Rovaniemi, Finland

After 3.5 hours of bus ride from Kakslauttanen, we reached Rovaniemi City Center. We would prefer to stay near the city center than Santa Claus Village, is mainly because of choice of food. We assume you will only find western food in Santa Claus Village, as we are still hunting around for Asian food.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, today it’s a modern city known for being the "official" home town of Santa Claus, and for viewing the Northern Lights. This will be our 2nd chance to view the Aurora, and tomorrow will be the last night in the Lapland. Chances are slim as the Aurora index reading less than 2, as it is still snowing. 

We will be settling down in Hotel Rudolf, affiliated to Hotel Santa Claus which is located in the City Center. Price-wise is about 40% different, and it is just 7-8 mins walking distance away. The only disadvantage is that we only can pick up the key from Hotel Santa Claus. 

After we settled down into our accommodation, its time to fill our tummy as it is already 9pm+. We are delighted that there is a Chinese restaurant (大中华酒家) just at the ground floor of our accommodation, and we decided to give it a try. Resulted, we had our dinner there for 2 consecutive days. They served delicious authentic Chinese food.

Beautiful scene just outside our hotel

Santa Claus Village

Entrance to the Tourist Information Center

2 rows of retail shops, selling almost the similar items

Walls, Table, and Benches are made of ice...

Left: My first time seeing such a Giant Snowman, made of real snow.
Right: Increase the body temperature to walk further

Snowman World - There are many activities in this icy ambiance. Plenty of ice sculptures in the art gallary, enjoy a beer from ice glass in the Ice Bar, Restaurant Ensilumi offers a Lappish cuisine in a warm atmosphere but table and benches are formed with ice, ice skating, sledge down a man-made slope with a pneumatic tube, and spend an unusual night in the Igloo Hotel.

Left: Beautiful snow craving.
Right: Slides from ice sculptures.

Had a beer in the ice bar with the ice glass.

Left: Ice bed. Structure are formed by ice, layered with fur.
Right: Restaurant Ensilumi

Ice skating, but there is too much snow around. Difficult to move around.

Some fun time with the slides

So lovely shot, illumined with Queen's favorite color

Sending Christmas greetings from Lapland.
Who is going to receive the greetings?

These are real Husky comparing to Kakslauttanen.

Rovaniemi City Center

A small scale Christmas Market in the City Center.

Our last night in Rovaniemi. We are going to have our first experience on ............

Stay Tune...