wow an LJ post! Kiruna or Bust!

2015-03-08 21:45
kumimonster: (gilles glassed)
Yes, well life has been happening.
Nothing too thrilling, just work and diving mostly.

And even though I've retired from that previous work that allowed and even facilitated so much travel, luckily, my ability to keep traveling hasn't stopped - although I have cut down a bit.

So this time, I'm headed to Sweden - at the end of this week actually!
I've been to Malmö (while visiting Copenhagen), and on another visit I traveled directly to Stockholm and up to Umeå in northern Sweden. It's still sub-arctic and about 250 miles south of the arctic circle.
This time I'm headed about 100 miles north of the arctic circle to Kiruna and then traveling to Jukkasjärvi - where the Ice Hotel is made every year.

Going with my main travel buddy, Richard.
My flights: SFO>ORD>ARN>KRN
(another new airport for me! Kiruna!)


I've been shopping, which is something I don't like. But I do like some of the new gear I've picked up. The hotel does set you up with gear but I needed my base- and mid-layers. I got a pair of outer layer pants from R, and I got a nice goose down jacket online. R said he really likes his Baffin boots so I got a pair of my own too. My new mid-layer Columbia fleece is teal and actually matches my boots, though I'll be completely covered in black - but at least I know what I'm wearing underneath!


yup, the smartwool socks don't actually match - that's how they came.


my new Baffin boots. Flare - rated to -50C!


people say they really like this company. I hope they work out for me. And a pair of Wigwam socks too.


This is a couple of recent webcam shots from the ice hotel

1225538846-Weather-Jukkasjärvi,-Norrbottens-Län,-Sweden-Jukkasjärvi
ice

***
I posted about wanting to go to the Ice Hotel in May of 2006 on LJ.
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the ice hotel

2006-05-28 17:46
kumimonster: (steenRedBluBra)
thank you [livejournal.com profile] mazisexton

so me n [livejournal.com profile] trollkatt are checkin this place out right now



during the springtime, the hotel melts.
but the art center is open, as is the Absolute Bar.
snowmobile safaris, moose safaris, and dog-sled excursions.
missed the Artic Trail (hotel to ocean) excursion. that took place in March and April

of course, this means a return to Sweden
and a stay in one of the proper ice rooms

i'm coming back to europe september, october, and november.
and i going to have to book a few days here.
any other takers?

Jukkasjärvi is
about 600km north of Umeå.
about 200km north of the Artic Circle
on the banks of the Torne River
serviced by Kiruna Airpot
(fly nordic, scandinavianSAS, nordkalottflyg)




How to sleep well in -5 degrees C


• The bed you sleep on consists of an ice block and a thick mattress, covered with reindeer skins. You sleep in a sleeping bag. In the morning you are wakened with a mug of hot lingonberry juice.

• ICEHOTEL becomes an ice museum that receives daytime visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., overnight guests take over.

• Before your overnight stay, the porter takes your luggage to a special luggage area. Remember: if you take your luggage with you to your room, it will freeze.

• Heated washrooms and changing rooms are provided in the heated section that is built into ICEHOTEL.

• Women’s and men’s morning sauna facilities and towels are provided in adjacent buildings.

• Common areas for changing and personal hygiene are provided next to our sauna facilities.

• Instead of a door to your hotel room, there is a curtain that you pull shut before retiring. In DeLux suites there are doors with locks.

• Guided tours for newly arrived overnight guests are conducted daily at 1:00 p.m. and 5 p.m. The tours provide information about your overnight stay and the history of ICEHOTEL.

• A breakfast buffet is served in the ICEHOTEL Restaurant.

• Lunch and dinner featuring local delicacies can be enjoyed in the ICEHOTEL Restaurant or the Homestead Restaurant. It is a good idea to reserve a table for dinner.

• Round off your day at ICEHOTEL with a cocktail served in an ice glass at the ABSOLUT ICEBAR. It will warm you up before you trundle off to bed!

• Warm outer clothing is included in the price of accommodation when you stay at ICEHOTEL: snowmobile suit, winter boots, hat and mittens.

• Don’t forget to bring warm clothing of your own.

www.icehotel.com
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