Finally, some pics from my trip. I flew into Helsinki and from there took a connecting flight to Ivalo, a Finnish town north of the Arctic circle. It was a very picturesque place, so quiet and serene with numerous lakes and pine trees all around. I loved the stillness of the place.

I stayed the night in a log cabin with a small sauna inside. Definitely one of the best things for such a cold place.

Looks like anything above 5 degree C is considered a heat wave even in summer. Pretty, but definitely not a place I’d like to call home. I’m a tropical creature thank you very much.

Step across the line and you are officially north of the Arctic circle.

These glass igloo houses are for guests to stay in during winter so that they can lie down in bed and gaze at the aurora borealis (northern lights) in winter.

A quick city tour of Helsinki led me to the Helsinki Cathedral (in main pic), the Sibelius Monument, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, and outdoor market by the harbour, and the Temppeliaukio (Rock Church).

A young busker plays his trumpet at the Sibelius Park which is named after composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957).

At Santa’s village in Rovaniemi, where I sent postcards which will be posted to my recipients at Christmas.

Finnair wins – imho – for best designed inflight cups and napkins, courtesy of the airline’s collaboration with renowned Finnish design company marimekko. The marimekko-designed grey blankets adorned with big lime green dots are also a delight to use. I have to sheepishly admit I swiped one of those blankets off the plane. Heehee.