Arrival in Lapland

Flew north of the arctic circle today to Ivalo, Finland to visit with the Samis. We were expecting weather to get colder, but in fact thanks to clear sky all day, temp was actually warmer than the south, somewhere in the 60's. Hoping for the same tomorrow when we visit Sami museum and homes of Samis. 

We walked this small town, which is the hub for this area with gas stations and grocery stores to supply the region. Next closest town of any size is 180 miles away. Told that the Samis get around the country side on Atv's and snowmobiles. The latter are used so much, that most have to be replaced every year. Many lakes and rivers in the area, so boating and camping. Ig here. While walked the town today, Sunday, saw many RV's driving thru town. 

At one time, area was also big in panning for gold as one of the pics below depicts. Sat on a pub's deck for awhile in sun drinking beer and chatting with some of our group. Have decided that since beer in Finland is cheaper than Norway, will pick up some for use while on ship. 

Learned today that there are no private schools. Children don't start until 7 years of age and aren't given grades until 6th grade. As long as grades are acceptable, education can continue through college. Having said that, vocational programs are almost 50% of classes offered. 

The other pic below depicts those who were involved in WWII. The building in the other pic is a sauna, which are everywhere here including in the hotel. The process is to sit in heat and then either jump in cold tub or river. They are known to even cut holes in ice to accommodate this. 

Day 2 in Helsinki

First to explain the picture of the pink dude I posted earlier. It is at the waterfront in the central city and was part of an art project. Guess ther weren't any restrictions. Appropriately, his name is Bad, Bad Boy. The church is a Greek Ortodox church where when we visited we observed a baptism in progress. 

Last night we were asleep by 10 as we were drained. Of course I woke after 6 hours, then every hour after. I got up at 4:30 to work on trying to upload some pics and finally solved the problem, which required me to download the the blogger ap to the iPad. I couldn't figure out how to add comments; therefore the lack of description. Hopefully today's will be described in some fashion.irs

Helsinki has turned out to be a wonderful stop on our tour. Very clean and beautiful. Great architecture, some Russian. We had a 3 hour tour in the morning. The Olympic stadium from 1952's event is still being used. Today Sweden and Finland had a track meet.

In the afternoon, we were on our own and Nan and I explored a bit on our own before we attended a concert in the crypt of a church. Turned out to be a violinist playing a piece he developed to a slideshow of pics of Helsinki in all seasons. Very we'll done and he handed out a free CD of the music.

For dinner we found a brewpub with craft beer and great food. After dinner we went to a Lutheran church which was near where a midnight foot race was planned.  The racers were gathering and a lot of entertainment was going on. Interesting display.

Tomorrow we fly across the Article Circle to Ivalo, where we spend 2 nights with the Sami population, the only indigenous population. We are to have a dinner with them to include reindeer.

One fact we learned at the open market in the city center was that fresh vegetables were in abundance and cheap because Finland was not selling to Russia.

On the city tour, one of our stops was near an area where guys were in small kayaks playing kayak polo, where they can use their hands and paddle to pass and shoot the ball. Kayaks were vey small and thin, requiring super balance.

Below, a Lutheran church built in the 60's after blasting out rock. Second pic is a view of outdoor marker. Third pic of kayak polo. Fourth is pic of the entrance to race gathering place. Fifth is the supply of banannas for the runners. 

Made It

We have arrived on our first stop on our tour, which is Helsinki, Finland. The Iceland volcano began erupting I hear on our way over the Atlantic requiring a slight change in routing and delaying our arrival by 30 minutes.

We have a guide that appears to be good, but have only been with her a short time. She does have a lively personality we hope won't wear on us.

This afternoon we walked the city center, had lunch in an interesting market area. Reminds me of an upscale Singapore Hawker stand. Had a Vietnamese pork sandwich and a Finnish beer that. Cost me a bit more than one of our good craft beers in the US.

Welcome dinner tonight. I'll try to upload some pics later.