If there is one thing that defines me, it is the word traveller. My husband and I are thick as thieves. He gets equally excited when it comes to travelling. If the sense of Fernweh is strong in me, the call of the north is even stronger. So, after Svalbard, Norway, and Sweden, this girl made her way to Finland for a couple of weeks with her husband.
After a 17-hour journey to Helsinki, we found out that one of our suitcases didn’t make it there. This is also when we found out how wonderful Finns are. The gentleman from Finavia checked that our suitcase was en route and would be at Helsinki airport the next day. Except, we were scheduled to leave Helsinki the next morning and would be on the road for two weeks. Together, we decided that it would best if he could arrange for the suitcase to be forwarded to Rovaniemi airport. We would pick it up from there within a couple of days.
Next morning, we got up at 4 AM for an early flight to Rovaniemi on a cool and foggy morning.
After collecting our car at Rovaniemi airport, we drove to the city center and, completely by happenstance, came upon this international street fair.
We desperately needed coffee by then. We got a Rulla Pulla to share and two cups of coffee. Rovaniemi is right at the Arctic Circle. The chill in the air thrilled me immensely. Despite the tiredness from ten hours of jet lag and the insanely early morning start, I found myself smiling ear to ear. We walked around a bit more and then headed further north toward Inari.
Rovaniemi to Inari by car is four hours and the road is dotted with lakes and forests. We stopped by a few lakes to break up the journey a little.
Our hotel was right by InariJärvi (Lake Inari). I got us a room with a covered balcony so we could enjoy the view. There was another not so obvious reason. If there was any possibility of northern lights, I wanted to be able to spot it.
Before we left, I found out that a solar storm was heading our way. There could be possible aurora sighting. I had been watching the weather radar, and as forecast, the cloud suddenly cleared up and it became bright outside.
I headed out to walk around the lake while my husband went to check out the town and the market. We often explore on our own and then meet up and share our findings. We did another round of walking together before dinner.
After dinner, I was watching the aurora forecast on my iPad. I poked my head out the balcony and there it was, the telltale shimmer. We promptly headed out toward a dark and safe area.
So here was the problem. My camera and lenses were with me, but everything else camera-related was in the missing suitcase. That meant I wouldn’t be able to use the stand and would have to take the photos handheld. Thankfully, I know my camera and my own limitations fairly well. So I adjusted the necessary settings on the camera and hoped for the best.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
The promised solar storm brought bright and bold auroras that night. As we were far up north, the aurora was up in the sky like fireworks. We were surrounded by dancing lights, luminescent and shimmering. Bright one moment, dimming away the next, only to come back twice as strong. Pictures can’t really represent what we experienced that night.
The overcast sky was back the next morning. We drove further northward to explore the landscape with no idea what to expect. We were outside the scope of information available about this area. We found distant hills and meadows that had already turned autumn gold.
After about 1.5 hours of driving, we stopped at the K-Market at Karigasniemi. I found the most amazing chocolate covered grapefruit jam biscuits (cookies) to tide us over until we found a place to eat lunch. We would have loved to go on, but we needed to drive back to Inari and then make the four-hour drive back to Rovaniemi after that.
Once we got back to Inari, we got lunch, did a bit of souvenir shopping and made our way to Rovaniemi.
By now, the rain was back in full force, which made this lake and tree-studded landscape even more atmospheric. The road here cuts through the lake, so there’s water on both sides.
We called from Inari about our lost suitcase and were assured that the suitcase was en route to Rovaniemi that morning. So after dinner, we drove to the airport and found our naughty suitcase sitting there. We gave it a mock scolding about going off on its own and getting lost. It vehemently denied everything and said it found itself standing there all alone and confused. Smiling about having all of our luggage together with us, we were all set for the rest of the journey.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
After a good night’s sleep and breakfast, we were on our way. I love flat rye bread. Over the course of our stay in the northern part of Finland, I had rye bread with cranberry, rye tar bread, and a sweet flavored rye bread. We also had cloudberry jam with squeaky cheese. I don’t take food photos, but now I wish I had.
