Northern Europe

Reply to Northern Europe on Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:52:30 GMT

jacsplace — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:52:30 GMT

Thanks Lostsoul9. Will look into that or just change euros to dkk when we arrive in copenhagen.

Reply to Northern Europe on Wed, 16 Oct 2019 01:46:36 GMT

Lostsoul9 — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 01:46:36 GMT

jacsplace\" post_id=\"1941327\" time=\"1571127862\" user_id=\"7071:

Can anyone advise where to change Danish kroner in Singapore? thanks!

I believe some money changers in raffles place (arcade) do carry kroner. I changed mine there previously.

Reply to Northern Europe on Tue, 15 Oct 2019 08:24:22 GMT

jacsplace — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 08:24:22 GMT

Can anyone advise where to change Danish kroner in Singapore? thanks!

Reply to Northern Europe on Mon, 20 Nov 2017 03:04:42 GMT

happymom_aa — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 03:04:42 GMT

Hi,

Please share which service provider to go in Finland if to buy those unlimited data plan or is it better to sign up for Singtel or those wifi router rental thing in Singapore before departure.

Thanks.

Reply to Northern Europe on Wed, 28 Jun 2017 01:51:20 GMT

elenang — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 01:51:20 GMT

In fact, I didnt feel as cold as in Iceland or Canada. I think the sauna culture helps to keep people warm. I stayed in the glass igloo where there was no shower just a toilet. For our shower, we had to walk 10 min in the snow to the public sauna and after our hot shower and sauna, walking back felt nice and comfy…

Reply to Northern Europe on Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:14:45 GMT

Generous — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:14:45 GMT

Was in Sweden, Gothenburg and Varberg for about 2 weeks in Jan 2017. Nice and cold. And there were days when it got really cold, minus 19 degrees. One of my friends flew up north to Abisko to see the Northern lights, it was minus 26 there. Need good warm shoes to keep your feet warm, and of course, nice thick coats too.

Something unique - my Swedish friends booked an outdoor bath for us. This facility belongs to a hotel, but it is open to public as well. We were led to a wooden ‘hut’ with low ceiling. In the middle of this hut is a bbq pit. The staff had started the fire for us, which kept the hut nice & warm. We put our bags ther and went over to the changing room next to the hut, changed into our bathing suits and got into a hot tub that could seat 8 people. Was really nice experience, our bodies were warm in the hot tub but the snow flakes were falling down on our hair and faces. After 10 min, my Swedish friends were getting out of the hot tub and plunging into the icy cold (filled with ice cubes) tub nearby. They were yelling as they plunged in, haha, and just for 2 min they got out and came back in the hot tub. And again they yelled, they told me it was due to the sharp difference in temperature, they felt needles and pins on their skin. For me and my daughters, we chose to stay in the hot tub…
I love Scandinavia. Norway, Sweden and Denmark I have been, yet to visit Finland and Iceland - in my bucket list, haha.
I have flown on Qatar to Copenhagen, and on Turkish and Finnair to Gothenburg couple of times. SQ flies direct to Stockholm, fyi.

Reply to Northern Europe on Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:22:34 GMT

lexis — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:22:34 GMT

Thanks for sharing, elenang! did you find it very cold in Finland?

the thought of staying in a cabin in the woods, and sitting by the fireplace with a home cooked dinner, sounds great!

Reply to Northern Europe on Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:53:21 GMT

elenang — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:53:21 GMT

I have only been in Norway Fjords in June. In winter, we did before Helsinki and Stockholm for 1 day each and spent 5 days up northern Finland - staying in glass igloo and cabins. Personally for me, chasing the lights is part of the adventure. Otherwise, there is always dogsledding and other winter activities. I loved the Finland holiday as we stayed in our own wooden cabin which was actually quite fun. Almost all these cabins have saunas and we chopped firewood and sat by our own fireplace enjoying our own home cooked dinner. At night, there was complete darkness but we heard heavy breathing presumably by reindeers which was unseen by us. The night sky was also amazing!

Reply to Northern Europe on Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:12:32 GMT

lexis — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:12:32 GMT

Sweden, Norway or Helsinki? Which is the most interesting for tourists in november/December? Travelling with 2 teens, looking for scenery, museums, snow, some adventure.

