3. How to Speak Finnish

Greetings and everyday expressions
It is always great to have an understanding of the people and the language that they speak. Having looked around on the internet we found the following website that may come in handy with some of the basics of the Finnish Language

It's Called Virtual Finland and the following link will take you there!

VIRTUAL FINLAND 

  © 1995 – 2007, Virtual Finland
Produced by: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Department for Communication and Culture/Unit for Publications and Finland Promotion


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2. Here is a SnapShot of the 4 seasons of Finland

One thing about Finland's Northernly position is that the four seasons of the year are clearly different from one another. The biggest difference is of course between summer and winter, the former being warm, the latter snowy and cold.

 The Following montage of Image and sound brings you a flavour of spring, summer, autumn and winter in this country of Northern Europe whose closest neighbours are Sweden to the West, Norway to the North,Estonia to the South and Russia to the East.

http://virtual.finland.fi/finfo/english/seasons.html 

This again links to Virtual Finland which I've found to be an invaluable source of information about Lapland and Finland.

© 1995 – 2007, Virtual Finland
Produced by: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Department for Communication and Culture/Unit for Publications and Finland Promotion


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3. The Wood Family Story

Dear Brian

Our family returned from our Santa Spectacular trip last Friday. We enjoyed the Santa Spectacular 4 day trip to Saariselka and stayed at the Chalet Waskooli and we all agree that to sum it up is to say MAGICAL, MAGICAL, MAGICAL!

"We were in Christmas card winter wonderland."

From start to end it was perfect. We were greeted at the airport by a Sami handler and his reindeer then it was on the bus singing our hearts out with Christmas favourites. Then on arriving at our chalet, Chalet Waskooli, we entered wide eyed into the most cosy pine log cabin complete with Christmas tree and roaring log fire. Our chalet host, Holly, made us welcome with tea and home made cake. The chalet was home from home with finer details such as a huge bowl of fruit on the table, tea and coffee and juices for the children. Our bedrooms were warm with comfortable beds were we all drifted into blissful sleep each night. Our evening meals were cooked and served by Holly and she looked after every one's needs with a beautiful smile. The web site photo's of the chalet do not do it justice. The added charm also was we had the surrounding area for snowballing, rolling in the snow and then a snowman building competition. I had taken two bags of bits such as hats, scarves, carrots and buttons. It was pure fun and we had Holly judge the winning snowman, of course there had been quite a bit of cheating by the 'winning team' but that's life! For those that haven't time to sort out hats etc I think you can buy snowman kits on line. Staying at the chalet gave us freedom and because we could pop in and out when ever we fancied we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights on our second night, we have never seen such a stunning sight.

Our days were filled with pure fun, snow-mobiling through a Narnia type landscape stopping for tobogganing and hot berry juice then back to a warm and friendly restaurant for hot food and drinks (the hot chocolate drink was to die for). Other activities that were never to be forgotten were the husky sled ride and we all enjoyed the Arctic ceremony. Of course the most dramatic part was to be taken on a special ride through the pine woods to a little log cabin and meet and talk with Father Christmas, it was just our family, our grandchildren stood with pink cheeks, shining eyes and open mouths as they drank in seeing Father Christmas and as they tell it 'the real Father Christmas'. The six 'grown ups' all had teary eyes and trembling bottom lips as we watched this magical moment.

The local people of Saariselka are friendly and helpful and will do whatever they can to make your holiday a happy one.

To end our story we know that our grandchildren will pass on to their children and grandchildren the stories and memories of last week, and our family had the most wonderful Christmas that we will ever have.

Our deepest thanks to Brian for helping to organise this holiday, always there at the end of the phone or email. Full of enthusiasm and always professional, thank you from us all for setting this up for us.

With kind regards and Christmas good wishes

Margaret Wood and family