MAY 5 - Take off out of town in our rented hybrid Toyota Yaris. Unlike the Fiat 500 we had in the UK, this car actually has some trunk space.
Gone is the mix of forest with plowed fields and intermittent towns that have typified the route thus far. Now it is an expanse of sub-alpine forest and bogs, with occasional frozen lake. Somewhere north of the turnoff at Pudasjärvi we officially enter Lapland.
We chose this route as it passes by the Ranua Wildlife Park, the second-most northern zoo in the world. As one would expect, it contains only animals either from the arctic, or from mountainous areas further south in Asia. At this time of year, not being either the winter skiing/northern lights season, or the mega-popular summer season, the place was almost empty. This had the desired affect of seeing many animals without the distraction of people trying to get their attention.
Northward to Rovaniemi, on the impressive Kemijoki River (the longest in the country). This city is larger than I expected, with multistory buildings under construction all over the place.
See, and hear, at least six military jets over the city this afternoon. Most of them look like F-18C Hornets. It reminded me to check in on what Russia is up to.
From today’s edition (May 5, 2022) of the Daily Finland:
A Russian state aircraft is suspected of violating Finnish airspace on the eastern border near Kesälahti and Parikkala on Wednesday morning, said the Ministry of Defence in a press release.
According to the ministry, the suspected violation occurred by an Mi-17 helicopter at about 10:40 a.m. and the aircraft flew about 4.5 kilometers into Finnish territory.
The Border Guard has started a preliminary investigation into the suspected violation.
And meanwhile, from the Moscow Times on May 4:
A large majority of Finnish MPs and the public are in favor of joining the Atlantic Alliance, and Finnish President Sauli Niinsto is to announce his personal stance on the issue on May 12.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Wednesday her government's decision would be made "quite soon," and could come within days according to Finnish media.
End the day in the Angry Birds Activity Park, which is just a themed playground.