From Rovaniemi, instead of going directly to Kajaani, we decided to first go east to Oulu. Once there, we meandered through the streets toward the market square. We came across these red wooden storehouses dotting the area. Some had been converted to restaurants, while others looked like offices.
We walked back toward our car though this lovely city park set by the water and started on our way to Kajaani. It is a long way from the north of Finland to the southern part and Kajaani was a good midpoint.
Next morning, before we left Kajaani, we visited the castle ruin. Instead of taking the direct path, we decided to take the wooded path. Then came the rain. Thundering, blustering rain, and we had left our umbrellas in the car. We stood under a tree for a while then decided to run back to the hotel. At the car, after drying ourselves, we headed back out toward the castle once again, this time with umbrellas. You should know that rain hasn’t EVER stopped us.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
The castle ruin is certainly not a grand one. However, set by the Kajaaninjoki River, we found it fascinating and evocative. I read somewhere that it is the world’s northernmost castle ruin. That wet day it was easy to imagine how harsh life must have been there. We walked all around it, carefully climbing the wet and slippery stone stairs to see the upstairs. No castle exploration is complete until we have also walked the outer perimeter.
As we were walking toward the car, the rain came down even harder than before, this time with a strong wind in tow. Elated and smiling, we changed our rain-soaked clothes for dry ones and departed Kajaani toward Savonlinna.
With that, we left the north behind. Our travel from here on will change from excursion to historical.
Until next time,
-Soma
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55 thoughts on “Finland – Land Of A Thousand Lakes – Part I”
Nikki - Notes of Life October 19, 2025 at 14:26
I love Finland and I’m planning another trip there next year. I’m hoping to go to Roveniemi too and call in on Oulu again (it was mid Winter when I last visited Oulu). I’m glad to hear your suitcase finally arrived with you and didn’t go missing.
The Joyful Quilter October 15, 2025 at 17:29
Spectacular photos, Soma!
Amy Johnson October 14, 2025 at 04:29
Wow! What an incredible trip. Those night sky photos are amazing!
RachelSwirl October 11, 2025 at 14:52
Oh my goodness, your pictures of the Northern Lights are insane! I would love to see them this strongly – wow! Thanks for sharing and for participating in #MySundaySnapshot.
Janine @ rainbow Hare October 11, 2025 at 13:28
What a stunning country! That looks like a wonderful adventure :)
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs October 11, 2025 at 09:26
Oh wow! What a fantastic trip. I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights, and you’ve got some amazing shots.
The street fair sounds fun to explore, and I’m so glad you got reunited with your luggage!
Looking forward to part 2. :) xx
Sarah MumofThree World October 10, 2025 at 22:31
What a lovely trip. The Northern Lights are absolutely stunning! So glad you got to see them.
Melissa October 10, 2025 at 20:08
I’m so glad you and your husband have each other to adventure together! What an amazing trip this was, thank you so much for bringing us along!
rainbow evening October 10, 2025 at 07:19
Thank you for sharing fantastic photos of Finland.
Have a wonderful day
Steph@Crazylittlelovebirds October 9, 2025 at 19:08
What a lovely trip! I love that you and your husband enjoy traveling. Isn’t it just wonderful? I’m so excited to feature your amazing post tomorrow at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party. Take care
-Steph
Lydia C. Lee October 9, 2025 at 14:05
Lucky you with the lights! How wonderful. I loved the food halls. All over town we’d go to eat at different ones. So charming! #WWWhimsy
handmade by amalia October 9, 2025 at 06:37
Fun photos of fabulous Finland!
Good for you.
Amalia
xo
Betty Crow October 9, 2025 at 06:28
Betty
Esme Slabbert October 8, 2025 at 11:06
So happy for you to have seen such an awesome aurora
Thanks for participating and sharing at ES #WW #97, see you again on Wednesday
Comedy Plus October 8, 2025 at 08:09
Beautiful shots of a country I would love to explore. Wow.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Lillian October 7, 2025 at 23:21
Amazing sky, we got this in Norway too
magiceye October 7, 2025 at 22:22
Thank you for taking us albeit virtually on this delightful trip!
