Scandinavia 2017

A 30-day adventure by We are Living the Dream Read more

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Trip start
December 18, 2017
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Day 1
Monday, December 18, 2017 at 10:00 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 83 m
Australia Royal Theatre -33.86882, 151.20929633°52’8” S 151°12’33” E
Sydney
December 18, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Today we are leaving on an Emirates A 380 jet plane to Scandinavia for 29 days. The flight will take over 30 hours including stopovers. First stopover is Dubai then Copenhagen and on to our destination in Helsinki.

It has been one of my bucket list dreams to visit Santa in Lapland and today is the beginning of fulfilling the dream of Christmas with Santa.Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 9 m
United Arab Emirates Dubai International Financial Centre 25.204849, 55.27078325°12’17” N 55°16’15” E
Dubai Stopover
December 19, 2017 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Dubai our first stopover on this very long journey and we went straight to the lounge for 3 hours to freshen up.
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM
⛅ 3 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Denmark Copenhagen 55.676097, 12.56833755°40’34” N 12°34’6” E
Copenhagen Stopover
December 19, 2017 in Denmark ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
This stopover was for 4.5 hours and again we went straight for the lounge. John read some emails and I found a comfy spot under my jacket and slept for a little while.
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 6:00 PM
☁️ 0 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Finland Esplanadi 60.164377, 24.94752260°9’52” N 24°56’51” E
Hotel Lilla Roberts - Helsinki
December 19, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C
Finally arrived in Helsinki, Lilla Roberts is home for the next few days.
This boutique hotel is decorated with the original art deco of the 1930s. Lilla Roberts is located amongst trendy designed buildings in Helsinki's historic City of the Guard, just a stone's throw from the busy streets of the city centre. We selected this Hotel due its proximity to the tourist sights.Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 10:15 PM
☁️ 0 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Finland Havis Amanda 60.167386, 24.95032360°10’3” N 24°57’1” E
Kappeli Coffee House
December 19, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C
We unpacked a few items before heading out for for a short walk to stretch the legs after sitting for so long on the plane . Yes, it is late, however, at this time of year it is more like dusk.

We came across this beautiful café and of course the Hopwoods had to stop for a coffee at Kappeli Coffee House. The building was christened Kappeli (the Chapel) as it looks like a church. This café was excellent and we visited a number of times during our stay for our coffee and cake fix.

Kappeli was founded in 1840 by Confectioner Jerngren as a wooden booth in Helsinki's Esplanade, where pastries and lemonade were sold. The booth quickly fell into disrepair and it was necessary to build something new on the site. So the new Kappeli, designed by Hampus Dahlström was built and became the city's number-one summer venue.

In 1883, restauranteur Josef Wolontis obtained the restaurant's rental rights, and under his management Kappeli became Helsinki's nerve centre in the heart of the city, a meeting-place for poets and musicians and alike including the Hopwoods.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 9:00 AM
🌧 2 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Finland church Temppeliaukio 60.172976, 24.92516460°10’23” N 24°55’31” E
Sightseeing in Helsinki
December 20, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌧 2 °C
Christmas Markets are the first agenda item in our walk around the City.
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM
☁️ 3 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Finland Esplanadi 60.164377, 24.94752260°9’52” N 24°56’51” E
Helsinki Sightseeing
December 20, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
Helsinki is the largest city in Finland and has a population of 1.4 million. Helsinki is in the northernmost corner of Europe and is on the Baltic Sea. The Helsinki Archipelago consists of over 300 islands.

The public transportation system is one of the best in the world and it is very easy to walk and bike everywhere.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 12:52 PM
☁️ 3 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Finland church Temppeliaukio 60.172976, 24.92516460°10’23” N 24°55’31” E
City of Helsinki Museum
December 20, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
Now for some history at the City of Helsinki Museum which was different to other museums especially the children and the virtual reality section.

The museum documents and displays the history of Helsinki. Its mission is to record and uphold Helsinki's spiritual, material and architectural heritage. The museum features personal memories and everyday life of the city's residents. Very cool and interesting indeed.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 8:59 PM
☁️ 3 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Finland Havis Amanda 60.169479, 24.95228760°10’10” N 24°57’8” E
Senate Square
December 20, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel 1778-1840 Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland.

