Frozen (PowerUp 100%)
It's not hot in here and they know it. The widely open doors of the Snow Hotel in Rovaniemi, Lapland strikes tourists and locals with ice artwork at –5. This unique property is situated above the arctic circle built from scratch and carved by hand each year.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 320
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Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 200
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Sleeping bags for extreme conditions laid on reindeer skin assure you of warmth during the night. An attentive hotel staff member wakes you up in the morning at your preferred time with a hot drink delivered to your suite. It was too early so I didn't photo the man. The same friendly wake up service is provided if the Northern Lights are on and you agreed to be notified so you then reach for your camera grab the tripod and dash outside to photo the aurora borealis.
One of the suites.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 7,200
Shutter Speed: 1/60 Aperture: f/3.6
A gondola shaped double bed in one of the rooms.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 800
Shutter Speed: 1/60 Aperture: f/3.6
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 12,800
Shutter Speed: 1/50 Aperture: f/4
Make sure to dine in the Ice Restaurant or if you want to warm before going to bed or party, the complex also has a traditional Lappish Restaurant with an atrium open fire pit.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 2,800
Shutter Speed: 1/60 Aperture: f/3.6
Sautéed reindeer meat with mashed potatoes lingonberry sauce and pickles.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 12,800
Shutter Speed: 1/20 Aperture: f/3.6
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 12,800
Shutter Speed: 1/40 Aperture: f/3.6
If you think that this is just a peace and quiet getaway only, you are very wrong. The night is young and the on-site Ice Bar awaits you. Don't forget to smash your glass (finish your drink first!) against the wall. Yes, you got it right - that's how they do it over here which reminds me of the fun breaking plates tradition in a Greek taverna which no doubt some of you practiced (even if just accidentally).
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 900
Shutter Speed: 1/60 Aperture: f/3.6
Cloudberry vodka shots in ice glasses on reindeer skin. 10 euro on happy hour.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 3,600
Shutter Speed: 1/60 Aperture: f/4.4
There is an Ice Chapel too where wedding ceremonies are held. Pity there wasn't one on when I stayed here last year as it would have made some pictures perfect.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 2,800
Shutter Speed: 1/60 Aperture: f/3.6
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 220
Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/4
What I will never forget is the funny smile, showing teeth and the crazy big eyes of this white reindeer. I had the pleasure to feed it moss every day sometimes even before I had my breakfast. It is a remarkable creature which managed to adapt to the unique conditions in Lapland, herded by the local Sami people and adored by tourists of all ages.
Camera: Nikon D5600 Lens: Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ISO: 250
Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/3.6
Stay warm and keep smiling.
Day 4 of 14 Days Diving by @bambuka.
This has been posted as a "50/50" but I commit myself to transfer SBD to SP to Power Up 100% based on the program's rules.
Sumptuously. Very good reportage. I already want to go there :-)) By the way, it's not even very far from me, I live in St. Petersburg (Russia)
I think that in a bar you can break not only dishes, everything is ice there. It's very practical and fun :-))
Thank you ever so much @bambuka It certainly is a unique type of accommodation. Lucky you having it at your doorstep - an hour flight to Helsinki and then another plain or train up north will take you to Rovaniemi. The complex has a free shuttle bus too which you can easily hop on from the airport, city centre or Santa Claus Holiday Village. If you ever really consider going there and start planning a trip, just make sure you time it with the Northern Lights peak season (December, January, first half of February) as no doubt you will take stunning photos of the aurora borealis which I am sure all of us here in the WORLD OF XPILAR community would love to see.