Min @ Write of the Middle October 7, 2025 at 17:43
Hi Soma, wow – what a trip! So glad you got that naughty suitcase back! The aurora – wow! You did good taking photos hand held – beautiful! It’s on my bucket list to visit the north, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland etc … but to see the aurora is way up there on my bucket list. I think this area fascinates me because it’s just so different to where I live. Beautiful photos. So glad you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
tomthebackroadstraveller October 7, 2025 at 16:44
…and I’d say that I’m a homebody!
Kathleen Howell October 7, 2025 at 10:51
Your lights pics turned out AMAZING despite not having your stuff!! What an incredible trip! I had to Google squeaky cheese.. :-) Thank you for taking us along!
Julie October 6, 2025 at 22:39
What a beautiful trip to Finland. I can’t believe the Northern Lights are already there. I always assumed it’s earlier in the year.
Bri October 6, 2025 at 16:14
The northern lights are stunning!
klara October 6, 2025 at 10:28
gorgeous! the whole trip. and on top being so lucky with aurora borealis. wonderful images.
Melynda Brown October 6, 2025 at 09:43
All those lakes! So much serenity, it looks like a lovely trip!
image-in-ing October 6, 2025 at 08:31
I’ve never seen the northern lights but hope to one day!
You’ve shared some lovely photos this week at. Thanks for joining us!
Carol October 6, 2025 at 04:39
I thoroughly enjoyed your fascinating visit to Finland. Your photos are outstanding; I’ve always wanted to see northern lights, and I’m filled with envy. #MMBC
Susan October 5, 2025 at 11:42
I am always glad t read of your adventures and see the pictures because that is the only way I will ever be able to see them.
an artist reflects October 5, 2025 at 07:55
Wow! Finland looks delightful and thank you for the photo journey with you ~ hugs,
an artist reflects
Michelle October 5, 2025 at 03:21
Amazing! Seeing the aurora in person must be magical. The rest of your journey looks beautiful and fascinating. The castle ruin is especially intriguing. So glad you were reunited with your wayward suitcase.
Life Images by Jill, Western Australia October 5, 2025 at 00:20
wow – those northern lights are spectacular! ANd it looks like you had some amazing places to explore on your travels. Thankyou for taking us along – I doubt I will ever get to that part of the world – so thankyou. Happy travels, enjoy your week and thankyou for visiting my blog last week.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel October 5, 2025 at 00:06
What wonderful photos and what an amazing experience! I am glad your naughty suitcase arrived in the end :)
Sandra Walker October 4, 2025 at 18:14
Wonderful to travel along with you. Having spent 47 of my 65 years in and near Edmonton, Alberta, I am well-acquainted with the Aurora borealis. I’m surprised how green they were for you there but I suspect that has something to do with the solar storm. We are planning another European trip hopefully for next fall. We can’t decide between Morocco, (not European I know), Portugal and revisiting Spain or taking in some Nordic/Scandinavian countries. Britannia has an interesting article about which ones are which! Finland has always been on my wish list as I was a big fan of the Moomin trolls books as a kid.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life October 4, 2025 at 05:12
I would love to travel like this one day. I especially would love to visit these northern countries! Your photos are amazing, and how lucky to see the Northern Lights like that.
Maria October 4, 2025 at 03:39
I am so happy that you had a great time in Finland AND got to see the northern lights. I know by experience that there’s nothing like experiencing them in person. I am happy you got to do that. It is very special.
Eileen October 4, 2025 at 01:41
What a lovely place for a vacation. The northern lights are a treat to see, gorgeous photos. Take care, have a great weekend.
Connie Griffin October 3, 2025 at 18:31
Oh what a fun adventure you have been having. That is great you were able to get the northern lights, we have been able to get them once ourselves, I hand held mine too. Love the old red wooden buildings.
