May 3, 2009 - Finnish Lapland

We venture into Finish Lapland at mid afternoon.We venture into Finish Lapland at mid afternoon....

Jul 17, 2008 - Rovaniemi

We then began our drive south to Rovaniemi and Santa's Main Post Office. ... It was a warm and sunny day today at the Arctic Circle! As we neared Rovaniemi, the number of reindeer on the roads decreased and the number of cars increased rapidly. ... Eight kilometers north of Rovaniemi is the main tourist attraction of Northern Finland: Santa Claus' Village and Main Post Office. ... After a nice respite, we left our hotel to explore “downtown” of Rovaniemi. ... Rovaniemi, at least, is not too big of a city so it can ease us into city life. ...

Jul 16, 2008 - Luosto

The alarm rang at 11:50 pm last night to wake us from our nap.The alarm rang at 11:50 pm last night to wake us from our nap....

Jul 15, 2008 - Inari

As we left the hotel and headed north to the town of Inari, we looked for, and after some difficulty found, an advertised “husky harm. ... ) Seeing no signs of humans and feeling awkward trying to gawk through the fence, we decided to return to the car and continue to Inari. ... Eventually, we made it to Inari. ... Why such a huge gift shop here? Well, the Finns and the Sami decided to build a Sami Museum and Nature Center called Siida in Inari. ... The main course was Inari Lake whitefish in a light cream sauce accompanied by carrots and parsnips and a glass of sauvignon blanc from Chile. ...

Jul 14, 2008 - Chasing the midnight sun

“Ugh!” The watch alarm was too early. Not too far after, we reached Sirkka and its resort area called Levi. ... Levi is a large winter ski resort for people from all over Europe, a little Tahoe-esque.“Ugh!” The watch alarm was too early. Not too far after, we reached Sirkka and its resort area called Levi. ... Levi is a large winter ski resort for people from all over Europe, a little Tahoe-esque....

Dec 25, 2007 - Crossing the Arctic Circle

After a surprisingly comfortable 10 hour overnight train journey (saved on accommodation as well) from Helsinki to Rovaniemi we were pleased to see absolutely everything covered in fresh white snow, thankfully we'd bought some super snug snow boots and other gear in New York earlier in the year so we were toasty warm. ... The next day we were driving to northern Sweden and then the farthest tip of northern Norway, however the weather turned ugly (very very ugly) so we settled for a short visit and meal in Sweden before heading back to Rovaniemi. ... That evening we got back on the train to Helsinki, our Arctic Circle experience was over - sadly the northern lights eluded us but pretty much everything else we'd been keen to see/do had been ticked off the list.After a surprisingly comfortable 10 hour overnight train journey (saved on accommodation as well) from Helsinki to Rovaniemi we were pleased to see absolutely everything covered in fresh white snow, thankfully we'd bought some super snug snow boots and other gear in New York earlier in the year so we were toasty warm. ... The next day we were driving to northern Sweden and then the farthest tip of northern Norway, however the weather turned ugly (very very ugly) so we settled for a short visit and meal in Sweden before heading back to Rovaniemi. ... That evening we got back on the train to Helsinki, our Arctic Circle experience was over - sadly the northern lights eluded us but pretty much everything else we'd been keen to see/do had been ticked off the list....

Oct 21, 2007 - Inari Finland: Its -5 outside, anyone want to camp out for the night?

Above the Arctic Circle, at this time of year, you have a 50% chance of seeing the northern lights . The sky was clear, the moon was out and i was in Inari - a town in north north northern finland. ... The town has a population of 500 so there are not too many lights to pollute the sky.Above the Arctic Circle, at this time of year, you have a 50% chance of seeing the northern lights . The sky was clear, the moon was out and i was in Inari - a town in north north northern finland. ... The town has a population of 500 so there are not too many lights to pollute the sky....

Oct 18, 2007 - Rovaniemi, Finland

I crossed the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus's village, met the old man and 10 minutes later it started to snow.I crossed the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus's village, met the old man and 10 minutes later it started to snow....

Sep 22, 2006 - Santa's Village - grrr, that greasy herpetitude

Santa's village is a theme park, heavy in theme but light on park.Santa's village is a theme park, heavy in theme but light on park....

Sep 21, 2006 - Rovaniemi - Short and sweet

Rovaniemi is famous for being a winter resort and for being near Santa's Village on the Artic circle.Rovaniemi is famous for being a winter resort and for being near Santa's Village on the Artic circle....

Sep 8, 2006 - Arctic Circle (Rovaneimi)

It's not everyday that you see bearded men rollerblading with ski poles.It's not everyday that you see bearded men rollerblading with ski poles....

Jun 28, 2006 - finally to finland, and rovaniemi (home of Santa AND Lordi)

Crud! This computer isn't recognizing my camera either, so I am very sad to say I can't post the corresponding pictures, or back-post those Norwegian cowboys. Not much else to say about Rovaniemi, we were on the outskirts of town and only stayed one night. ... But I will mention the hallways leading up to Santa's lap are lined with celebrity pictures with the fat guy, which included Conan O'Brien and Lordi.Crud! This computer isn't recognizing my camera either, so I am very sad to say I can't post the corresponding pictures, or back-post those Norwegian cowboys. Not much else to say about Rovaniemi, we were on the outskirts of town and only stayed one night. ... But I will mention the hallways leading up to Santa's lap are lined with celebrity pictures with the fat guy, which included Conan O'Brien and Lordi....