Chapel Bridge, Lucerne (Panoramic)
Panoramic shot of the famous landmark of Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge and the old town buildings in the background.
Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), Lucerne
Lion Monument is one of the famous place of interest in Lucerne. It's just before the entrance to the Glacier gardens.
Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), Lucerne
Close up shot of the Lion Monument.
Scenic view during the train ride from Lucerne to Geneva
Sun rise over the area, giving a nice golden feel to the area.
Scenic view during the train ride from Lucerne to Geneva
This was about an hour after the 1st photo, and by then we have left Bern, and heading to Geneva. The sun has risen, but still managed to give the clouds some misty feel, making the mountains in the background a "ghostly" feel to it.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève, Geneva
Close up of the details on the are behind the choir bench inside the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève (Saint Peter's Cathedral of Geneva).
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève, Geneva
Interior of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève (Saint Peter's Cathedral of Geneva).
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève, Geneva
Some of the colour glass as found in the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève (Saint Peter's Cathedral of Geneva)
Views from Cable Car Ride - Engelberg
Scenic view while taking the cable car on the way up to Mt Titlis - in this case, a high level view of Engelberg town.
Views from Cable Car Ride, Mt Titlis (Panoramic)
Scenic view while taking the cable car on the way up to Mt Titlis.
Scenery around the gallery up at Mt Titlis
It was foggy thus we were not allowed out of the area, so we were only able to walk out to the gallery and take some photos from there.
Scenery around the gallery up at Mt Titlis (Panoramic)
It was foggy thus we were not allowed out of the area, so we were only able to walk out to the gallery and take some photos from there.
View At Stand, Mt Titlis (Panoramic)
This is taken from the area where we would take the rotair (rotating cable car) up to the end point. It also acts as the place where skiers can ski down to Trubsee. Hence the rack of skis...
View At Stand, Mt Titlis (Panoramic)
This is taken from the area where we would take the rotair (rotating cable car) stops at the end point. Therefore, it is the other (almost) 180 view of the area.
Gulls at Bridge, Lucerne
Walking around Lucerne and saw the gulls all line up on the metal railing of the bridge.
Lucerne Old Town (Panoramic)
A panoramic view from the Rathaussteg bridge in Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne (Panoramic)
View of Lake Lucerne from the mouth where the Reuss river meets the lake.
Husky Safari, Finland
Huskies getting ready for the sled ride.
Husky Safari, Finland
During the time where the huskies were slowly added to the sled, this husky took the opportunity to cozy up on sled.
Husky Safari, Finland
Panoramic view of the area, and houses at the Safari area, with the sunset at the background.
Aurora Hunting (1st Night), Finland
1st night of aurora hunting took us along Angelintie Road driving towards Inari. The "tricky lady" was playing with us - with some faint but interesting displays.
Aurora Hunting (1st Night), Finland
While the aurora was faint, it very much due to the different colours that it was composed of. It was not very strong with the green hues, but then it was magnificent with other colours (not very visible to the eye).
Aurora Hunting (1st Night), Finland
We moved to another location, this time on a bridge that was an intersection of 2 rivers (or they are the same river split into 2 channels at this point). The "tricky lady" was still coy and playing with a weak green hue.
Aurora Hunting (1st Night), Finland
It finally got a little stronger green hue.
Aurora Hunting (1st Night), Finland
Morphed itself into some shape which looked a little like some bird or maybe even phoenix.
While seeing this makes it a success (in terms of aurora hunting), but it does not hit very much on the satisfactory level as it was a rather weak display compared to what we had seen in the aurora watch websites.
Lodge Surroundings, Finland
This tepee is around 200 metres from the lodge that I was staying at during the aurora hunting trip. Nice surroundings with no light pollution.
Lodge Surroundings, Finland (Panoramic)
The snow filled driveway of the lodge where I was staying for the aurora hunting trip. Nice surroundings with no light pollution, which was great for aurora hunting.
Sunrise along Angelintie Road, Finland
Since we were early out of the lodge for our next appointment at the reindeer farm, we started to drive along the road, looking for some wildlife when we were greeted with this nice sunrise ray shining down on the road.
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Cannot determine if it's a moose or reindeer. But since it's not easily spooked, I would have to say this is a moose - even the antlers are a different from the others.
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Reindeer are easily spooked, and this one started to sprint further into the woods when it spotted the van.
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Another reindeer (again), but this one has some battle scars - two deep scratches on its left "shoulder".
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Finnish reindeer that is actually domesticated but left running wild. All of the reindeer in Finland are tagged.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
2nd night came but it was almost a disappointment. We went hunting for aurora, and came up with nothing.
What we did not know is that it would sneak up on us, waking us from our sleep and produced one of the best display, at that time, for 50 years (according to some newspapers after that night).
It started with strong green hues flickering from one side to the other.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
Then the green hue grew very strong, lit up the entire sky.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
It also moved from one location to the other, and back.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
It was such a strong display that some of the group members could sit in the living room, out of the cold and watch the display in comfort!
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
It moves from front of the lodge to the back of the lodge and then back. The owner of the lodge decided to lit some candles around the lodge, which makes a pretty picture to keep.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
Some of the group members prefer to view without any obstructions, so they too were standing in the cold, looking up into the sky and marveled at the display.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
By then, the "tricky lady" has appeared for more than an hour and still does not seem to let up.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
The tricky lady decided to let loose and started to go wild up in the sky.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
As the guide say.. "It's going berserk!"
