2 September

After a good and long night’s sleep, I was up for breakfast as usual at 0630, but for the first time since arriving Scandinavia, no-one else I knew was. I had my breakfast, sumptuous, as it was from the wide selection available, and was back to my room by 0715.
I did a few things to tidy up and then enquired at the desk about checking out. I could leave my luggage and pick it up, so I went back to the room, finished packing (and checking that I had left nothing) and then checked out. I left both the suitcase and the backpack so I had the minimum to carry and went out to ride the N. 6 tram into town. Here I changed to the No. 7 tram for a run through new territory. The actual suburbs were along the same lines but each had its unique features.
Housing was mainly in four or five story apartment blocks, which had either garages, retail or commercial premises on the ground floor and a limited number of entrances (the number and A, B and C, depending on the number. Some had vehicular entrances through to parking within a courtyard. Many had restricted pedestrian paths through to garden and play areas within the courtyard. Where the terrain limited building because of solid rock, there were garden or play areas and in one place, an off-lead area for dogs, where all the dogs stood around barking at each other or just ignoring each other while owners chatted.
I changed back onto a No. 8 tram an found its terminus was just at the back of the hotel. However I wanted to get some exercise so I took the tram into town and then walked to the National Museum (closed until 1100 and it was 1020 now). I went and took my trade to the Natural History Museum which opened at 1000. This was very interesting, though quite small. There were displays on the beginnings of life, “bones” where I saw the skeletons of kangaroos and echidnas and “Seasons in Finland” which had displays depicting the appearance of Finland in each season, showing the countryside and the animals. Here I found the deer I hit in France was actually called a European Roe and was full-grown. I also came across a backpack which a schoolchild had left on the floor. I told their teacher and one of the children rushed back to grab it. Another display was of insects found in homes – they must breed cockroaches big up here, which you’ll see if you look at the photos for today (and if I can ever get the photos up – but having now had some time to read my schedule there is certainly Internet access at St Petersburg – and at the airport, but I’m not quite prepared to pay €5 [nearly AUD9] for an hour).
As I left the museum I met the class again. I spoke to the teacher again and she said the children visit the museum as they rarely see animals. I gave her a koala pin for the classroom and explained it was opal in it.
Unfortunately the spell of fine weather had finished. Rain had set in and I went back to the city centre and then walked back to the hotel via the supermarket. I wanted some string, as well as other things, for some security while travelling overnight by train. I couldn’t find any, but hope that strong ribbon will do the same (otherwise anyone contemplating taking my things will laugh so much I will hear them).
Back at the hotel it was that annoying time – too long to do nothing, but too short to do anything. So I did the Scandinavian thing and listened to ABBA on the iPod. 1415 arrived and I picked up my luggage and went to the front of the hotel just as an airport taxi pulled up (I had booked it last night and thought the added cost would be worth is, and with the rain it turned out I was correct). A quick confirmation of the room number I was in (333) and we were off (well, after my suitcase and backpack and me went in). I think I struck the only Senegal musician who drives taxis in Helsinki and talks at full volume all the time. With a commentary on the differences between Senegal, Finland and Australia, the time to the airport soon went and I was ready for yet another of my eleven flights.
When I put my suitcase in, I had forgotten to take the travel books out and put them in my pack, so the suitcase was over the twenty kilogram limit. With a stern warning and a twinkle in her eye, the counter attendant let it go through. Then, of course, was the security check. After all the times of being good, I had forgotten that I had an old coke bottle with some water in it. That got chucked, but then I set off the detectors and had to go through the “very near strip search” routine. Finally I was through – nearly ten minutes!
Walking up to the entry gate (20b) I was spotted by two couples who were heading off on other flights – like old friends after a fortnight together! A quick chat, their plane was loading and I went off. I found a place to sit, but no power, so I continued with ABBA. Then one power point became free, so I moved to that and started writing up today’s blog. A family with a very young girl sat next to me and I got goos from the child and made faces to her while trying to write. My plane was called, so I quickly packed up and even got a wave from the whole family.
I got my ID checked but then it wasn’t onto the plane – simply down to a lounge downstairs to wait for a bus. Before I thought planes had taxied back to the city I had left, but when we got onto the bus I thought it wsa taking me back to Helsinki. The plane was at the other end of the airport! We boarded (the Flying Finn is the name for passengers in the scramble to get seats!) and then we taxied to the other end of the airport before we could take off. Even there we had a delay of over twenty-five minutes – ostensibly a problem with the computer controlling the radar gear in the plane. Finally we were off and headed north – to Kittali! It was a commuter run – Helsinki to Kittali to Ivalo and back to Helsinki. We got our packed meal – a bread roll, which looked more like flat bread with lettuce and cheese inside. I didn’t have a drink of tea as getting out of the seat to go to the toilet looked like a difficult manoeuvre, plus the descent started twenty minutes before we landed. Here also, for the first time ever, I got told to switch off my camera on the descent (amazing as I took pictures on two other Finnair flights two weeks ago while descending and landing without any comment being made). At Kittali most passengers got off, then we had a security check of all items on the plane, then as many boarded again. We didn’t even hit cruising altitude before we were descending into Ivalo – now nearly an hour and a half late!
After this, all things became better. I was met by Anna from Inari Event Lapland, holding my name up. After a short wait for my luggage, we were off in the company minivan (just me!). On the drive into Ivalo and then onto Inari Anne gave me a quick rundown on what we were to be doing and pointed out sights. I contrasted the situation here to that in Australia (she has been out, for a week) and I learned a lot about the local area in a short time. Soon we were at the hotel where I checked in (it has wireless Internet, but it’s not successful in the room) and a TOASTER for breakfast. Breakfast starts at 0800 and I have to be ready by 0900 – I think I will make it.
I’m just going to try downstairs to update the blog, send a bulk email and post some pictures, then I will be off to bed – it’s 2200 already!