Kirkenes
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Time to disembark our fabulous MS Trolljford and move onto the land component of our holiday. We had a great coach and were surprised to find it was -31
degrees outside but we were very cosy and comfortable. Our first look at the beautiful scenery outside the coach as we travelled along on the snow covered roads towards
our first quick stop, the Russian Border. Time for a photo and a chat about the fact we could go no further without documentation, meant time to move on towards the SIIDA
Sami Museum for a visit. The culture of the Sami people was on show here and stories about their lifestyle and history were very interesting.
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After a fabulous drive through the scenic countryside, we reached Saariselka, and our home for the next two nights, Santas Hotel Tunturi.
What a fabulous place, the Hotel was amazing and very comfortable. After checking out and dropping our bags, it was time to go for a walk and check
out the area. It certainly didnt disappoint as it was so picturesque, and the snow and trees along the road made a postcard picture. The trees and
the snowmobiles were covered in snow and the buildings were just picture book viewing. Dinner at night was in a restaurant not far away and the meal and
service was delicious. Something special here we thought and this is our first day. We even had our own Sauna room in our apartment and a huge drying cabinet
for the snow gear. There was nothing we didnt have here and we so enjoyed our stay.
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One of the many highlights of the trip was to go on a Husky Safari and today was the day. We were so looking forward to this and what a great
day we had. After a coach drive to the Husky location we jumped off the coach to hear the dogs barking a welcome below us. How exciting as we could see
them down on the flat waiting patiently for us to arrive. Before we could go we were given instructions on how to control the sleds and what we could expect
from them as well. They were all attached to the sleds and obviously keen to get out on a run with us. One person was in the sled and the other a driver.
You were supposed to swap halfway but that didnt always happen. There was a rope that the driver held taut and if it went loose the dogs immediately stopped
just in case something had happened. They were so well trained, fabulous huskies and an absolute delight to have had the opportunity to experience this activity.
After our long ride we had a drink and food in the welcome hut with the owner of the dogs who explained they were his family. He has 120 of them, knows them all
and they love to run 50 miles a day or they are not happy. The staff and handlers treated them so well we were very impressed and it was just a fabulous,
exciting and amazing day for us all.
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