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Finland
  • Jerome Goodman
  • Isabelle Bergeron
  • Jerome Goodman
  • Isabelle Bergeron

Finland

Off to Paris for 6 days then Finland for 8 days. Going to see Adriel in Rovaniemi, Finland which is right on the Arctic Circle, and the official home of Santa Clause. Read more
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  • Trip start
    February 18, 2024
    Finland

    And so it begins

    February 18, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ -3 °C

    We’re off on our adventure. Magnificent view of the snow covered mountains on our way to Calgary. Great visit with Cindy, Liana & Graycen. Awesome start to our holiday.

  • Finland
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    Arrival in Paris

    February 21, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    We made it to Paris after a long plane trip. We were able to navigate the transit system to our hosts place without any difficulty.
    Our host Hélène graciously offered to take us on a walking tour around the neighbourhood in the rain.
    We visited the Cimetière de Montmartre, where each family has an impressively large elaborate tomb. We walked by the famous Moulin Rouge, up the actual Montmartre to see the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, then dinner at a great little French restaurant: Le Bouillon Pigalle.    Read more

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    Le Louvre

    February 22, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Today was our trip to le musée du Louvre. We are close enough to walk there, and once again our host played tour guide to the many sites along the way.
    The Louvre itself is very impressive and LARGE.
    We spent 6 hrs visiting and yes, we got lost several times during our visit, but managed to find a few gems on the way. We saw a few paintings that were on our 8,000 piece puzzle “🧩 Alexander Magno visiting Apelles' studio”.    Read more

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    Tourists in Paris

    February 23, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Today we hit some of the really touristy spots. Of course everything was just close enough to walk to.
    We started at Parc Monceau and the Cimetière des Errancies where many of the people guillotined during the French Revolution were originally buried. The only thing left is the plaque commemorating the 1,119 heads that rolled.
    A stroll in the nearby park, then off to the Arc de Triomphe. Much larger than we thought it would be. Lots of decorations and details.
    A quick stop at the Flamme de la Liberté, a copy of the actual flame found atop the Statue of Liberty in NY which happens to be located above the entrance of the tunnel where Lady Diana died 1997.
    Then a visit to the home of Ratatouille in the vast underground sewers of Paris. We were pleased to come across this hidden gem of a museum.
    Close by is the Eiffel Tower (can’t go to Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower). Even though it was fenced off and closed due to a strike (no not the tractor one), it was still impressive.
    Then on our way back home we walked down Avenue Montaigne where all the really, really expen$ive $tore$ are: Armani, Prada, Dior, Vuitton, Channel, Gucci and more.
    All an all, we walked over 17 km today.    Read more

  • Finland

    Versailles

    February 24, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Took the train to Versailles for the day. Hélène our host accompanied us to the gates. The palace was as grand and opulent as they said it would be. We learned about the many king Louis. It’s amazing how the nobility lived on a totally different planet than the rest of France. No wonder there was a revolution.
    Afterwards we had a fantastic French meal with our hosts.    Read more

  • Finland

    Wandering

    February 25, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    We spent the last two days wandering through the streets of Paris. We came across quite a few gems. We had lunch at an African street market, we walked through les Marais and visited the museum of Paris history. Then we walked to la Place de la Bastille, a very important symbol of the French Revolution. On the way back we caught sight of a few impressive buildings.

    The next day, we took off in a different direction to see le Grand Palais and la Place de la Concorde (that’s where the guillotine was set up for almost two years in 1793-1794. Need I say more?) On the way there, we came to an intersection where there were armed police (read automatic weapons!) at every corner!!! A bit surprised, we asked one of the guards if there was something special going on. He kindly informed us that we were near the residence of the French President and that there were guards there 24 hrs a day. Sorry, no pictures for security reasons…

    We continued our trek along la Seine through le Jardin des Tuilleries, le Louvre then towards the oldest part of Paris to see old buildings and shops on quaint narrow streets.    Read more

  • Finland
    1Notre-Dame before the fire.
    Notre-Dame during the fire.Notre-Dame after the fire.

    Notre-Dame

    February 26, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Notre-Dame
    Today we made it onto one of the islands in the Seine River, Île de la Cité. Home of the famous Notre-Dame.
    The cathedral suffered a large fire back in 2019, where most of the roof was destroyed along with the large spire.
    So the whole area was blocked off for renovations. You might think this was a bummer, but it turned out to be quite fascinating. There were placards all along one side talking about the restoration process. The work done to immediately stabilize the roof area, the planning of the restoration using the same materials as the original, the mobilization of craftsmen from all over. Like I said fascinating. The job at hand is literally monumental. There are over 1,000 people working on the project. You can read about it in the link below.