During Christmas they have markets which have lots of Christmas decorations, gifts and food.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 10:06 PM
☁️ 3 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Finland Havis Amanda 60.169479, 24.95228760°10’10” N 24°57’8” E
Helsinki at Night
December 20, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
Still walking around this beautiful city, there is just so much to take in and the photos do not show how pretty everything really is, especially at night. The department store window dressings are just beautiful, it's a shame our stores cannot do this.

The day is nearing it's end for the Hopwoods who were getting hungry and tired from a full day of sightseeing.

So obviously our final stop was for dinner which was at a local Finnish Restaurant. We shared a platter of 6 Finnish delicacies which included Reindeer Mousse, Chanterelle Soup and for mains Salmon soup and Elk.

Now on a full tummy time to walk back to the Hotel.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 9:06 AM
☁️ 3 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Finland South Harbour 60.166924, 24.95916860°10’1” N 24°57’33” E
Suomenlinna Ferry
December 21, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
Today we took the ferry to a local Island of Suomenlinna Sea Fortress where we spent quite a few hours just walking around looking at the fortifications.
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Day 4
Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 2 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Finland Iso Mustasaari 60.1454, 24.9881460°8’43” N 24°59’17” E
Suomenlinna
December 21, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) is a sea fortress, which was built gradually from 1748 onwards on a group of islands belonging to the district of Helsinki. The work was supervised by the Swedish Admiral Augustin Eherensvärd 1710-1772. The landscape and the architecture of the fortress have been shaped by several historic events. It has served to defend three different sovereign states over the years, Kingdom of Sweden, Russian Empire and most recently the Republic of Finland.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 11:16 AM
☁️ 3 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Finland Iso Mustasaari 60.1454, 24.9881460°8’43” N 24°59’17” E
Suomenlinna Church
December 21, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C
The Suomenlinna Church was built as a Russian Orthodox garrison church in 1854. The original building had five steeples with onion domes. In 1918 the Orthodox church was converted into an Evangelical Lutheran church, as Finland sought to indicate its new-found independence from Russia. The onion domes of the four smaller towers were immediately removed. Another interesting feature from the renovation is that the church's central dome has doubled as a lighthouse since 1929, making it one of only a few churches in the world that has that dual purpose.

After a little while, refreshments were required so we found a Russian Café and had mulled wine and gingerbread biscuits.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 12:30 PM
☁️ 2 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Finland Iso Mustasaari 60.1454, 24.9881460°8’43” N 24°59’17” E
Ehrensvärd’s Tomb
December 21, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
The Great Courtyard, designed by Augustin Ehrensvärd, served as the main square and administrative centre of the fortress. The houses surrounding the courtyard included the fortress commandant’s house and the main guard house.

In the middle of the square you can see the tomb of Augustin Ehrensvärd
who died in 1772. He was temporarily buried elsewhere for 10 years until the tomb in Viapori was finished. The monument was completed in the early 19th century, just before the end of the Swedish rule in Finland.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 1:01 PM
⛅ 2 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Finland Iso Mustasaari 60.1454, 24.9881460°8’43” N 24°59’17” E
Suomenlinna Dry Dock
December 21, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C
The dry dock in Suomenlinna is the oldest in Finland and one of the oldest operational dry docks in Europe.

The construction of the dry dock began in 1750. The dock’s basins and service buildings served as the base for the Swedish Coastal Fleet’s Sveaborg squadron until 1808. Ships for the Swedish Coastal Fleet were built here in the 1760s under the supervision of the famous naval architect Fredrik Henrik af Chapman.

During the Finnish period from 1918 the State Aircraft Factory used the dock for building the first Finnish airplanes. In the 1930s, the dock’s inner basin was used as a naval submarine base. After the Second World War, Valmet Oy took over the ship-building operations, initially building ships as war reparations to the Soviet Union.

There is so much to see here, we walked around for hours but it is now time to jump back on board the ferry and head back to the mainland.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 3:52 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Finland church Temppeliaukio 60.172976, 24.92516460°10’23” N 24°55’31” E
Rock Church
December 21, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Back on the mainland we then went by tram around the city to Rock Church.
Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Toolo neighborhood of Helsinki. The church was designed by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. Built directly into solid rock, it is also known as the Church of the Rock and Rock Church.

