Been MIA for many moons since last bloggie entry and had just came back to Cosy Barn 3 for 3 daes already!! Lots MORE hilarous and entertaining bloggie entries on post-home trip!! But 1st, we r stil on the Arctic trip?! Oh man!!
Day 8 was another travelling dae albeit not tt much and less hectic, since itz just a 3.5 hrs train ride from Lulea to Kiruna, after paying a visit to the snowy and dreamy UNESCO Gammelstad Church Town
And so both of them checked out of the hotel but left their barangs with the hotel while they venture out to Lulea city centre in the morning (not evening!!)
And so both of them checked out of the hotel but left their barangs with the hotel while they venture out to Lulea city centre in the morning (not evening!!)
Marpig didnt specifically take photos of them, but during the Xmas period in Scandinavia, households wil lit 7 candles in their homes, akin to the HUGE 1 in pic above (half of it shown)Now, the 7 candles run on electricity (safety, etc) and is a ubiquitous decoration in al of the Scandinavian homes
Marpigz dad did ask Marpig during the trip wat each of the 7 candles mean, which Marpig noe naught. And so, after Googling, herez wat Marpig found:
1st candle - To celebrate Christ's birth and may the light from the candle light the world
2nd candle - In honour of Christ's love to all and may the light from the candle touch every heart (believers + non-believers)
3rd candle - For our families (and children), for they are our greatest gifts
4th candle - For the men and women in the armed forces, who fight to protect our country
5th candle - For our frens who are our greatest treasures
6th candle - For the less fortunate pple; mothers who have no food to give their children, fathers with no jobs, children who go hungry. May the light guide our conscience
7th candle - For those who suffer; the ill, forgotten, lonely, homeless
Anyw, life stil goes on with heavy snowing!! Itz a different kind of "gloom" as compared to the UK!!
On their way to the bustop to catch local bus no. 9 to Gammelstad Church Town, Marpig chanced upon an interesting graffiti. Obviously sm1 dont like paedophiles!! Marpig included!!
And there was the bus!! Eh, but not no. 9... ha!!
Itz quite ez to get to Gammelstad since the pple and bus drivers are frenly. Also, the getting-there instructions are crystal clear; just need to alight at Kyrktorget :P
And ttz the Gammelstad Church Town!! Marpig didnt noe bout this place at al, until she was reading bout wat to do in Lulea. In fact, they would have skip Lulea if itz not bcos Marpig wanted to visit this place. Hear hear PS?! Hope u wont blame Marpig for another dae of travel!! :POnce there, Marpigz 1st reaction was a BIG "WOT?!" Since therez not a single soul (xcept Marpig and PS)
Itz really desserted!! The information counter was also closed. BUT!! Itz supposed to be opened!! Why?! 这是不对的!! No wonder the person did tel Marpig to book a guide if coming down during winter which Marpig didnt. Wel, she said itz OK to go ard town without 1!!
Despite this, itz a nice snowy town, as though 1 is in a fairy tale or walking on a Xmas log with white cream :D (Marpig has never eaten a Xmas log!! Hope she get to this Xmas!!)
Itz peaceful and "warm", since the cottages are occupied and therez cosy lights emanating from inside. Ah~~
The church town is lined with cottages which housed residents, restaurants, shops, cafes. Upon scouting and knocking on 1 door, Marpig found out from the kind ol' shop owner tt the shops were opened, just tt every1 was busy with Xmas preparations. He also invited Marpig to visit his shop if Marpig wants but Marpig declined so tt he can continue to 忙他的More importantly, PS was super cold tt she sought shelter in a rest. Kind waiter gave us Marpigz fav each; mulled wine!! OMG!! More pls!!
Itz sooooooo brrrrrrr cold tt icicles formed from the gutters
Above is the entrance of the rest where they seek temporary shelter. Spot-it: Pig!!
Marpig "scouting ard". Wel, itz really just a pose for the camera but Marpig did scout to the stone church (highlight) to make sure itz open so tt they can leave the rest and seek warm sanctuary in the church
The faymoss church in Gammelstad. Looks abit like Bram Stoker, "Dracula", though itz not on a mountain!! Wherez the carriage with the black horses?!
And indeed, the church offered such warm sanctuary tt they didnt want to leave!!The church was built in the 15th century and is the largest medieval church in Norrland. FYI, Sweden is a long, slender country and hence, itz divided into 3 "lands";
Norrland = Northern part of Sweden, which is 60% of Sweden but only houses 12% of itz population
Svealand = Middle part of Sweden, also the smallest part
Gotaland = Southern part of Sweden, also the most populous
For more info on Gammelstad Church Town (if u want), pls Google to oogle :P
艺术照 of a smaller version of the pipe organ bside the altar...
Another "艺术照" of PS
And so, after resting in the church for a gd hr or so, they left to catch a bus back to the city centre. To pass time and beat the cold with sm "actions", they took a few 无聊 pics
Back to the city centre, they grabbed the scrumptious Maxx burgers for late lunch/early dinner again!! As it would be too late to grab any food when they arrive in KirunaThis time, Marpig had grilled chicken while PS had fishburger!! Oh boy oh boy!! Marpig wil definitely go after the fishburger the next (& every) time she visit Sweden!! :D__ FYI, Marpig did takeaway another fishburger despite having the grilled chicken... so typical of the gluttony Marpig :D)
The gd th bout staying in Amber hotel was tt itz directly opposite the train station, which saved them travel time and lollies. As it was, itz only 4ish pm in the afternoon at Lulea train station but u noe wat winter is like by now, no? :D
The train to Kiruna Gallivare at 17:15
After 3.5 hrs on the dreamy train (itz travelling ylwols, mayb due to the amt of increasing snow as we moved northwards), they finally arrived @ their final destination for the trip, Kiruna!! No delays!! *impressed*Notice tt lady with lotsa barangs? 1 would see lotsa pple going home during this period, in time to celebrate Xmas with families and frens. Itz just like CNY
Above is Hotell Vinterpalatset which they stayed in Kiruna. Was a nice place, although finding it was torturous since itz late, itz much colder here, therez no1 in sight and PS was fainting (literally) due to her illness throughout the trip...
And so, while PS caught her breath and washed herself, the gungho Marpig went out into the lonely and snowing night with her shadow to find the nearest place to get bottled water (therez no kettles in Europez hotels) so tt they wil not die of thirstWas an xxxciting xpedition which saw Marpig walked a few miles up the hill to an almost closing fast food stand. "No water", said lady. And sure enough, therez only soft dirnks in the fridge... how convenient!! Anyw, she told Marpig therez a petrol station further down and so, dragging her trotters and walking with her shadow, Marpig went a few miles to the petrol station to get 2x 1.5L bottled water back to the hotel. Gosh, talk bout the Leetle Match Gal
Was too tired to remember much, only rem the water in the shower was super hot and "scalded" Marpigz cold skin!! Is tt how they make suckling pigs crispy?! hahahaha
Anyw, it was pretty much KO after gobbling up the fishburger tt Marpig tookaway :D)
Great!! 3 more Arctic bloggie entries and shez done!!
