Sunday 14th December 2025

Alta

Despite the post midnight bedtime the mix of body clock and wind howling on the hotel window had us awake at 600.

When checking emails we got the terrible news about the Bondi incident- it seems that we have finally lost that ‘ it’s safe in Australia’ reputation. 

Tried not to let it play too much on our mind but a bit hard when there are other Aussies here with us wanting to discuss. It was quite chilling on the same day in Berlin 5 were arrested for plotting to ram a car into a Xmas Market in downtown Berlin where we are headed. Makes you really want to live life to the fullest when but for the grace  of God  you could be an innocent victim.

Weather is pretty miserable with snow, strong winds and minus temperatures. 

Nonetheless after breakfast, with no activities planned, we walked down towards the modern new Northern Ligjts themed Cathedral. Then it was over to a supermarket before heading to a plaza park. Several little little kids were enjoying the slippery dip and ice skating rink, despite the snow and wind, giggling and getting about with little ruddy cheeks.. One little fellow and I had a fun game in the snow which lifted the spirits a bit. 

Interesting recreation equipment – a fully fledged fire pit, with chopped wood was in the park.

Narrowly missed an impromptu snowballfight  when a couple of crows dislodged packed snow off a hotel roof which bounced at my feet.

The wind was simply howling and we headed back to the hotel,with faces stinging from the snow flurries, to get prepared for our visit to the Alaskan Husky ranch to meet the dogs and enjoy a sleigh ride.

It was time to upgrade to the new ski jacket for the prolonged outing in -16.

When we got on the bus the driver advised the two roads we travelled yesterday were closed today – seems with weather up here it’s all in the timing.

We ended up at the ranch -Tradti Trinl- with its 70 Alaskan Huskies. Unlike the Siberian version they are not pure bred and that’s deliberate as they are less prone to injury and illness.

The howls of excitement were more from the dogs than the tourists when they saw us arrive.

We delayed their enjoyment slightly by having lunch and listening to a very informative briefing from the owner who is an accomplished dog sled racer. Her husband is a renowned chef and their daughter shares the dog sled passion with her Mum.

They both competed in and won the Finnmark long distance races ranging from 600 to 1200 kilometres.

Their greatest achievement was competing in an finishing the famous Alaskan sled race over 1600 called the Idaron. The daughter Hanna Lyrek is starting to prepare for next years event training her 16 dogs for the assignment.

Next it was off to the dog yard where the noise was deafening and the desire to be patted undeniable.Despite being a ragtag looking group they surely knew how to run. 

We were loaded into two people sleds and taken on a 30 minute ride with us fortunate enough to have Hannah as our driver. She was remarkably informative about the ins and outs of the Idaron and incredibly humble.

Our ride and patting session over it was back to hotel for a quick break then some shopping and search for a dinner spot. It turned out to be an American pizza place where half a pizza and a couple of beers filled our tummy and plucked $80 from the cash card.

No respite in the weather as we trudged back h the snow to pack up for an early departure to Trimso – weather permitting.