We then went back to Senate Square for dinner. I had the Russian Borscht soup and John a homemade hotdog. We also went into Stockman's department store to purchase some gingerbread as it was voted the best gingerbread in Europe.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, December 22, 2017 at 9:41 AM
☀️ 0 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Finland Esplanadi 60.164377, 24.94752260°9’52” N 24°56’51” E
Leaving Helsinki
December 22, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Today we leave Helsinki for Rovaniemi. We really enjoyed Helsinki with it's lovely buildings and ease of walking around. We only visited a little of Helsinki and hope one day to be back.
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Day 5
Friday, December 22, 2017 at 12:06 PM
☁️ -9 °C
Altitude: 194 m
Finland Rovaniemi Airport 66.563104, 25.83007866°33’47” N 25°49’48” E
On our way to Rovaniemi
December 22, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ -9 °C
Santa is getting closer. We are today going to Rovaniemi which is the capital of Lapland in northern Finland. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, today it’s a modern city known for being the "official" home town of Santa Claus, and for viewing the Northern Lights.Read more
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Day 5
Friday, December 22, 2017 at 2:06 PM
☁️ -9 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Finland Rovaniemi 66.503948, 25.72939166°30’14” N 25°43’46” E
Cumulus Hotel Rovaniemi
December 22, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ -9 °C
Arrived at our Hotel. It is not as fancy as the Hopwood's usually have but still comfortable and close to the main centre of town so very easy to walk around.
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Day 5
Friday, December 22, 2017 at 3:06 PM
⛅ -10 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Finland Rovaniemi 66.503948, 25.72939166°30’14” N 25°43’46” E
Rovaniemi
December 22, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ -10 °C
Unpacked and now time to explore and dinner.
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Day 5
Friday, December 22, 2017 at 6:52 PM
🌙 -14 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Finland Rovaniemi 66.503948, 25.72939166°30’14” N 25°43’46” E
Snow Mobile Tour
December 22, 2017 in Finland ⋅ 🌙 -14 °C
First Lapland tour, which was on snow mobiles. It was so much fun but we did not see the Northern lights even though it was a clear night.
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Day 6
Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 9:27 AM
☁️ -10 °C
Altitude: 92 m
Finland Ounasjoki 66.502104, 25.73704666°30’8” N 25°44’13” E
Husky Safari
December 23, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ -10 °C
Today was so much fun we went on a 2 hour Husky Sleigh Ride in morning.

John drove the husky's very well as we mushed along through forests and around frozen lakes. I would love to do this one again someday.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 12:49 PM
☁️ -5 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Finland Rovaniemi 66.503948, 25.72939166°30’14” N 25°43’46” E
Reindeer Pizza for Lunch
December 23, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ -5 °C
It did seem a little weird at first eating Rudolf but the pizza was so nice and so many restaurants have Reindeer on the menu. I guess it is just like beef on our menu back home.
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Day 6
Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 6:54 PM
☁️ -5 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Finland Rovaniemi 66.503948, 25.72939166°30’14” N 25°43’46” E
Reindeer Safari
December 23, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ☁️ -5 °C
Tonight was a 2 hour Reindeer safari.

The reindeer safari was quite subdued sitting back and being pulled by a reindeer.

Rudolf was no where to be seen maybe tomorrow at Santa's Village.
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Day 7
Sunday, December 24, 2017 at 12:46 PM
⛅ -17 °C
Altitude: 165 m
Finland Myllykylä 66.54547, 25.85053566°32’44” N 25°51’2” E
Santa's Village and Arctic Circle
December 24, 2017 in Finland ⋅ ⛅ -17 °C
Today was the highlight of this trip so far. One of the items on my bucket list is to meet Santa at his home at Christmas. I can now tick this item off the list as I met Santa today and we even had a chat. He was looking forward to dropping gifts to every good boy and girl in Australia, he also mentioned he was 400 years old and he stays young from meeting all the visiting children. We could only stay for about 5 minutes as he was getting ready for the Elves to contact him when the sleigh was packed and ready to hit the sky.

We then walked around Santa's village (which is located on the Arctic Circle) for a few hours, we even came across a letter on Santa's door from a little girl who wrote to Santa which was rather cute.Read more
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