We were advised to go to the Polar bear enclosures as feeding time was 12.30 p.m. but it was right at the far end of the zoo. Huffing and puffing, we got there well in time and it was well worth it. Apparently the food both for polar bears and bears are frozen to make it appear as natural as possible. It was an experience not only for Adrian but for us as we never had the opportunity to witness bears feeding.

Of course Adrian wanted frozen food too! There were other species not normally seen in zoos elsewhere and one would never guess what this is (no prizes for the right guess). The zoo is interestingly designed with raised platforms all the way for visitors. There are areas for kids to test their jumping, climbing and balancing skills along the way. Various minerals in their rock form are also on display in the open which is educational.

Our next stop would be Rovaniemi. As it is only 80 kms we took a slow drive knowing that there would be reindeers crossing the roads. Not far out of Ranua, one was spotted and I stopped to capture Tuah with it in the background. While I was fiddling around with the camera, it came on to the road towards me and I made a run for it back in Tuah. I could visualize the local headlines reading “Malaysian Gored While Taking Photos of Santa’s Reindeer”. I did manage to snap a photo though.

We went to Santa’s Park in Rovaniemi and were puzzled not to see the Artic Circle which was supposed to run through it. We met someone who turned out to be Kimmo, and he confirmed that the sign we saw was correct and Santa’s Village was up the road. It was fascinating to get to meet Santa and he spoke Bahasa Malaysia too.

While Alison went to the post office I was stopped by a local businessman, Tommi who enquired about our journey. He has friends who had been to KL and he missed out on a trip there himself. Tommi suggested he took some pictures and see if he could get our story in the local media on Monday. Alison was puzzled to find Tuah missing but wasn’t too worried that I had run off and abandoned her and Adrian.

When we were ready to leave there was a note on Tuah and it was from Kimmo telling us that Santa’s Park is worth going to. We drove towards it, me forgetting that I had placed my camera on the Tuah’s bonnet. It fell off and someone caught up with us at Santa’s Park having picked it up to return it to us. The camera fortunately is still working although I’ll need to get a new uv filter for it. We shall always cherish the kindness and honesty of the Finns.