Don’t intend to chase the Northern lights. Any sharing of experience on airlines flying there would be great too! Thanks!

Reply to Northern Europe on Thu, 15 Jun 2017 17:25:36 GMT

FishFingers — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 17:25:36 GMT

Go Iceland to see the Northern Lights?

Reply to Northern Europe on Tue, 09 May 2017 02:11:49 GMT

elenang — Tue, 09 May 2017 02:11:49 GMT

I bought the boots when I was overseas in one of those outlet stores. For me, heattech is comfortable and I threw all the wool ones I had previously after I discovered heattech! haha

Reply to Northern Europe on Mon, 08 May 2017 09:22:58 GMT

happymom_aa — Mon, 08 May 2017 09:22:58 GMT

Thanks elenang.

May I know whether did you buy your boots online?
If yes, can share which web site to go for such boots?
Thanks.

Uniqlo heattech is enough? Will go take a look.
I’ve not use them before but thinking to get them as spares since don’t think I can wash and dry when I’m there.

Reply to Northern Europe on Mon, 08 May 2017 02:29:55 GMT

elenang — Mon, 08 May 2017 02:29:55 GMT

For me most important is the inner thermal and the outer windproof/resistant jacket. I wear the extra heattech type thermal from (Uniqlo) then normal fleece or longsleeve then the outer jacket. Mine is North Face. If still cold, then wear 2x extra heattech thermal inside. My boots i got from overseas cheap and good no brand la but waterproof is important cos when you walk in the snow the last thing u wan is the snow melt and seep inside your socks!!! I kenna before wearing those furry boots.

Oh and for such cold temp, u would definitely need to cover your neck/ears and face. (woollen scarf or ski mask type). I always use those rabbit furry earmuffs over my woollen hat then i have scarf to wrap around neck or face if need to.

Reply to Northern Europe on Mon, 08 May 2017 02:11:17 GMT

happymom_aa — Mon, 08 May 2017 02:11:17 GMT

Hi all,

Just book my Finland trip for December 2017, understand that it will be very cold, may I know what brand of winter jacket and boots is more suitable for the weather there?

Thanks.

Reply to Northern Europe on Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:21:54 GMT

Dnls_mum — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:21:54 GMT

Day 5

We moved along the South Coast. Visited some lmpressive expanse of lava fields. But highlight of the day was our ice Caves tour. We went to 3 ice caves. Crystal cave which is a blue one, Diamond cave with beautiful icicles and Black cave.

https://s22.postimg.org/o80pmuhnl/IMG_6615.jpg\">

Another dramatic site here is the Glacier Lagoon. Warming climate causes ice blocks to break off from the glacier and is washed into and out of a Lagoon daily. The view changes everyday depending on nature. We visited that evening and the next morning and the landscape was vastly different. The evening soft light gives a mysterious look to the place. Stunning!

https://s18.postimg.org/moldk47dl/IMG_6643.jpg\">

In the same area is also a crystal beach. Lots of ice blocks and bits are washed up to shore and gives the black lava sand beach a crystal look. Stunning!

To be continued...

Reply to Northern Europe on Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:09:42 GMT

Dnls_mum — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:09:42 GMT

Sorry, has been busy. Here's Day 4:

Saw 2 waterfalls today, first stop Faxi Falls and last stop Gullfoss, with Gullfoss being the more well known as it is one of the must see along the Golden Route. I like Faxi falls as it is less crowded. It is somewhat like Gullfoss but is a one step Waterfall unlike Gullfoss which is an impressive 2 step Waterfall. Gullfoss is very crowded.

https://s22.postimg.org/stvwm7qlt/IMG_6353.jpg\">

In between, we visited Strokkur, a geyser. It sprouts very 10 mins and can go as high as 30m. Strokkur is also one of the 3 most sees along the Golden Route.

We also went on a jeep tour of Langjokull Glacier before taking a snowmobile ride. Our guide had arranged a fun private jeep tour for us on a \"mini\" monster truck!

https://s28.postimg.org/4wk2v4rgt/IMG_6602.jpg\">

That night we had another night of Northern lights. I had shared the photo in earlier posts. It was dancing lights, fast and constant movement!

