tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18433509966984926592024-03-18T14:29:06.464-07:00Skiing the Planet"Mongolia is kind of close, right?" Story about an attempt to ski everywhere in the world where there's snow. And in some places where there isn't. On and off-piste skiing on all continents, skiing into craters of live volcanoes, caving, climbing, photography, and travel.jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.comBlogger1171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-48474005753709971292024-03-18T14:13:00.000-07:002024-03-18T14:28:35.617-07:00Brisbane area caves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstPw6rFrq8e4uaO_eyaUtBslTMyO38eH3sXErl9slYKi17v4oirW5f-CuW3p_46gxekHrF3uBeAXgGfhEj277Guq9MiaFGUB0JYU4gfSW_cxgQ98YxkQXtpusfiHwgMf0Yi7dCrY-9wOjkGHGWN7feyx73ecW01z3hCsp6JyGJrAF0p_xtYKDriN3g3Ao/s1796/blog1240_map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="1796" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstPw6rFrq8e4uaO_eyaUtBslTMyO38eH3sXErl9slYKi17v4oirW5f-CuW3p_46gxekHrF3uBeAXgGfhEj277Guq9MiaFGUB0JYU4gfSW_cxgQ98YxkQXtpusfiHwgMf0Yi7dCrY-9wOjkGHGWN7feyx73ecW01z3hCsp6JyGJrAF0p_xtYKDriN3g3Ao/w640-h536/blog1240_map.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><p>I'm visiting Brisbane this week for work. Before returning, I have a weekend to look around. Surely there are caves? I have been to Australia before, for <a href=" https://planetskier.blogspot.fi/2013/10/kangaroo-run.html" target="_blank">skiing</a> and climbing... but not visited any caves. And I'm desperate for "collecting" another country that I've caved in :-)</p><p>Unfortunately, there isn't so much near Brisbane. The best caves are 20+ hour drives away. Actually, only 11 hours, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney there are for instance the <a href="https://www.jenolancaves.org.au" target="_blank">Jenolan Caves</a>. But that's still a two-day drive in practice. And I'm already flying enough and not have enough time to spend a day in the airline system to fly from one place to another. </p><p>What I'd *really* like to go to though is the <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/undara-volcanic/about" target="_blank">Undara Lava Tubes</a>. Been missing visits to lava tubes, albeit been in them in <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-lava-tunnel.html" target="_blank">Iceland</a>... Undara seems like a wonderful place to explore! However, 20+ hours driving.</p><p>But what's there around? My best bet seems to be the <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-etna-caves" target="_blank">Mount Etna National Caves Park</a> and the <a href="https://capricorncaves.com.au" target="_blank">Capricorn Caves</a>, 7.5 hours driving north of Brisbane. Maybe still doable?</p><p>Below you will find my Google Maps list of caves that I've found within the 10 hour or so driving range from Brisbane. Some a bit further.</p><p>The link to the Google Maps list is here: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/13yKzDm19BvH14cg8">https://maps.app.goo.gl/13yKzDm19BvH14cg8</a>. I have also listed the places below:</p><ul><li>Baiame Cave (NSW)</li><li>Bat Cave Gully (NSW)</li><li>Bloodwood Cave</li><li>Burgress Beach (NSW)</li><li>Bushranger’s Cave</li><li>Camooweal Caves (northwestern QLD)</li><li>Capricorn caves</li><li>Cathedral Cave</li><li>Cave Creek</li><li>Cave Gully (NSW)</li><li>Cave Point (NSW)</li><li>Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park (northern QLD)</li><li>Dayman's Cave</li><li>Euglah Cave</li><li>Graig hole caves</li><li>Hook Island</li><li>Jenolan Caves (NSW)</li><li>Lava cave (NSW)</li><li>Mount Etna Caves National Park</li><li>Mount Beerburrum Bat Caves</li><li>Mt Gravatt Caves</li><li>Natural