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
The photographers within the group were torn between taking shots and just stand there and view the grand display...
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
The "tricky lady" put up a great show, moving from different forms and patterns within a few minutes.
Aurora Hunting (2nd Night), Finland
By this time, the display could not mask the coldness that we were seeping into our bones, and more than 2 hours has passed. It was time to head into the warm and turn in for some earned sleep. This was while the display were still strong in the sky.
Our guide did not sleep till 6.30am, taking all kinds of shot, and perhaps time lapse versions, of the aurora.
Temperature Report, Finland
A keepsake to remind (and show) of the temperature which we had to deal with - this temperature (-31 deg Celsius) does not include the wind factor.
This means that the night could be even colder - and yet, the Sami people, whom we talked to, say that this is a mild winter!
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Another Finnish reindeer with a tilted head - perhaps it was puzzled by all the attention (3 telephoto lens were focusing in its direction).
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Another two Finnish reindeers seen along the road...
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
We were supposed to be heading to Porsanger Fjord, Norway, but because of last night late appearance of the aurora and tomorrow's early morning departure back to Ivalo for our flight, we decided against it, and drove around the area looking for wildlife instead.
A young moose graciously stop and let us take numerous shots of it. Although I think it's waiting for us to move on so that it could continue feasting on the bails of hay found near it.
Wildlife around Angelintie Road, Finland
Side shot of the same young moose which had graciously stop and let us take numerous shots of it.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
3rd night started out not very promising... We drove in another direction, but that area seems to be very busy route, with the truckers and cars moving pass the road. We had to move to a smaller road to avoid them.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
But it then started to get better... Stronger hues of green appeared.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
New yellowish/orangey hue which makes this different from the other two nights.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
Another aurora shot, this time with some of the trees being lit by a passing truck.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
Aurora got stronger - which usually means the green hue got stronger.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
Aurora changes its shape and intensity so much, even within a single minute, and this time, it looks like we are travelling into some space warp.
Aurora Hunting (3rd Night), Finland
More of the aurora, this time with a faint shooting star in the top right hand corner.
Scenery of Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Walking in a winter zoo - without the benefit of having all the animals on display as some were moved into some warmer area or in hibernation!
Caught the light that was peering through this corridor of trees.
Snowy Owl – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Among the best thing about visiting the Ranua Wildlife Park was a collection of different owls photographs which I never did have a chance to do so before - starting with the Snowy Owl.
Eagle Owl – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Another breed of owl - Eagle Owl (Unless someone tells me otherwise!)
Great Grey Owl – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
This should be the Great Grey Owl, but I could be wrong....
Perhaps, it's time to pick up a book on Owls...
Great Horned Owl – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Another owl for the collection - this should be the Great Horned Owl. However, since I could not get any references that matches exactly the same looks, I could still be wrong on the breed.
Scenery of Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Another area with snow on the trees catching the bright golden rays of the sun...
Arctic Fox – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Another animal that is not seen, and I missed this animal when I was in Alaska - did not chance upon it during the Denali TWT tour.
But interestingly, this Arctic Fox came running towards us when it saw us standing at the fence, from afar. Don't know why it would do that, and after a while it run back to where it was... then ran back to us again - did that twice!
Wolf - Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
One of the 4 (or was it 5) wolves in the park. Looking rather similar to the German Shepherd breed, that I am wondering if my eyes have failed me in some ways.
Lynx – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Finally got to see what a Lynx looks like... Missed this creature during the Denali TWT tour as it did not appeared during that tour.
I can't help but thinking that Lynx look pretty much overgrown size of tabby cats! Of course, it won't be drinking milk and feeding on fishes like cats do!
Wolverine - Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Another animal that was not often seen, well, not in my book anyway. This is a wolverine, according to the write-up in the park.
Out of curiosity - does it have any resemblance to the Wolverine in X-Men?!?!? I can't see any resemblance at all!!!
Musk Ox – Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniemi
Finally a close up of a Musk Ox, instead of that blob in the fields as seen in the Alaska trip! There were 2 that were lying around in the paddock when we were at that park.
Post Office Logo - Santa Village, Rovaniemi
The logo of the post office located at Santa Claus Village - You can send yourself a postcard which will have a North Pole/Santa Claus stamp on it.
Elf Statue - Santa Village, Rovaniemi
One of the elf statues that can be found at the Santa Claus Village in Rovanemi, Finland.
Church of Rovaniemi, Finland
Walking around Rovaniemi - The Church of Rovaniemi is biggest Finnish Lapland church that was rebuilt in 1950 after the old church building was destroyed during the razing of the town in the autumn of 1944 when the German troops destroyed the city. It's famous for the 14 meters high fresco called Elämän lähde (The fount of Life) on the altar wall.
Unfortunately, we were there when there was a service (an ambulance even appear answering some call apparently) so we did not go in to see the interior.
Scenery around Rovaniemi City
One of the snow covered pathways found around Rovaniemi city.
Near sunset at Kemijoki River, Rovaniemi
The sun does not rise well above the sky during the winter period, thus sunset would usually occurs latest at around 4.30 pm.
Jätkänkynttilä Bridge and Kemijoki River (Panoramic)
Panoramic view of the Kemijoki River with the Jätkänkynttilä bridge, and the "mist: rising from the river waters due to the cold temperature and the sun at the corner.
