Got up and had a successful breakfast, sat chatting in the lobby with our American friend, Marcia from yesterday who took all our photos and then decided to pay a visit to the Snow Hotel for a look around before tonight's stay. Had a lovely hot chocolate by the open fire and went to see the animals in the park. Stroked the reindeer and one of the husky pups. Went into the Snow Hotel to look at the carvings in the rooms and took plenty of photos. Made our way bec...

Went on Northern Lights trip last night but got back very late so didn't add yesterday, this is how we got on. Got on a minibus with 12 other english people, and drove towards the Russian/Finnish border where there was no light pollution whatsoever, the night sky was clear and the stars were so bright and close that you felt as though you could actually hold out your hand and touch them. The first sighting just looked like a smoke cloud but Oh My God what a smok...

Yippee, we had our first ever success at breakfast, while on holiday, coffee just as we like it, cooked breakfast ok but we gave the smoked peppered herring a wide berth. Rose did sample the museli which seemed to grow in her mouth and was really only fit for the birds - she won't fall for that one again. Got togged up in 3 layers of clothes ready to explore the local town , as it's a sunny, crisp minus 16 today, found the local church and lit some candles for o...