Bridge</li><li>Newbys Creek walk and caves (NSW)</li><li>Paradise Caves</li><li>Red Hands Cave (NSW)</li><li>Salt Caves (NSW)</li><li>Sandstone Caves walking track (NSW)</li><li>Thunderbolt Cave (NSW)</li><li>Undara Lava Tubes (northern QLD)</li><li>Yessabah Caves</li></ul><p>Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko, map picture is a snapshot from Google Maps. All rights reserved. </p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-3418250421794365622024-02-24T07:25:00.000-08:002024-02-25T08:51:21.070-08:00Mavrovo skiing: North Macedonia<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVWLDpQcmstCitKVGwPTLMPDF5CYrD44izbVDHSLfF_6LWWaj930nWZgMPHIMPNLbSXi0TsBDnGVlIeJRyNkNliHft1g6aGAtkQRjsHI3006iPRwMcruZc-ot05699oORk9vc7tBNhXm2DVrGjLkb0cCUaC4tPayRJRwk1_4reQAiBdg4cJrS6uRz0gkj/s4032/blog1219_resortsign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVWLDpQcmstCitKVGwPTLMPDF5CYrD44izbVDHSLfF_6LWWaj930nWZgMPHIMPNLbSXi0TsBDnGVlIeJRyNkNliHft1g6aGAtkQRjsHI3006iPRwMcruZc-ot05699oORk9vc7tBNhXm2DVrGjLkb0cCUaC4tPayRJRwk1_4reQAiBdg4cJrS6uRz0gkj/w640-h360/blog1219_resortsign.jpg" width="520" /></a></p><p>North Macedonia. I have to confess I did not much about it beforehand, almost anything. We had attempted to arrange a ski trip there once but did not find enough information or people to talk to. So let it be known to everyone: North Macedonia is a major ski destination, with massive mountains with well-organized large ski resorts and specialty services like cat skiing. Much recommended.</p><p>I was in there in early season, however. Late December. And there had been quite a bit of snow fall earlier, however followed by a warm spell. This wasn't good, and there was even a question if there was anything that would be open. I called contacts and attempted to find out if it would be ok to drive up to some of the hills (such as the perhaps most well known and large resort, <a href="https://skimacedonia.mk/ski-regions/popova-sapka/?lang=en" target="_blank">Popova Sapka</a>) and hike up, roads ok, or would anyone stop me? </p><p>It turned out it wouldn't be a problem to hike up. But it also turned out that Mavrovo, one of the other major resorts was actually open.</p><p>Good.</p><p>Except when I landed, my reservation at the car rental agency was nowhere to be found. Turns out that I had mistakenly gotten the reservation made for next month, not this one. And *all* the rental agencies were selling nothing, on the days between Xmas and New Years a lot of people were renting cars. Nothing. </p><p>Until Sixt and their skiing-friendly agent came to my rescue. They had one car, four-wheel drive SUV, and at a reasonable price. I was saved. Thank you!</p><p>The capitol, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skopje" target="_blank">Skopje</a> is already next to high mountains, the one right in the city limits <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodno" target="_blank">Vodno</a>, a 1066-meter peak. Very noticeable as I was driving through the city in the evening and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Cross" target="_blank">Millennium Cross</a>, a 66-meter lit cross shone from the top.</p><p>I drove an hour to reach my hotel in the valley under Popova Sapka. The valley hosts Tetovo, a large city. Not a great town, in the end, particularly because the air quality in the valley was terrible at a the time, though where I stayed at the "Vila Zana" was further away, south of Tetovo. Recommend staying in the mountains if you can. But this was a central-ish location for possible excursions to many different ski places in the country, booked before I knew what was open. But, as it turned out, Popova Sapka was not open, so when the morning came I headed towards Mavrovo.