Lapland and eastern Finland
 

Hi,


I tought that I'll write a bit about my trip to Lapland and my way back to home. I live at south Finland and take a train to Kolari. It's actually as north as you can travel by train at Finland. I'm planning to visit Norway and then drive back to south along Russian border. There's loads of fantastic gravel roads.


I'm travelling alone with my trusted 1100gs.


Last time I were at Lapland with motorcycle was about five years ago, then we visited at Alta. After that only short work trips with plane.


Well, lets see how things work out this time. I'll load the bike and me to train at evening.


Antti

Looking forward to hearing about it!!

Bike is on the train and i'm having a large beer. Hopefully we both are at same place at morning :)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psab5794bf.jpg



Association for all bikers who are still alive. Free membership for a lifetime.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps443ddff8.jpg

Have nice trip Antti ;)
Be safe, watchout reindeers!

Thanks :)


Drove today about 500kms and I'm sleeping by river Teno near Karigasjoki this night. Network is a bit lousy so I'll post some pics tomorrow if I'll have better net somewhere.


I ain't a fisher but I think Teno is one if best natural salmon rivers at Europe.


I met several reindeers today and also have some in my sausage at the moment :)

Very beautiful area, very good time, very good bike - though bit heavy...

Have a nice and safe ride...
Looking forward to see beautiful pictures.

Do you camp or stay at beautiful bungalows ?

I`m doing both, first night I spent in my tent and for second one I took a cabin.


Day 1.


I arrived at Kolari and met a Russian guy Evgeny who was going to visit Lofotten with his BMW HP2.


I filled her up at Kolari and headed to north. Kolari is located at Swedish border and there is some much traffic from countries to another.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psc739b3df.jpg


I took both gravel and asphalt roads, I had to turn over twice at it was getting too sof and I promised myself that this time I won`t be digging her out from anywhere.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psc4f1a7f0.jpg


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psb3b6fb62.jpg



I had to check if thing called "hätystin" was still where I saw it last time few years ago. Its a machine wich keeps reindeers on the right side of barrier. As the reindeer approach it, it activates. Theres tens or hundreds of these at Lapland but this is a special one. Its a concrete miller filled with Stones and it makes a huge noice. Brilliant.


Looks like the first one was finished so there was new machine too.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps5b5901e9.jpg

Lake Inari.
From here I headed towards Teno-river and was driving among the biggest wilderness areas in Europ.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps98b172fd.jpg


Road signms are written both in Saame and Finnish.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps566d6393.jpg




http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...pse3fc3653.jpg
At this places they take all reinders togethor and filter them to owners and separate those wich are taken to food market.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps7277b693.jpg


Empty houses.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psb13fb4ea.jpg


Teno.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psf1e91fe7.jpg


Got a nice tent Place near Karigasniemi village. Ate some berries and where thinking about to take some mushrooms too but didn`t bother :)



I did set up fire for the night and watched the sunset.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps43e3c526.jpg


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psaa6fb370.jpg


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps55a7be0a.jpg


I did set up fire and watched as sun went down.
Then to sleep.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps143a8e59.jpg


First day I drove from finger to Trangia tool, about 500 kms.
Weather was pretty good for the whole day.


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps5ed96eb6.jpg