Lapland trip

While our trailer is winterizing in Oregon we decided to take a trip to Lapland in North Finland to experience adventures we have not been able to do till now.

A few words about this area:

Lapland is Finland’s northernmost region, a sparsely populated area bordering Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea. It’s known for its vast subarctic wilderness, ski resorts and natural phenomena including the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. Capital Rovaniemi is the gateway to the region. The homeland of the indigenous Sami people, which extends into neighboring countries, centers on the far north.

Population: 179,997 (Aug 31, 2016)

Area: 100,366 km² (92,667 km² Land / 7,699 km² Water)

A group of retired airline employees which I belong put up a plan for 7 days visit that included :

A direct flight to Rovaniemi (5 hours flight), hotel in the center of this small city with a walking distance to a shopping area (not that I cared about it), full board, transportation to and from activities and a guide .

All included and you could put the wallet in the safe unless you go shopping or to a bar.

We landed in Rovaniemi at noon from a temrature of 17C (62.6F) to minos 5C (23F)

A heated bus took us directly to the supply hall where we were all lent (included in the price) ,heavy over coat, special boots,gloves,hat,warm neck scarf and stockings, this is going to be our outfit for the whole week while we are in the outdoors.

We all looked and walked like penguins having 3 layers of clothes under the coat, but after a while we got used to it and even dressed up in 10 minutes...

At the same evening after a good meal we walked to get used to the gear about half a mile to see the Northen Lights calle Arora.

It is a phenomena consisting of colorful and varied patters in the night sky.They are caused by charged solar wind particles hitting the Earth’s atmosphere and the best time to spott them is in the dark and cloudless nights in the fall and winter.

We were lucky and saw this fantastic sky show before we got frozen…..it comes unexpectedly and goes in a matter of seconds, you need to be patient and be ready with your camera which is not easy having the gloves on.

The next day it was all about snowmobiles, they were waiting for us next to the hotel and each couple geared up and after breakfast got a helmet and an introduction to this fast going vehicle.

The 3.5 hour ride was mainly on the frozen river and the woods, it was allot of fun and dressed properly the only place I felt cold was right hand using the throttle.

After an hour or so we stopped for a break and learned how to fish from the river by drilling a hole in the ice, it come without saying that we caught nothing....

 

After a short rest we all went for dinner and around 10 PM again to see the Arora (some did this every night).

The next day we experienced Northern Deer ride (like Santa Clause was using...)and Husky Dog sleds ride .

Sitting on the Deer Slade was not comfortable and I was happy it was a short ride.

 

The Husky dogs were amazing, all they wanted to do is run and run fast, to stop or to slow down you have to step hard on a a metal bar into the snow it has spikes and it is done by the person that stands behind the sled, you  have to slow down as you make a curve or you might be thrown away...but it was all fun.

After getting used to the gear and the routine we took on the next day a hike of 2 Miles round trip to a frozen waterfall.The way to the falls was down hill which means that on the way back is uphill , although it is a short hike some found it difficult considering the heavy clothing and the path condition that had some ice spots on the way, but it sure was worth evey inch.

 

A Chocolate fundo and a toilet break on the way to the falls, what a treat...

We also did some “Sandal” walking in the deep snow , very good for morning exercise.

The next morning we woke up at 4:30 AM to be able to catch the Arctic Ice Breaker Ship SAMPO that leaves at 8AM a 2 hours drive from the hotel.This was a very special event as you can see from the pictures below.First we had a Ship tour before heading to the Baltic Sea to break Ice.

The Ship stopped at a certain point where we could walk on the ice and soak in the cold waters wearing special suites.

After 10 minutes the cold water gets to you even after wearing 3 layers of clothes with no coat and they pull you out to the change and have a hot tea, woow no complains now if there is no hot water to take a shower back home.

In the remaining time we went to see High Jumps, ice hockey game, visited Santa Village (a tourist trap), Ice Hotel and a zoo.

It was a unique experience, very tense but enough time to enjoy the minute and come back home with a suitcase full of memories , there is no better time now to plan our next trip that will be in June to Oregon to pick our rig and explore Oregon and Washington till November.

Spring Iris flower Bloom

The great weather invited us to explore The Iris Nature Reserve close to Natanya and  Mediterranean Sea .

The Iris reserve is south of the city, close to the beach and is one of only two places in Israel, where you can still see the colorful bloom of rare and impressive flowers that grow in Israel. The Irises bloom in February – March and attract thousands of visitors from around the country who come to watch them bloom. Netanya Municipality works hard to preserve and enhance this reserve to ensure the survival of one of the rare flowers that grow in Israel.

The best time to hike the 2 Mile hike in the park is ofcourse to avoid the weekends, it was a perfect day to explore the place ,see the bloom and enjoy the quite atmoshphere.

Many of the flowers were still “Closed” and it sure looks promising in the few days to come to experience even better and stronger bloom.

At the West end of the park lies this beautiful yellow colored field and the blue sparkling color of the sea.

Clean,warm,sunny,beautiful,colorful, not crowded these are the words that came to my mind while walking the park.

There are many more places to visit  http://www.flowersinisrael.com/photo-Iris-Nature-Reserve2008.htm but we are taking off to Lapland (North Finland) for a week where the we will experience very cold weather and do things we have not done till now….all about it will be on my next post, till then Chiao and stay warm.

Shula’s Birthday

To all husbands- do not forget your spouse's birthdays .....period ,it is worst than coming late at night and saying I forgot how time flies and worse than saying " honey today the dress looks great on you" ....

So I had a reminder on my Calendar but  I did not forget it anyhow.

It was supposed to be a windy cold day and I worked all around it, we started the morning having breakfast in a coffee shop we use to go and got pampered by the manager with extras here and there ( Not on the diet side but tasty)

As Shula was about to give me the “this is it?” look , I turned the car to an unknown to her road heading South rather than North the way home, “where are we going now in this crazy weather?” she asked , and I just smiled my best mysterious smile. and drove to the Old Tel-Aviv Port, once a regular small boat port and today an entertainment place with restaurants, market and bars.

Befor entering the Port Maket I let her feel the the wind and the rough sea as we like to do from time to time.

The Port Market is usually an indoor and outdoor thing , where you can sit in a restaurant , buy groceries, or get a good fish sandwich and sit outside with a bottle of wine or beer.

But today the dictated the rules and everyone was inside (did I already mention that our lives are dictated by the weather??)

So we got a bottle of wine, 2 glasses ,smoked fish and had a great time.

Mean time WE , I mean Shula did some shoping, dry mushrooms,organic vegies, olives and olive oil.

Although it was already around 2 PM we had no desire to have lunch due to our late breakfast ,the wine and the fish sandwich and I still had some plans for late afternoon which I was not ready to revile yet, so mean time we took a drive along the beautiful beach .

As Shula started to get comfortable with the way things are going till now and was ready to hit home I pulled the tickets for a Jazz in one of the small places in the Port.

One and a half hour of good music,dancing and zipping some more red wine was the great finale of this great day.

So do not forget the Birthdays ….even after celebrating them withe same women for many years.

Now I have to check my calendar to make sure it is marked for  2018…