12.1.10

Igloo Village

 
 Glass igloo anyone? Photos from Travelphant

Can't get enough of the cold and snow this year? Why not take a trip over to Northern Finland and enjoy your stay in an igloo. There are two types available over at Hotel Kakslauttanen, the glass version and the snow version. The glass one looks like clear transparent ice and it is meant for guests to enjoy the northern lights from the cozy confines of a room temperature dwelling.
 
Northern lights. Photos from Travelphant
If that sounds too comfortable for you there is a regular snow igloo for you to enjoy. You will get a down sleeping bag, woolen socks and a hood. Yikes! Be sure to pack some fur underwear too. It does stay "between -3c and -6c so you will never feel cold" it says on the website (hmm I think my southern blood would be cold in that temperature).
The Ice Bar. Photo from Travelphant 
 
Glass Kota. Photo from Hotel Kakslauttanen

If you feel adventurous you can also make your way from the Igloo Village over to the world's largest Snow Restaurant. Or make your way to the Ice Bar, now that is where you will find some chilled champagne. If your martini is to strong and you feel like tying the knot, there is an Ice Chapel where you can do that as well. Want to invite some friends over for a Northern Lights viewing soiree? The glass Kota is shaped like a traditional Sami teepee where you can see the lights with libations and laughter.
A Sami family from Norway circa 1900. Photo from Wikimedia Commons

But before you can say appropriation, remember that Sami were a nomadic people and are the oldest known inhabitants of Finland. Their traditional activities include hunting, fishings, fur trapping, and reindeer herding. Sami are the Indigenous people of Northern Europe.

While I couldn't find any prices on the website, my guess is this type of excursion might be out of my price range. Unless Hotel Kakslauttanen wants to sponsor a Native girl to come stay in their Igloo Village. In which case my spring break is the third week of February. I would love to stay amongst the reindeer and see the aurora borealis, in the comfort of a glass igloo of course. 

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Posted by Lisa Charleyboy at 1:51 PM
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10 comments:

  2. US Urban Native Girl12.1.10

    Lisa, you and Rachelle always have the most unique and fun posts. I know you didn't mean any harm, but L*pp is a racial slur. I'm glad to see the Sami get a shout out on this website -- not only do they have an incredible culture, they're also really great about standing up for the rights of other indigenous/Native peoples - most recently the Kalahari Bushmen.

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  3. Kateryna - yes lets book tickets tomorrow for a quick trip! (ha ha I wish)

    US Urban Native Girl - I didn't know it was a racial slur, I used what was on the Hotel's website. Not so great if they are perpetuating usage of racial slurs for a people they are supposedly representing. *Changing now* thanks for bringing it to my attention ...

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  4. DJ TR-ONE/Fly Joint Productions13.1.10

    Yo, those igloos look mad fresh! I can imagine falling asleep to the Northern Lights. I lived in Southeast Alaska for a year, and we had those lights for about 3 or 4 months straight. All night long thr sky was a wave of green perpetually afloat... you could even hear them!

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  5. Holy crap that's GORgeous.

    I sure hope they ship you over there!

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  6. Wow...makes me want to travel to Finland like right away!

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  7. DJ TR-ONE - I have yet to see Northern Lights. I think it would be so great.

    KeriCDN - wouldn't that be nice?

    Karen - I know me too, I keep trying to figure out how I can make it there ...

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  8. Anonymous11.2.10

    FYI. The sami were and are reindeer herders not sheep herders. And many Sami will refer to their homeland as Lapland and/or Sami Land. Many are not offended by the word Lapp just like many Natives here find Injun or Indian inoffensive.

    I just got back from Inari, Finland and it's stunningly beautiful. Go.

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  9. ANON- Thanks for your input. That totally makes sense re: reindeer over sheep. I just changed it. I bet it was amazing! I am kind of obsessed with all things Finnish and Swedish right now. Can't wait to find a reason to go.

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  10. Anonymous28.10.10

    Whoa! That igloo villiage looks so neat! My friends and I are going on a trip to Snoqualmie Pass next weekend and were going to build igloos, but those look crazy! I'm just glad that we will have our Pieps dsp beacons, because atleast if my shotty igloo calapses on me, I have a chance of being found! :)

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