I was up at 07:30 and the air in the room was cold even with the heater going. I found last night a draft coming through one of the large window frames, don’t need cool air conditioning here. With the wind chill factor the temperature was – 46 C. Penny awoke at 09:30 complaining of a cold nose, got her a cup of tea in bed and she was happy. Made our way to breakfast and there was no food laid out as it has been. We were given a breakfast menu and waited 20 minutes before any one served us and there was 5 staff and 3 couples eating. Again they can’t bring both mains out like last night, Penny had 2 courses on the table and I had to wait nearly 10 minutes for my 2.
Got all dressed up which is quite an ordeal and ventured outside bloody freezing. I needed to put my balaclava on and I took off my gloves, I will learn, got it on and hood up and gloves back on my fingers were freezing big time, cursed myself should have done it in the hotel before we left. Showed Penny the out door market they were setting up their wares for the day. One of the ladies recognised me as I bought Penny a few gifts from there, you from NZ. She spoke a little English, I asked her what she thought of Trump as I did a couple of days ago, “don’t like he is a wanker” and she did not talk highly of Vladimir P.
We then walked 3 miles to the outdoor center to go husky sledding. Got in the reception area and warmed up and had to wait 40 minutes and I was the first one to go riding. Got told sit, put feet here and hang on and off we went. Did not have time to get my camera out as I was wearing my gloves with the inners. Managed to get my camera out and shot wildly when I did not need to hands to hang on. It was not a smooth ride at all with numerous rides around this 15-20 minute course it was bumpy reminding me driving on Olkhon Island and there was no back support cushion. Was glad when it was over, it was okay can now say I have been on a husky sled, but for £40 for that duration, no. Penny went and had her ride whilst I warmed up by the stove and let my camera warm up in the room. Penny came back safe and well and said it was okay as she had done it previously in Lapland and it was for a couple of hours and she followed a guide with her team of dogs.
Went them walked back to the hotel all covered up icicles in my beard and coming from my nostrils and Penny had frozen eye lashes. Penny had found these crampons which fit over our boots online back in the UK did not cost much but a must to wear on icy roads, thanks Penny. Bought some snickers bars from the shop I bought the vodka from a few days ago. The guy was really nice spoke English and he tried to sell us tea coffee water, sorry we have all of that. Back in the hotel get most of our clothes off hang it where possible and let it dry out. Time for a siesta we need it.
Maurice's Travel 