To be continued.....

Reply to Northern Europe on Sun, 19 Mar 2017 12:42:21 GMT

Dnls_mum — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 12:42:21 GMT

Day 3 - West Iceland and Pingvellir

Will share a few photos of the highlights of the day. Started the day with a visit to Sugandisey. From the top of the hill where the lighthouse is, we got a good view of the harbour and coast. Then we went to Deildartunguhver which is the highest flow hotspring in Europe. The water here is up to 100degrees. The smoke coming out of the ground were impressive!

Next was to visit 2 waterfalls which are within a 5 min walk of each other, Hiraunfossar and Barnafossar. Hiraunfossar is a waterfall that glows out from lave tubes, yes, no feeding surface river. A very unusual Waterfall.

https://s8.postimg.org/r4bvrw9qd/IMG_6621.jpg\">

Barnafossar is a fast flowing Waterfall named after 2 kids that drowned there...yup...not a nice feeling there.

Then we headed for lunch. After lunch we the main place to visit is Pingvellir, a Unesco World Heritage Site for is historical significance as the site of the first parliament in 930AD. The park also lies in a Rift Valley created by movement of the North American and Eurasia tectonic plates.

https://s4.postimg.org/m3szwngh9/IMG_6622.jpg\">

That night we stayed at Vatnsholt which is a renovated old farm house in the middle of nowhere, well, almost. We had in a cute little cabin. There were 3 of those.

https://s8.postimg.org/s7c5o4zqt/IMG_6623.jpg\">

It was a very cold night and I huddled in bed and refused to go out. DH went out to check for NL. He had no luck and went to bed at 12. We were told the next morning that it came out at 12.30!

To be continued.....

Reply to Northern Europe on Sat, 18 Mar 2017 09:18:19 GMT

Dnls_mum — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 09:18:19 GMT

Day 2: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Our actual road trip starts today. We set off after breakfast and first stop was a cute little church built in 1800s in Bord A Myrum.

https://s15.postimg.org/iihmcr16j/IMG_6604.jpg\">

Then we headed west to Gerouburg to see its Basalt columns. It was impressive and had a vast lava field now covered in thick snow in front of it.

After that was lunch at a cafe before we headed off to Ytri-Tunga Beach. This beach is famed for seals but it was not the right season when we were there and the seals were out at sea.

Then our guide brought us to Armarstapi where we walked along the coast to see the beautiful coast lines with steep cliffs and magnificent lava formation. You can also get a fantastic view of Kirkjufell, the famous mountain on Snaefellsnes Peninsula fm here.

https://s11.postimg.org/d40zhtqcj/IMG_6607.jpg\">

After this, it was time for our scheduled lava cave tour at Vatnehellir. We were provided helmets and flashlights. You need to be able to climb down 2-3 floors in a spiral staircase and walk uneven ground to do this. Temperature inside the cave is a constant 1degree. It was interesting.

https://s16.postimg.org/49j6dpvcl/IMG_6606.jpg\">

After the tour we visited the black lava pearl beach at Djupalonsandur before heading to Kirkjufellfoss. It was s slippery climb up to see Kirkjufellfoss which is a group of 3 volcanoes next to Kirkjufell or Church Mountain. Our guide provided us with crampons for our shoes.

The climb had to be slow and careful even with our crampons. But the effort was worth it. We were greeted by this:

https://s30.postimg.org/63pz7we7l/IMG_6603.jpg\">

After this, we headed to our hotel. Rested for a while and we went for dinner at a pretty restaurant near a lake. After dinner, we went hunting for Northern lights. I have posted the photo in the earlier posts on this thread.

It was a long and tiring day but oh so worth it!

To be continued....

Reply to Northern Europe on Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:48:28 GMT

Dnls_mum — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:48:28 GMT

buds:
Dnls_mum:
Scaredymum

Sort out some photos of our Iceland trip so I'll start posting them here on day by day basis.

