The Såmegården is a clean, friendly place to stay. It only has 5 rooms, a kitchen, and lounge area. There is also a museum filled with artifacts and information about these hardy, resourceful people.
Hand carved, bone inlaid, birch door handle.
Just a few of the displays.
Hand made knives, in bone sheaths. Guess who owns one of these masterpieces now.
These are two of three brothers, on the way to their Grandfather's traditional Sami funeral. They weren't sad at all. In fact, they were incredibly proud that he had lived for 96 years, and was "active and vital to his last breath." They were also excited to see everyone that would be there to celebrate his life.
We walked into town to see the church, voted the most interesting building in Sweden. I think they were right.
The bell tower ringing as we approached the church.
The outside features several statues representing "The ways of being."
The interior shows a traditional "Lapland" style of architecture
A prince of Sweden was an artist, one of his paintings was donated to hang at the alter.
"St. George and the Dragon"
Having enjoyed the wonder of the church, it was time for our bus to Jukkasjärvi, which is much easier to say after a few schnapps.
It is home to the oldest wooden building in Lapland:a church built in 1600, Nutti Såmi Siida:a Såmi discovery center of sorts, and The Ice Hotel.
You walk through the bell tower to get to the church.
Built in 1600, it is in amazingly good condition, and still in use today.
The pipe organ is decorated with birch and carved bone.
Time seems to stand still in this place.
Next we moved on to the Såmi Siida.
Starting at this cozy little hut, where they had really good coffee, and items made by local craftsmen. I overpaid for a handmade knife, crafted by a 20 year old man, learning the skill from his uncle. Then, we wandered out into the dark to see the exhibit. It was 2:45 in the afternoon, and fully night time already.
Early refrigerator, the steps can be removed to keep bear and wolverine from stealing the groceries.
The mobile version.
We teased a girl back home who asked, "What do people do when it's dark all winter?" To which I replied, "Huddle in huts, and wait for the darkness to pass." The picture above is to show what that looks like.
Before we went outside, the lady running the place gave us a bag of lichen to feed the reindeer. She said, "don't be afraid, they are very gentle." We were thinking, they should be afraid of us, they're delicious.
So, we headed out to the pasture, through knee deep snow. We were going to feed some dang reindeer, and get it on film!
This guy was a little piggy, but Jules loved the feel of his velvet nose.
They were very aware of their antlers, and careful not to hurt us with them.
Reindeer selfie! Is he doing duck-face?
As darling as they are tasty.
Now it was time for our 1k walk to the Ice Hotel, expecting everything, and nothing.
Finally arrived, to the restaurant across the street...
and then...
Our first sight of the hotel!
Quick snap of an entrance shot. The doors are all covered in furs.
Then straight to the bar for a cocktail.
Yes the glasses are ice.
You can have anything you want, as long as you want ice cold vodka.
Really starting to warm up to the experience.
Fish in the bar.
Spin the bottle?
The view from our seats.
Entry hall
Some of the rooms:
This one was my favorite, it's called "Mind The Gap"
Pretty crazy stuff.
The hotel is only partly finished, we got to watch a few of the artists still working. They were very nice about being photographed.
I'm not sure if it was the vodka, or the euphoria of realizing a dream, but THIS happened...
Then it was time to wait for the bus, in this cozy little bus stop.
Yet another amazing day.
Yet another amazing day.
