In search of Santa-Day 2 brings us to a full day of winter escapades all culminating in a Santa Claus Meet and Greet. Activities include reindeer sleigh rides, elaborate elf logistics, secret codes, and even dog sleds pulled by actual dogs.
Lapland has thought of everything right down to even providing all the winter gear we are wearing. At first I was puzzled at how the staff could possibly know our sizes to fit us correctly.
Turns out the concept of “fit” is completely irrelevant here. They just give you any indiscriminate size and then teach you about layering. By the time you have put on all the extra clothes needed to stay warm, everyone looks like Matt Damon from “The Martian.” For me, it was actually fine, because as far as I am concerned, Finland is another planet.
The good news is all this extra weight and your body’s need to keep itself warm means you can eat whatever you want.
The bad news is the food is not that great. I actually saw reindeer in the grocery store. So far I have been living on bread, butter and Baileys. The girls eat warm donuts non-stop. And in an even funnier ironic twist, one of the few food items the hotel lobby sells is ice cream.
All along the Arctic Circle are rustic little kotas or “warming huts” where you can get out of the cold and have hot drinks and cookies.
“Our cheeks are red and rosy and warm and cozy are we…”
All my kids seem to thrive in winter. Grace loves the bracing cold.
Olivia too is exhilarated by the frigid breeze.
Paige is boss driving the dog sled.
And while I am terrified of being wet and cold, Olivia flings herself in the powder for snow angels.
While my other two wrestle and revel in the snow.
Our reindeer sleigh ride through the polar forest. Brian gets up close and personal with Sven. The reindeer love him.
Look at this beautiful Snow White reindeer.
We travel is these old fashioned wooden sleighs across the deep white snow. It’s ethereal and so beautiful.
My favorite picture of our family.
One of our most fun activities was the tobogganing hills. Here’s Brian giving Grace a push off.
Nothing so exhilarating than speeding down the hill. Olivia was fearless!
Then it was on to Santa’s house where elves welcome us inside.
Here Santa is reading Olivia’s letter to him. He noted that she had a very long list.
Lunch was a Finnish specialty – Spaghetti. But the atmosphere was very rustic and charming.
And then into the enormous Igloo Ice Bar for drinks-more Baileys for me.
Olivia on a snowmobile. They have mini snowmobiles, and just let the kids go to town riding around. I was scared, but Olivia jumped in full speed ahead.
Christmas Eve includes a beautiful Gala Dinner, and it was so beautifully decorated. Very different from the Ritz, but just as lovely as far as I am concerned.
The food was another matter. This is Smoked Reindeer and Reindeer liver. I tried both, and um…they do NOT taste like chicken. Actually, the food was not bad. There were lots of other offerings that were delicious.
Brian even found a church for us so we could attend Christmas Eve mass.
And even though it was all in Finnish…once a Catholic, always a Catholic I guess, because we had no trouble following along.
What an incredible day! To all our friends and family, “Merry Christmas to all and to all…a good night!”