Day 1:
We took the Finnair fight leaving Singapore at midnight on 28 Feb. arrived Helsinki at 6am in the morning. Check out, kept our backs with luggage storage and took a finnair bus to town. Explore rock church's and Sibelius monument before getting back to the airport for our 2.20 fight to Reykjavik. Iceland is 2 hours behind Finland. It was a 3+ hr flight. We arrive Reykjavik around 4pm. Met upon arrival by our guide. He drove us around the city to give us an overview before we got to our hotel.

Left our bags and walked to the bay. Went by Hofoi House, the famous house where Reagan and Gorbatsjov met and effectively ended the Cold War.
https://s2.postimg.org/n50qznlh5/IMG_6659.jpg\">

Checked out the Solfar Sculpture.
https://s14.postimg.org/5nwxe4tz5/IMG_6661.jpg\">

Then headed for dinner at the main shopping streets. After dinner, headed back to rest after the long day.
To be continued....

Gorgeous pictures. :love:
What time was it, when these pictures were taken?

Thanks! It was in the evening at 7plus.

Reply to Northern Europe on Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:39:24 GMT

Dnls_mum — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:39:24 GMT

ammonite:
Yes keep posting! Do your photos first, add your DH's later. Can you also add info on the temperature and your footwear for this trip? Thank you!!

Our shoes from Merrill:

https://s23.postimg.org/9cpx9t9ez/IMG_6899.png\">

Temperature was about -4 to 2 degrees on most days except one day which went down to -7. But if felt colder because it was very windy. Especially on our last day in Reykjavik. Wind speed was 10km per sec. If I don't stand properly , I feel that I was being swayed by the wind even though we were in the city. I'm sure the open country side will be worse.

Reply to Northern Europe on Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:36:02 GMT

buds — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:36:02 GMT

Dnls_mum:
Scaredymum

Sort out some photos of our Iceland trip so I'll start posting them here on day by day basis.

Day 1:
We took the Finnair fight leaving Singapore at midnight on 28 Feb. arrived Helsinki at 6am in the morning. Check out, kept our backs with luggage storage and took a finnair bus to town. Explore rock church's and Sibelius monument before getting back to the airport for our 2.20 fight to Reykjavik. Iceland is 2 hours behind Finland. It was a 3+ hr flight. We arrive Reykjavik around 4pm. Met upon arrival by our guide. He drove us around the city to give us an overview before we got to our hotel.

Left our bags and walked to the bay. Went by Hofoi House, the famous house where Reagan and Gorbatsjov met and effectively ended the Cold War.
https://s2.postimg.org/n50qznlh5/IMG_6659.jpg\">

Checked out the Solfar Sculpture.
https://s14.postimg.org/5nwxe4tz5/IMG_6661.jpg\">

Then headed for dinner at the main shopping streets. After dinner, headed back to rest after the long day.
To be continued....

Gorgeous pictures. :love:
What time was it, when these pictures were taken?

Reply to Northern Europe on Sat, 18 Mar 2017 04:18:17 GMT

ammonite — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 04:18:17 GMT

Yes keep posting! Do your photos first, add your DH’s later. Can you also add info on the temperature and your footwear for this trip? Thank you!!

Reply to Northern Europe on Sat, 18 Mar 2017 03:57:57 GMT

jetsetter — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 03:57:57 GMT

Dnls_mum:
Scaredymum

Sort out some photos of our Iceland trip so I'll start posting them here on day by day basis.

Day 1:
We took the Finnair fight leaving Singapore at midnight on 28 Feb. arrived Helsinki at 6am in the morning. Check out, kept our backs with luggage storage and took a finnair bus to town. Explore rock church's and Sibelius monument before getting back to the airport for our 2.20 fight to Reykjavik. Iceland is 2 hours behind Finland. It was a 3+ hr flight. We arrive Reykjavik around 4pm. Met upon arrival by our guide. He drove us around the city to give us an overview before we got to our hotel.

Left our bags and walked to the bay. Went by Hofoi House, the famous house where Reagan and Gorbatsjov met and effectively ended the Cold War.
https://s2.postimg.org/n50qznlh5/IMG_6659.jpg\">

Checked out the Solfar Sculpture.
https://s14.postimg.org/5nwxe4tz5/IMG_6661.jpg\">

Then headed for dinner at the main shopping streets. After dinner, headed back to rest after the long day.
To be continued....

:love: :love:

Keep posting! Nice