I love going to ruins and imaging what times were like when it was full of people and much activity. We explored a few when we lived in England.
Natalie October 3, 2025 at 17:38
How wonderful to visit Finland and see the aurora there! Glad to read you’ve got your suitcase back. Thank you for sharing your trip and photos with us at #weekendcoffeeshare.
Lydia C. Lee October 3, 2025 at 14:23
I missed you went to Svalbard. Must find that post. We loved it there. Amazing place. I adore Finland. Been twice. Would happily go and explore more. Such a great plance and great people. Love the mentality.
Linda October 3, 2025 at 12:32
Fabulous photos , you have a wonderful time.
Jennifer Wise October 3, 2025 at 11:17
This is just incredible! What a trip. I have wanderlust, too, but have never considered Finland. It looks so lovely. And, wow, those aurora photos! Visiting from the Crazy Little Lovebirds linkup.
Maria October 3, 2025 at 10:38
oh my goodness! WOW! your photos are stunning and the lights are so incredible! When i was living on Prince Edward Island We saw the lights there too. Now I can only see stars because we are closer to the city. Lovely and happy Friday. Have a wonderful October!
Natasha Mairs - Serenity You October 3, 2025 at 10:09
Finland sounds so lovely. I would love to see the Northern Lights one day. Your photos are amazing! #weekendcoffeeshare
Dixie October 3, 2025 at 08:42
Wonderful photos. What an amazing trip!
Always a joy to see photos of the northern lights
and the north in particular.
A big thank you for sharing, Soma.
Kim Carberry October 3, 2025 at 07:24
Oh wow! What a fantastic trip apart from the missing suitcase. How cool to stumble across the street fair! Beautiful photos, especially of the Northern Lights!!
Christine October 3, 2025 at 06:02
Thanks for sharing this wonderful trip complete with aurora viewing, so magical,
Heidrun October 3, 2025 at 05:05
Always a pleasure… I enjoyed reading very much.
Thank you for sharing.
Greetings by Heidrun
Erika N October 3, 2025 at 05:05
I am loving this post Soma. I am hoping next year to travel to Norway, Sweden and FInland. I’ve been to Sweden years ago, but neither of the other 2 countries, and seeing I have a grandfather that came from Finland I’m really interested in going there. It looks beautiful, and I hope you don’t mind if I bookmark this post so when I start some travel planning I can look back on it. It looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing. hugs-Erika ps- I hope you have more to share with us too!
Lisa notes October 3, 2025 at 04:27
Beautiful photos! You inspire me to think about visiting Finland myself. My husband and I also love to travel, but we haven’t ventured much outside the United States yet. I’d like to correct that!
Gillena Cox. October 3, 2025 at 03:45
How wonderful, glad you had a nice time.
Luv the photos of The Lights
Thanks for linkingbto AFFF
much♡love
Debra She Wbo Seeks October 2, 2025 at 14:00
What a wonderful trip! Your photos of Finland and the northern lights are outstanding!
Thistles and Kiwis October 2, 2025 at 13:55
I love Finland – such a beautiful country.
joanne October 2, 2025 at 09:55
That sounds like quite a wonderful adventure filled trip! I love your Aurora photos; I’ve always wanted to see them… but even those rare times when they are visible here I tend to be sleeping and end up missing them. I bet the photos just don’t do it justice.
Karen October 2, 2025 at 09:38
I have never been to any of these – so pretty and the being able to see the Northern Lights is such fun. such wonderful photos – glad you suitcase finally caught up to you!!
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal October 2, 2025 at 04:40
I have never been interested in Finland (mainly because I assumed it was one of the Scandinavian countries – which have never interested me in the least – but it is not, yay!) but now that I have seen your photos I want to go! It looks like my kind of place, and being near the Arctic circle would be such a thrill. I love your photos, they are very inviting.
Cat October 2, 2025 at 00:25
Such beautiful photos! I always wanted to see an aurora, but never got the chance to, so I’m enjoying them vicariously through others. It must have been amazing!