Further north - and the lights

Well, no sign of the lights yesterday - more of this later. 

Today, we went north to Inari to visit Siida in order to learn more about Sami culture and history.

Siida

We took the local bus up the E75, passing wandering reindeer, frozen lakes and vast tracts of wilderness on our way.  Thirty-five minutes later, we climbed out of the bus outside Hotel Inari and looked for Siida. Eventually, we found a sign that pointed to 'Siida 800m'. We followed the arrow. Some time later, we decided this was the longest 800m we'd ever walked. While it was a beautiful, sunny day, it wasn't warm and we were looking forward to a hot drink. Eventually, we arrived at the museum. It was worth the effort. 

Inari view

Windbreak

  

If you're in the Inari area, go to see Siida. It's not large, but the exhibitions are excellent - and there's a nice, small restaurant where you can have a snack, a meal or even smoked reindeer pizza. The staff are friendly and helpful - and impressively multilingual. 

As the last bus to Ivalo from Inari in winter leaves at 14:15 and we had only arrived on the northwards bus at 11:35, we decided to take a taxi back to Ivalo. 

Sunset at Siida

This allowed us to observe the sun setting and to wander around the outdoor part of the museum, even though the exhibits there are currently closed for winter. Siida's staff proved their professionalism when not only did they organise a taxi for us, but one of them emerged from the reception area into the cold air to

inform  us it had been delayed and she didn't want us to freeze outside waiting for it. May replied that it was actually quite warm today (which it was in a way) at -8C (we're getting acclimatised!) and the staff member agreed, pointing out that, 'You don't really need a coat today'). We said nothing...

The journey back was uneventful apart from a solitary, meandering reindeer on the highway. We got back to the hotel and went for a walk in the hope of seeing the elusive lights. Nothing. Not a flicker. We dcided regretfully that there would be no lights tonight, either. We ate dinner somewhat despondently. Then we suited up and headed out onto the frozen river for a last peer into the skies. And there it was! Red and green pulsating and flashing lights! Of course, thinking we wouldn't catch them, neither of us had brought a camera with us - so all we can do is assure you that we did see the lights again, but that we don't have the photographic evidence we intended to provide!

Tomorrow, we return to Helsinki.