Monday, December 29, 2014

Amazing Northern Lights at the Glass Igloo Village



Yes, the Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis again.. but this time, at the Glass Igloo Village from 7 pm to 5 am! :)

And even more spectacular!!

Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle

On this very beautiful winter day in February 2014, the most amazing thing happened..

Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

It was my dream to be able to stay at a Glass Igloo in Kakslauttanen, Finland..

And I booked the igloos even before I booked our flights! 

Because for me.. no igloo, no Finland ;)

Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

But it wasn't cheap.. so we only stayed for 1 night..

That 5th night in the Arctic Circle we were all waiting for..

Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

And this is how we roll.. our luggages! ;)

Daytime, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

To the igloos..

Daytime, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

And here's ours.. big enough for 2 to 3 people.. with a toilet and sink but no shower.. 

The shower and sauna are at the reception building.. because they would not fit inside the igloo ;)

Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

The door jamb is low, so you have to bow your head down when passing through.. and careful with your ice frosted boots because the tiled floor is slippery when wet..

Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

It is warm inside.. with 2 reclinable single beds meant for watching the skies at night.. 

And to answer what all my friends asked.. "Is it see through?!"

Yes, it is a transparent glass dome, and you can see everything outside clearly.. the sunset, the sunrise, and your naked neighbours inside their igloos! But don't worry, nobody really peeps! haha! ;)

How did we change our clothes? We turned off the lights at night, and changed in the dark..

As for the toilet.. the glass is frosted at that area ;)

Winter at Kakslauttanen, Finnish Lapland

While waiting for the skies to get dark.. we roamed around and walked to the Celebration House..

Celebration House, Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

That house that looks like it was plucked out of a Christmas movie!!

Winter at Kakslauttanen, Finnish Lapland

Where dinner would be served.. but only at 7 pm..

Celebration House, Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

So we headed back.. some to the reception building to use wifi.. and the others to their igloos to relax while waiting for dinner..

Night, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

While lounging at the lobby.. a Brazilian guest came looking for his wife, who was at the sauna.. 

He came to say something to her.. but since we all turned and looked at him.. he calmly shared..

"The lights are out."

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

As if we had not seen the northern lights the past 2 nights.. we panicked again!!

How could we not panic, if that "God, it's so beautiful!" was going on outside??!! :D

 Grabbed our jackets, scarves, neck warmers, ear muffs, beanies, gloves, cameras....

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

Then I ran to the igloos to call the others, but I couldn't find them..

Because.... I was at the wrong row of igloos!! They all looked the same!! ;)

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

Mesmerised once again by these dreamy green and purple lights..

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

Nobody wanted to leave for dinner anymore..

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

So when the lights started to fade a little, we forced everyone to pause and head to the Celebration House..

Aurora Borealis, Kakslauttanen, Finnish Lapland

An hour after, we came out of the dinner hall to see the lights still dancing..

Aurora Borealis, Kakslauttanen, Finnish Lapland

Getting stronger.. filling up the whole sky..

Aurora Borealis, Kakslauttanen, Finnish Lapland

At -27 ÂșC, we forgot how cold it was..

We were shivering quietly.. overwhelmed.. constantly whispering to ourselves..

"Wow... Wow..."

Aurora Borealis, Kakslauttanen, Finnish Lapland

"Thank you Lord.." 

Northern Lights, Arctic Circle, Finland

It was all around.. we did not know where to look anymore.. it was so magnificent.. surreal.. unbelievable.. and I'm not exaggerating at all..

Northern Lights, Arctic Circle, Finland

When the cold finally won over us.. and when our necks could no longer hold our heads facing the skies above..

Northern Lights, Arctic Circle, Finland

We walked back to our igloos..

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

Snuggled up comfortably in our beds, and continued watching the dream through the snowflake speckled glass..

Northern Lights, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

"I wish the northern lights will disappear now.."

Not that I wanted it gone.. but it was already 2 am.. and it was so difficult to close our eyes knowing the lights were still dancing outside.. you just wouldn't want to miss a second of it.. 

You know.. you try to sleep.. then you try to peep if it's still there.. it's still there.. then you try to sleep again.. then you open your eyes again to check if it's still there.. and it was there until 5 am..

Sunrise, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

And so.. did last night really happen??!! :D

Felt like everything was just a dream..

And this sunrise from my bed.. is love x 100!! :)

Sunrise, Glass Igloo, Kakslauttanen, Finland

And now, out to the Celebration House once again..

Breakfast, Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

For a lovely breakfast.. 

Breakfast, Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

And really.. to celebrate!!

I finally understood why they called it the "Celebration House!" :)

Winter at the Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Finland

This has been my most amazing travel experience so far.. 

And I could not thank God enough for it.. for everything! :)



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References:

Full Trip Itinerary and Budget - Finland and Estonia - Northern Lights Itinerary

Glass Igloo Kakslauttanen - www.kakslauttanen.fi


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