THE HAIRY GIRAFFE… IN FINNISH LAPLAND
After one week in Finnish Lapland, it’s time to reflect. How did we experience this journey? What were our joys, disappointments, questions, doubts, and discoveries? This is not merely an assessment of a country but rather of a trip—how we perceived it individually and subjectively.
 We are François and Benjamin, Canadian and French giraffe hairstylists and travel enthusiasts. On this blog, discover our travels, tips, moods, and everything you need to become a giraffe hairstylist and embark on travelling the world. An honest blog with photos guaranteed 100% unfiltered and untouched. |
François’ Travel Reflections
The decision to go to Finnish Lapland became clear to us when I started missing snow and cold. It had been two winters since I was in France, and just as long since I hadn’t experienced a real winter as any self-respecting Québécois would understand it. It was out of the question for me to go through another winter at 10 degrees without seeing a single snowflake.
Snow, At Last!
A real wave of happiness engulfed me as soon as we stepped out of Rovaniemi airport. Snow covered the parking lot! Finally! The cold wind also pierced through our legs: our snow pants were in the checked baggage, which was still at the Helsinki layover. Despite that, I felt cheerful hearing the snow crunch under my steps leading to the car we had rented. I never thought I’d enjoy defrosting a car’s windows so much. It’s crazy how the absence of a snowy winter can affect the mood of an expatriate from colder countries. So, completely fulfilled and in perfect control of the situation, I took the wheel, confident in the past experience gained from driving on snow. There was nothing left but to enjoy the stunning snowy landscapes because in Finnish Lapland, there’s plenty of snow.
Luosto, the Cocoon
We chose Luosto as our base. A charming chalet with a stone fireplace and a dry sauna (Finland’s trademark) served as our refuge throughout the entire stay. A week living in the same place is honestly quite nice. We ended up developing our own little routines: days spent outdoors, returning by mid-afternoon as the sun starts to set, a quick stop at the grocery store, and then straight to the sauna before heading out to hunt for the northern lights!
Additionally, Luosto offers numerous winter activities. Therefore, we had no trouble finding snowshoes and setting off on marked trails for hikes. Snow, and more snow! Nearby, there’s an amethyst mine that adds an unusual variant to the itinerary. Hence, we had the chance to play amateur prospectors… um… for amethysts… sifting through soil in search of these lovely violet stones. It’s playful, it’s fun, and it breaks the monotony of the cold. Moreover, the possibility of keeping all the palm-sized stones found adds real motivation to the search.
Rovaniemi, the Realm of Santa Claus
Rovaniemi is first and foremost the beginning of the Arctic Circle. It’s honestly quite amusing to cross that line on the ground marking the start of the North Pole. Yes, yes, the North Pole, the real one (we even have a stamp in our passport to prove it!). Rovaniemi is above all… where Santa Claus lives, the one and only. On this topic, there has been some debate. For Benjamin, a European, it’s in Lapland where Santa Claus resides, whereas for every Canadian, it’s obviously in the north of Canada where the real Santa Claus lives. Every Canadian child even knows Santa’s address by heart (Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0… The postal code is American, so it’s impossible for him to live in Europe… There, it’s settled!). Anyway, Rovaniemi has a Christmas village. You can take a reindeer ride with Santa Claus. Since we had already taken a sleigh ride a few days earlier, we headed straight to Santa’s house without hesitation. Although the “house” looks more like a hangar, the magic truly happens when you come face to face with Santa Claus (he was quite good for a stand-in, I must admit).
What Else Can I Say?
It’s hard to talk about Lapland without mentioning the northern lights. Our first aurora appeared while we were on the way back to the chalet. A trail of emerald green began to dance in the sky. It was astonishing. We spent most of our evenings chasing the auroras, bundled up in layers of clothing, standing in the snow with our noses up. The spectacle presented by the northern lights is so magical that it makes us forget we’re freezing and turning into snowmen.
Finnish Lapland also offers a vast wildlife that we were able to admire at the Ranua Zoo. Polar bears, lynxes, wolverines, and snowy owls don’t seem the least bit bothered by the cold and snow and gladly put on a show for visitors.
Lapland is also the land of the Sami people. We got acquainted with Sami culture by visiting the Artikum museum in Rovaniemi, tasting some traditional dishes like leipäjuusto (a type of cheese), and sharing a cup of tea with Sami people after a sleigh ride. A very interesting people and culture to discover.
Is Finnish Lapland Worth Visiting?
While Lapland might also be very beautiful in summer, it’s undeniably at its most stunning in winter. This pristine snow that covers everything has a calming effect and gives the impression of being in a world apart (not to mention that pink sky when the sun sets?). However, the days are short, and the lack of light might not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, enthusiasts of tranquility, vast spaces, cold, snow, and ice should find it fulfilling and easily be absorbed by this seemingly magical universe.
Check out Benjamin’s Travel Reflections:
And find all our other articles about Finnish Lapland (detailed itinerary, focus on Finnish food, and Sámi culture…) here:
