Chapter 2 - Off to The Magic World... Lapland

The journey began from Dubai on Norwegian Air. Straight to Helsinki and off to Rovaniemi, Lapland on their 3 PM flight. The region was fully draped by a blanket of thick snow. The temperature had dropped below -20 degrees.

Even though Christmas had been wrapped up a month before, the airport was still decorated in glitters. There were many signboards that read 'Welcome to Arctic Europe'.

Lapland airport

View from Flight

Welcome Bord

We had already booked a car (Volvo VX60) for rent from the airport. Since we were fully equipped with jackets, caps and gloves, the chilled weather didn't seem to affect us much (until we face the real arctic wind). We took the keys and went out. It was a tedious task to fish out our car amidst a heap of vehicles covered in snow.

Airport Entrance

We drove straight to our accommodation in Rovoniemi booked via Airbnb. The accommodation was very close to the Rovoniemi river. And a few minutes walk from the city centre. After unloading the luggage, we set out for a bit of sightseeing.

Even after being in nail-biting weather, the excitement pushed us to take a stroll around the city. There were very few people out there. Because it's evening and no more sunlight. Within 5 minutes, we reached the banks of Rovoniemi River. A major Chapter of the river had become ice. A fraction at the centre was still in a liquid state. We saw many people snowmobiling over the ice. They have made a snowmobiling track over the river. Soon, the weather became unbearable. The freezing cold wind drilling through the gloves and shoes. Within 10 mute our mobile phones got shut down due to the chilled atmosphere. But DSLR cam was working fine. Operating a touch mobile on this freezing cold has become impossible for us. Just because every time we need to remove the glove to unlock or check something on the phone. Then within a few mints, our hand was becoming frozen. When it becomes unbearable We left back to our room and stuffed warmer packets underneath our gloves and extra layers of socks on the legs………..

Airport Entrance

Our Car

Street in Rovoniemi

The Frozen River

Ice filled Streets

…… Surrendering has never been in our blood! So after a little heat up, we are ready to move to our next destination. The City Center. It is just 5 minutes away. The tower at the centre of City Center showed -27 degree Celsius. It was fully illuminated in Christmas Lights. There were many ice-statues and iceslides made for children. We spend some time there to too some photos.

Rovoniemi Bridge

Rovoniemi City Center

Rovoniemi City Center

When hunger struck, we went to a restaurant we had noted before - Bull Bar and Grill. The rate is average only.We enquired about the local beer to the waiter. That is something you can’t do without when you visit a new country! Thus, after a round of Lapland Beer, we had a lavish dinner of Salmon Grill, Beef Steak, Pork Ribs, Special Reindeer Grill and Sauced Red Wine. Yummmmm.... It just blew us off! What a taste!!

City Center Weather Tower

Next day, The sun would peek out only after 9 AM. So, we got enough time to get ready. When we get near to our car, the car was completely covered with snow. It took some time to clean and heat up inside. On the way After a sandwich at Subway, we set out to the Santa Clause Village. Santa Claus spends his time at the Santa Claus Village every day of the year to take care of his mission in life; to enhance the well-being of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spreading the message of love and goodwill and the Christmas Spirit across the globe.