourselves be carried away in silence. Trees, night, snow, far off the tracks of Levi ... This is the perfect image of Lapland. We had the most stressed reindeer in the troupe! He was trying to double all the others but could not. Indeed, each reindeer draws a sled but the head of the reindeer is attached to the end of the previous sled.
The walk takes about 45 minutes. It is now dark night. First, we were warmly equipped and fortunately! Because the night is icy and we do not move in the sleds. In the middle of the tour, we had the right to a hot drink and a sausage around a fire to regain strength.
DAY 5
Before Lapland, I had never tried the cross-country skiing. Honestly, I had the image of a technical sport, super hard and really too physical, reserved only for super athletic person or very good skiers (so not me).
Our skis and sticks (which are different from the skis and poles used to go down the slopes), as well as the shoes, were distributed very quickly. Cross-country skis are very thin, long and light. We went to our place of departure. There, we received a lot of information but above all, we were taught to do cross-country skiing: namely, how to go (useful), stop (useful) and how to fall (very useful lol). This proved extremely simple! I was pleasantly surprised to realize how easy it was. Nevertheless, I had to face several difficulties.
First difficulty: put the skis. They are much less stable than downhill skis. I was unable to put them on my own ^ ^ 'A monitor came to scratch the snow (and ice) under the shoes before fixing my skis. Good after, it turned out that it's a breeze and that I'm just awkward haha.
Second difficulty: Overcoming my fear. Indeed, our hiking path started directly with a descent, rather steep. All my girlfriends wanted me to go in first because my pants were fluorescent green and so if I fall I can be seen from a distance x) (y). The monitor talked to me, I did not understand, so I said yes. It was then that he pushed me and I sprawled lol. But at least I could test the advice of "how well to fall on the ground". Once that is done, I put my ski back on the rails and yeaaaaaah I left! I had a few minutes of fear in the belly but very quickly I loved it! This sport is really cool! The sensations are crazy (yes I do not like thrills, don't dream, it is not a sport of extreme). Moreover, I really had time to admire the snowy landscapes. It was sublime. The forest is white, peaceful, still and silent. It was almost like being in the middle of nowhere. Everything stops. I contemplate. I forget everything. Only the present moment counts.
Third difficulty: heat. Although it had to be around -6 ° C (which is hot for Lapland I must admit), I would die of hot! I even had very very warm u.u So hot that I stopped to remove, my gloves, my bonnet, my scarf, my sweater and open my coat.
I really enjoyed cross-country skiing. I will start every vacation in the mountains!
At the end of the evening, I went on a snowshoe excursion ! To tell the truth, I thought we would see absolutely nothing because the night had fallen for a long time and we went to sink far into the forest. I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I was wrong. The walking was very pleasant although sometimes complicated. Indeed, it has not been easy! We only climbed and descended, without lights, off track, with ice and snow that could rise above the hips! The night forest is beautiful. I loved to scan the cloudy sky and sometimes see a few stars. At the end, our tutor showed us a haunted cabin! Inside you would find a ghost that would haunt you in your sleep until you die! (Because of this, I did not enter the house (just in case)).
As it was the last evening, a party was organized. I did not go but my roommates did. They loved it! I stayed at the chalet with Juliette because after all this fate we were tired. Moreover, that evening, there was planned a big solar explosion: Northen lights assured! Of course, it would have been necessary for him not to snow ... We spent the entire evening scanning the sky in the hope of seeing the Northen lights but in vain ... It is my only regret of the journey: Not having seen aurora borealis. Around 3 o'clock in the morning, our colonies returned to the chalet completely hilarious. They told us all the evening. After that, we showed them the photos and videos we had taken of Chouchou (the mouse) before going to bed.
DAY 6 : Check out + Spa
Here we go ! The last day of this wonderful trip to winter wonderland arrived ... My German roommates got up early to prepare their luggage, eat, prepare the sandwiches for the trip and clean the cottage in order to be ready for check-out at 11:30am. Personally, I got up 1h before and had the time to do everything lol (#FrenchQuality #FrenchEfficiency, it's a joke). Once the check-out was completed, we went to the highest point (and the windiest) to take a last picture of the panorama. Then we went to the spa all afternoon (which is pretty cool, you have to admit). I made my first real sauna typically Finnish (that is to say completely naked).
The Nordic Cold and Night
Winter temperatures are around -30 ° C in Lapland. So I brought almost all my clothes in order to multiply the layers so necessary. In fact, we were lucky, since we were in an unusually warm period. Nevertheless, I dressed accordingly. I am a little chilly, and especially I hate to be cold. I, therefore, carried:
A pair of socks with glued heaters
A pantyhose stuffed with polar tissue
A jeanSki pants
A fine cotton turtleneck sweater or a special hot ski sweater
A very hot sweatshirt from my university
A fine down jacket Uniqlo
A coat
A scarf
A pink bonnet with a soft pom-pom
Cashmere under-gloves
Ski gloves
Without forgetting the ski mask in my backpack in case
At least with all that, I did not get cold!
At these temperatures, a strange phenomenon occurs : the hair freezes! And yes, I had ice in my hair that kept a very strange position. Sympathetic, it gives a style ;). I have glasses, and I can tell you that I spent my time not seeing anything because of the mist that formed on the glasses.
The fact of having very short days is not disturbing for a few days. However, I think that spending a whole winter in these conditions must be very tiring, and the brightness must be lacking (vitamin D). Actually, it made me crazy haha. The sun does not appear for 15 days in December: it is called the polar night. On the contrary, from the end of May until mid-July, we can observe the midnight sun. It never sets, it is the polar day.
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