</p><p><a href="https://skimacedonia.mk/ski-regions/mavrovo/?lang=en" target="_blank">Mavrovo</a> ski area is, unsurprisingly, in the Mavrovo <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mavrovo_National_Park" target="_blank">National Park</a>, the largest one in North Macedonia. Mountains in the park reach the 2700 level, the highest being 2764 meter at the Korab peak. The ski area itself resides at the south end of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mavrovo_Lake" target="_blank">Mavrovo Lake</a>, an artificial lake create by a large dam, which also buried an old <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/01/sunken-church.html" target="_blank">church</a> under the water.</p><p>But back to skiing. The ski area map is here (from the resort <a href="https://resortmavrovo.com/en/node/53" target="_blank">website</a>). The base is at 1255 meters, and the top at 1878 meters. Nice 600+ meters of vertical then! The bottommost part of the slopes is basically mostly narrow valley runs, though the last part just before the lifts is a nice, steep run (slope #1 in the map). It happened to be totally iced over when I was there. It was difficult to ski, had to stay on the sides to find some grip. And I helped someone less experienced to get down... slowly, by side stepping.</p><p>But the main interesting skiing is at the top. The chair lift takes you from the base to the center station of the upper mountain, where there are restaurants and other services in a modern building. And then several slopes and other lifts around. Skiing down to the base is also interesting, because the best snow is on the steep mountain sides under the top slopes. For instance, under slope 9 the slopes 5, 6, and 7 are in a nice area, and so is everything under slope 9 even where there's no official slope. A bit further down it gets too forested to ski, but in the higher parts you can easily ski outside the official slopes. There's also a great large Mavrovo sign that you can hike few hundred meters to. Skiing from the sign towards slope 8 is also quite nice, with small trees.</p><p>At the time I was there, lifts C11 and C12 were the highest ones operating, and the area to the skier's left from slope 15 in this area was quite nice with fresh snow, steeps and flats and some trees.</p><p>Down at the base there is surprisingly small number of services. The cafeteria right next to the lift, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/fX59tZYdrV9qL4Z16" target="_blank">Campari</a>, is quite nice. But for a proper meal the restaurant at <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VWGtDSRaVhMPEND9" target="_blank">Hotel Bistro</a> is the way to go, was quite happy with this. It is not easy to find, though, have to find the steps behind the ticket office to climb up to it. Much recommended.</p><p>Lift tickets were about 1000 dinars, or about 20€. Very cheap, clearly. Not sure if I had a day ticket or a shorter one though, none of my days was full due to other program and travel. High-end accommodation can be found for 100€ or a bit more per night, unless you're looking for super luxury.</p><p>Video:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PI0khFno8H4?si=hdICcqyoRVHTX03y" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Photos skiing:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DhCwGG_ABxYDdDKhO52n2U0EnsDhk8fA-C18f1U7-oLQN8HL1S0KNzrPFyDM3qOIxzLR6EfciNq4R_LpfS1YasqpWbePQFgZ8Yyder6J3jVFlgUGA8NbO-BbwdkUbSMo7iiW6S8IbWBwKvovx7-GFQecSKG7qUSj9Jm0YDCTh3LJyw3oCvBS6vhVMwYx/s1280/blog1219_slopesmap.