Finland Pt.3

In this third and final instalment (sniff), I set out on two last adventures before returning home from Finland.

Reindeer are commonplace in the arctic circle, both roaming free and in 'use', kind of like a combination of a cow and a horse... and no, not like a corse or a how :]

We visited a local reindeer farm, where they told us all about the lives of their reindeer and then you're told to go and fetch one out of the pen.

Did you know reindeer shed their antlers every year?

White reindeer are believed to be reincarnated people and are kind of sacred up here.

They had a new stag that was very lively and slightly demonic looking.

Next we had to climb inside a sleigh and they hooked up a reindeer to it, as you do - and guess which one we got??? Yes, the demonic competitive stag :[]

There was a group of five of us racing across a frozen lake and all the reindeer were jostling for pole position, but not of them could take our lead position :)

It got very hairy at times, in both senses of the word - with antlers and hooves akimbo, you really had to tuck in and keep out of the way.

Oddly enough, these reindeer just know were to go, taking us all the way round the lake and safely back again without guidance.
Clever stuff!

LOOOSERS! LOOOSERS!
Our following.

After our triumphant victory, it was back for hot drinks and biscuits around a much welcome open fire.



***


Next up was a 90km (56mile) snowmobile trek to the snow village and Ice hotel!

660cc snowmobile *drool*
Not much finesse about these beasts, but raw power :)

Opening them up on the straights was seriously good fun.

Riding time split 50/50, as a pillion passenger it was very bumpy on the back, but I did notice this cool fisheye style reflection in Andy's skid-lid.





Brum, brum - so this is how it was for 007?


There are proper paths for snowmobiles stretching for miles and even proper road signs.


After an hour so, we eventually arrived at the Snowvillage


Inside was remarkably large.


There were 26 bedrooms, each one uniquely carved!


And yes, the beds are made of ice!!!

The mattresses are not ice, of course, and pretty comfy too :}

The whole place was filled with amazing ice sculptures, like this mammoth.

The restaurant with it solid ice tables!

The Finlandia vodka bar with its huge bottle sculpture.

Even the glasses are made of ice!!!
No need for... ice.

I spotted this on the way out!

Now that's health and safety going a little too far.

***

...and a post of this length just wouldn't be complete without something for fans of my bottom...

Easily ranking in the top 10 'coldest things I've ever done' - I took this shot of my bum and the aurora in sub -20c temperature! Cold, butt worth it :0)
(Ahh, see what I did there)

The last evening consisted of a plenty of beer and a Finnish karaoke bar - probably one of the most surreal evenings I've ever experienced!

[FINN]



Today, I'm Most Angry About: Learning my car has almost halved in value in the two years I've owned it! Bummer :'[
Grrr-O-Meter Rating: 6.3/10

Today's Top Tip: Feeling cold indoors this winter?
Simply pop outside for a few minutes without your clothes on.
When you come back inside you will really "feel the benefit".