2015 Dec. Finland.
Always a delight to look at nordic design and architecture – stripped to the essentials, simple thoughtful design that is skilfully constructed, minimal and yet so so beautiful.
Alva Aalto’s building.
Finland. Design.
芬兰
Finland. Saariselka.
2015 Dec. Finland. Saariselka.
Saariselka was a short bus ride from Rovaniemi. When we arrived at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, we were greeted by the resident Santa Claus! This guy is pretty good, came in complete package with nicely decorated house, a wife, reindeer on leash outside, and working elves. Far more convincing and superior than the rip off guy at Santa Claus Village gift shop that EU Holidays “brought us” to for photoshoot, who did not even wear proper matching pants and charged 20€ for a photo. Oh well, that’s “get real” commercial Christmas magic, ho ho ho. 果真是做戏得要做全套，赞！:)
Had a simple but nicely prepared 3-course set dinner provided for the group by the resort. A creamy vegetable soup, followed by fish main course, and completed with berry mousse dessert. I guess it is all about luck when it comes to hotel food, some can be so bad but some can offer such delightful surprise! Continue Reading
Finland. Rovaniemi.
2015 Dec. Finland. Rovaniemi.
Flew in to Rovaniemi from Helsinki, and was greeted by the stunningly gorgeous white winter landscape. So cool and excited, I’m in Lapland, the Arctic Circle! I really want to see the aurora!
Dining in Helsinki
2015 Dec. Finland. Dining in Helsinki.
Before the trip, friends were telling me Nordic food is boring, and I am gonna eat salmon, salmon and salmon. It didn’t help when on the first day upon arrival, the local tour guide shared that Finland is not big on farming and local produce is very limited. Undeterred and determined to make a good trip with good food memories, I did my homework and made several reservations at recommended restaurants in Helsinki before the trip. Continue Reading
Finland. Helsinki.
2015 Dec. Finland. Helsinki.
Experiencing the beautiful white winter wonderland and Christmas magic in Arctic Circle was a memorable experience. I had initially planned to fly to Moscow and then travel to Finland by train, only to find out that travelling to Moscow in Dec is a really bad idea. Changed my plans and went on a packaged tour with EU Holidays instead due to cost and logistic considerations, my first taste of packaged tour, and hopefully the last too. 🙂
Flew in to Helsinki and arrived really early in the morning. Had a cuppa and bought local sim card and data plan at the airport, before the tour bus took us into Helsinki city centre at daybreak. The changing light conditions at dawn was simply gorgeous.
