Further north to Kemi
Trip Start
Dec 23, 2012
1
24
56
Trip End
Jan 23, 2013
Where I stayed
Kemi, Lapland, Finland
Friday, January 4, 2013
Making my way to the Arctic Circle, Kemi is the official start of Lapland. The further I go north the deeper the snow gets, which is great because it had started to melt away in Helsinki.
Kemi is a small town on the shore of the Gulf. In the summer it's a resort town by the water, with water sports & beaches the main attractions. In winter there is a blanket of white everywhere and the harbour apparently has ice more than a metre thick. Saw some people yesterday go snow mobiling across the expansive ice. Not my idea of fun sitting on a really noisy machine. Instead I did nature walks around the harbour where the only sound you hear is crunching snow as you walk.
A walk around the township was also peaceful. There are many old, ornate wooden houses particularly close to the harbour. Another pretty church. A gemstone gallery which was interesting, particularly as it has the crown of the King of Finland, who only existed as a King for a few months.
The biggest challenge is the more I go north & off the traditional tourist trail less people speak English. Finnish is a super difficult language with no links to Latin or other Scandinavian countries. So my brief knowledge of Suomi (Finnish) gets me by. Example; word for orange is 'appelsiinitaysmu' whereas the word for apple is 'omena'. I'm lucky that Finnish people are very respectful & patient. There not big talkers until they get to know you, but like Aussies they don't like people who bullshit or show off.
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRONTE!
Comments
How did you cope with the short days?