Hej hej allihopa, so I'm back once again and ready to tell you about my trip to the Arctic Circle.

On Monday the 31st March I flew from Stockholm to Kiruna and stayed for 4 days. On the first day we visited the Ice Hotel. Each year the hotel is rebuilt from ice and water taken from the Torne River with various artists coming from around the world to create works of Art made from the snow and ice. 

The next day we returned to the ice hotel and went out on snowmobiles across the frozen lake to another area where we played snow games (most with beer goggles on) and went ice fishing. We also took the snowmobiles out on a slalom course. That afternoon we visited the local Iron Ore mine, LKAB, where we drove in a bus down a 10° slope for 15 minutes down into the mine. At 500m underground we reached the visitors centre and toured around a museum beside the mine, however as the mine expands and reaches under the town there is increased risk to the safety of the town and those in it. Due to this, the town is being moved to a new location out of the path of the mine.

During the week we also visited a ski resort an hour and a half away from Kiruna for a snow-shoe tour down to the lake and to "pulka" or toboggan down some of the slopes. We also played a variant of rugby in the snow. On the way home we visited Abisko National Park and learnt about conservational efforts in Sweden. On the last night we were there we were treated to a fancy dinner made by students at the Gymnasium (The equivalent of Senior Year) with live music also played by students of the school. After dinner the exchange students were grouped by their countries and each sang their national anthem. It was a great night and I had so much fun both singing and listening to the anthems. After the dinner we went home and organised a group to go Northern Light hunting. Unfortunately our venture was unsuccessful and we went home tired and cold.

I'd like to thank Rotary, the Students of Lundbohmsskolan for their organisation of the trip and all the exchange students for such an incredible 3 and a half days.

The outside of the Ice Hotel

Looking towards the Ice Church

IT WAS SUNNY!

Inside the Ice Church

There were so many statues throughout the whole Hotel

Even the signs were made of ice and snow

I took my fair share of selfies through the ice pillars

The seat in the Ice Bar

The Ice Bar

Chilling out

Spin the bottle table

The Ice Bar specialises in square glasses made of ice to hold the drinks

The snow statue in the main hall

Each room was a work of art, here is one of my favourites

This was the most impressive room

The view across the Torne River

Reindeer!

More selfies, got my mate in the background, he wasn't paying attention

The sunset

Toasty warm selfies

Ice formations down by the lake at the Ski Resort

Just to try and show you the sheer size of the lake. 

 I had an amazing time in Kiruna and I can't wait to see all these amazing people again in June for our rocking bus trip around Europe.

Next on my list is my trip to Southern Sweden for Easter to meet my extended host family.

Until then, here's me signing out once again,

The Swedish Adventurer