    Here’s the link to the Notre-Dame renovations:
    https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/notre…    Read more

  • Finland
    1Paris traffic
    1All on the same block

    Bits & pieces from Paris

    February 26, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    First thing is the traffic: Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, & pedestrians. Keep in mind that intersections in Paris all have 5 or more roads into them. Cars pull as far as they can into the intersection, blocking traffic. Motorcycles don’t use the lanes, instead they go between or beside the cars. Bicycles are the worst, they don’t want to stop for anything because they would have to put their feet down. Pedestrians go wherever there is a break in traffic or traffic is stopped because of cars jamming up the intersections.

    Paris is funny because you will have all the same type of stores on the same street selling the same stuff. Souvenir shops, crepe stands, glitter shops, and of course sex shops. All right next to each other.

    We came across this guy in the window rolling out dough into flat breads. It was kind of mesmerizing to watch. After a while we decided to go in to eat. So halfway through our meal the power goes out, no big deal lots of light from the windows. Then the place starts filling up with smoke because the hood fan was not working anymore. We were almost ready to make it a takeout meal when they finally got the power back on and the smoke quickly cleared up. Happy ending!    Read more

  • Finland
    1111Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi.Arctic Circle in the Yukon

    Rovaniemi - The official Home of Santa

    February 28, 2024 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ -1 °C

    We have arrived at the official home of Santa!
    We spent the afternoon visiting Santa’s village and workshop, bought a few presents and saw Rudolf and his buddies, then took a break for some gingerbread hot chocolate.
    Santa’s village is located on the arctic circle. Quite different from the Arctic circle we know in Canada!
    We met several players from Adriel’s volleyball team at practice and finished the day with a lovely meal at Gustav’s.    Read more

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    Enjoying Winter

    February 29, 2024 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    Rovaniemi is a very active town. The Santasport Complex where Adriel trains is Finland’s northern olympic training centre. There are several well-lit walking and x-country ski trails which are very well used under any weather by people of all ages. It is very nice to see how everyone here seems to embrace the cold and the long winter nights. We explored a few today.Read more

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    Arktikum

    March 1, 2024 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    We’ve been catching up with Adriel, and meeting some of her teammates.
    We visited the Arktikum a northern museum which focuses on Arctic life. There was also a quick trip to the science centre. It was mostly for kids so of course we fit right in. Our great accomplishment was to get all 4 balls in there designated spaces on the rocking table.Read more

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    Game Day

    March 2, 2024 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    Arctic Volley was hosting Hämeenlinnan at home. Except that home was an hour and a half away. A small road trip by Finish standards. The game was held in Sodankylän to acknowledge one of their main sponsors.
    It was a very exciting game. The visitors took the first set in extra points 24-26. The Arctic Volley convincingly grabbed the second set 25-15. Adriel served out the set with 6 serves in a row. Visitors came back in another close set 22-25. 4th set saw the home team tie it back up at 2 sets a piece 25-20.
    So we go to a fifth and deciding set (first to 15 points). The home team was in complete control for the whole set 15-9.
    Adriel ended up getting player of the game for Arctic Volley.    Read more

  • Finland
    2Maanu the friendly reindeer12Reindeer soup

    Reindeer Races

    March 3, 2024 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    Today, we experienced a true tradition of the Scandinavian North. Reindeer Racing. Lapones take their reindeer races very seriously. First, they select a young male reindeer who has a grumpy temperament, who doesn’t like to be petted and runs away from humans and then train it to race. There are several races in a year, usually in the spring and the contestant must race a 1 km track under 1 min 25 sec. Pros will run under 1 min 19 sec. You can race your own reindeer or owners can hire a “rider”, a bit like horse racing. It is a short, exciting race and very fun to watch!Read more

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    Last Days

    March 7, 2024 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C

    Adriel and her team had their last home game of the regular season.
    We went to the Cultural Centre where there were many unique pieces of art. Forgot to take pictures, so here is the one I do have, made with mink tails.
    We got dressed up to take Adriel out for a birthday dinner. Back to Gustav’s for another fabulous meal. Gustav only changes the menu 4 times a year. We were lucky enough to be here for two different menus. Also in one of the photos is Taylor, Adriel’s roommate and Libero extraordinaire.
    Now an early start and a long day of travel (20+ hours).
    And thus ends another trip.    Read more

    Trip end
    March 7, 2024
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