Kilpisjärvi
Kilpisjärvi
Cross point of the three borders
Cross point of the three borders
Mosquitoes are everywhere
Cross point of the three borders
Kilpisjärvi
Kilpisjärvi
Kilpisjärvi
Kilpisjärvi
From Järämä we continued to Kilpisjärvi. It is some 150km away from our cotttage. Scenery was absolutely magnificent. Green grass, clearest blue lakes, snowy mountain peaks, bright sun that doesn't go down - all these in one place and in one time.
In Kilpisjärvi retkeilykeskus we had a small lunch with Lapin Kulta from the tap. I should say that somehow Lapin Kulta in Kilpisjärvi tastes much better than in Tampere or Helsinki. Don't know if it has something to do with logistics or with the air (by the way, Enontekiö has Europe's cleanest air).
We waited in the sun for 18:00 boat that took us across Kilpisjärvi lake. Then we had to walk for three kilometers to reach the crossing point of three borders - Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish. Borders itself are marked with a fence, so it was almost like a real border, but Norwegian one was cut open in one place, so we could reach the sign that marks the very place where borders converge.
This sign (carin) was first constructed in 1897 by Norwegians and Russians (todays Finland). Because of a disagreement between Swedes and Norwegians, Sweden was not participating. When in 1901 they finally reached agreement, carin was bejeweled with countries emblemes.
I'm not sure if it was really worth it - to pay 16€ for the boat and walk 6 kilometers to just see a concrete block painted in yellow with Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian emblemes. But it was quite unique experience to visit 3 countries in less than a minute, wet our feet in Sweden (the sign is in the water, and some paths to it are under water) and safely return to Finland.
We also learned that day where name Enontekiö comes from. It comes from "enontekiäinen" - "one that gives birth to big rivers". .
We've met quite a few reindeers on the road - some of them were on the road, some were just running in the fields.
Overall, it was an excellent day.
Hello there our Dear rebjata! It`s very interesting to read your w-sites. Have a lovely time! With love Masha & Alex
Posted by: maria | July 01, 2005 at 22:23