Day 11 – Let’s Fly to Finland

Our flight to Finland from St Petersburg was a quick one—flight time of 1 hr 30 min. We arrived at the official airport of Santa Claus in Roveniemi Finland which is located right on the Arctic Circle. After clearing customs and immigration, we proceeded to Santamus (private) restaurant for lunch. We were greeted with an amber colored beverage in small wooden cups with thin leather lanyards. The drink was one that needed an acquired taste to appreciate, as most of us dumped our cups on the plants, as it tasted like liquid reindeer fertilizer. Santamus is a dream come true for its owner, Matti Korva and Elina Viitala. The 33-cornered building was completely burned down by some German visitors in the sauna that they apparently overheated. Rebuilt two years ago in the shape of a gold nugget, the dim lighted interior contains a small pond, babbling stream, numerous candles and a splendid log fire; which was quite warm with the outside temperatures pushing the mercury to 80°F—very atypical weather for the Finland. Crossing the Arctic Circle is a memorable experience. Music on the kantele played by Matti, chiming bells from the Konevitsa monastery set the mood. The ceremony includes the store of Santamus and a boat that arrives out of the mist to the sounds of the sea. We visited the Arktikum , the Museum of the North, housed in a unique glass-roofed building for a special private visit. Santa’s youngest sister was our guide through the house includes the Provincial Museum of Lapland and the Arctic Science Center. Dinner tonight was at the Vaattunki Lodge, a “Lumberjack House” located just outside Rovaniemi in a beautiful forested area next to a rushing stream. Our entrée was grouse that tasted like it could have possibly been reindeer liver. Preferred the Lumberjack House, not the grouse. Entertainment included Lapland local singing and dance, complete in Lappi costume.