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DhCwGG_ABxYDdDKhO52n2U0EnsDhk8fA-C18f1U7-oLQN8HL1S0KNzrPFyDM3qOIxzLR6EfciNq4R_LpfS1YasqpWbePQFgZ8Yyder6J3jVFlgUGA8NbO-BbwdkUbSMo7iiW6S8IbWBwKvovx7-GFQecSKG7qUSj9Jm0YDCTh3LJyw3oCvBS6vhVMwYx/w458-h640/blog1219_slopesmap.jpg" width="458" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the way up:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5COs4A1ezbDbmsRgMOCK3UoMT5-1_3hmQFJ6gftp13Az-NxDKdbEMZZr9RJE5uR5C9IfWpHexJWbOLMJ8IHf7F2X8rF0y4kv816vlKx8OXgGQ2sANuOZ944CwjdPIAJiy3nqX8YBnOivDk_bLX4L3zv0tov7YKbKR3tW8T2q9cMCOQx2xdsOVmlgN7m2/s4032/blog1219_resortchair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5COs4A1ezbDbmsRgMOCK3UoMT5-1_3hmQFJ6gftp13Az-NxDKdbEMZZr9RJE5uR5C9IfWpHexJWbOLMJ8IHf7F2X8rF0y4kv816vlKx8OXgGQ2sANuOZ944CwjdPIAJiy3nqX8YBnOivDk_bLX4L3zv0tov7YKbKR3tW8T2q9cMCOQx2xdsOVmlgN7m2/w640-h480/blog1219_resortchair.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Author:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtd0PZOKMXq-Jq5arscZ2G0HvwwBtNyaWg_Cj-D6DhvhSAS4mvc8_6fA8A6HqCjxQUzny8AZUiIlrlePDwhkr8yfJs8JJEem-nPnC8tk2i8RcA8S5CePafUavTAAR8Z1Q6TVNQJeIWXRCGKilfxHTeeaOy_JOnMOV5sgxWXW1UerHrOf7z_AX9_su7RcT/s4032/blog1219_author.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtd0PZOKMXq-Jq5arscZ2G0HvwwBtNyaWg_Cj-D6DhvhSAS4mvc8_6fA8A6HqCjxQUzny8AZUiIlrlePDwhkr8yfJs8JJEem-nPnC8tk2i8RcA8S5CePafUavTAAR8Z1Q6TVNQJeIWXRCGKilfxHTeeaOy_JOnMOV5sgxWXW1UerHrOf7z_AX9_su7RcT/w640-h480/blog1219_author.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Base lift:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRH9hAtTDcVGiL-Wh1SNY7fNOEONPe82diEQNgrrS5OhVak6S4fR8ufrqQCVOwNQp5MhdZ9LAZ1tUDrf8VifFaJASvcarprc2J_DDdIruH9HU8xo_Yt8XS1i_MXXmEAQpGu4P46FgTZveOSCUgedCwU9qsZKh2QV1yqAHZ36qtDFUmV05Z3Ww5f4iRml8/s4032/blog1219_resortbase.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRH9hAtTDcVGiL-Wh1SNY7fNOEONPe82diEQNgrrS5OhVak6S4fR8ufrqQCVOwNQp5MhdZ9LAZ1tUDrf8VifFaJASvcarprc2J_DDdIruH9HU8xo_Yt8XS1i_MXXmEAQpGu4P46FgTZveOSCUgedCwU9qsZKh2QV1yqAHZ36qtDFUmV05Z3Ww5f4iRml8/w480-h640/blog1219_resortbase.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The easy slopes at the top:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8V4jNpZs5VgQBOpcBhSomcM-si2E86EwnjKucD1L-QpdbPSgf2-39T-n-e94-Y9NJPAgRnCDmd5VlhKkhmkjnIqvyk-FJQ5CHOtXBjSGTUX6-CJtA4j8zhlcE9-xQqyfZzCyoFuJ1drRl_HX7duYNmWRcN5Tue6WcQar1wXr6ZsNQQRG4OUvKNJzyVHD/s4032/blog1219_slopestopflat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8V4jNpZs5VgQBOpcBhSomcM-si2E86EwnjKucD1L-QpdbPSgf2-39T-n-e94-Y9NJPAgRnCDmd5VlhKkhmkjnIqvyk-FJQ5CHOtXBjSGTUX6-CJtA4j8zhlcE9-xQqyfZzCyoFuJ1drRl_HX7duYNmWRcN5Tue6WcQar1wXr6ZsNQQRG4OUvKNJzyVHD/w640-h360/blog1219_slopestopflat.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Bottom slope, steep and icy, and a bit brown:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr0X8habBhNX_JmLdeCGMaBf4eg-o1qZE-3JtwtkQFhBGlDFnfIPWDqCkfp8taB9A4cmBWF_V9_ePostoZ9aZHDygxvST3IoHW8kOW06xl47fsWh0uS3JEWSUkeJmVwmXkPGA55Fnn7IgQQM98tWRPoFkvolD6nUgVQMk0j3Y7tX0P01LueE4rQ0d86Er/s4032/blog1219_slopeslower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr0X8habBhNX_JmLdeCGMaBf4eg-o1qZE-3JtwtkQFhBGlDFnfIPWDqCkfp8taB9A4cmBWF_V9_ePostoZ9aZHDygxvST3IoHW8kOW06xl47fsWh0uS3JEWSUkeJmVwmXkPGA55Fnn7IgQQM98tWRPoFkvolD6nUgVQMk0j3Y7tX0P01LueE4rQ0d86Er/w480-h640/blog1219_slopeslower.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Slopes as seen from the other side of the lake:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaLog0VB2sw58pxMyNoJ0b5WxwOgN-zG2Qk24Emr8XZvU_zn16t1bHKt6rRTu7ipUO69iEDt6DmXjXGCmUH3Tc-_qd0NKunDNG76lgdq3hvsGDWN6zGNCtNRTq5gFDX84qsHIpYxD5Pg3svbgttXUnLW_QLR5OMJ3-ljsfRykwB9j5-mMZB5uPh8xGzkM/s4032/blog1219_slopesfromthelake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaLog0VB2sw58pxMyNoJ0b5WxwOgN-zG2Qk24Emr8XZvU_zn16t1bHKt6rRTu7ipUO69iEDt6DmXjXGCmUH3Tc-_qd0NKunDNG76lgdq3hvsGDWN6zGNCtNRTq5gFDX84qsHIpYxD5Pg3svbgttXUnLW_QLR5OMJ3-ljsfRykwB9j5-mMZB5uPh8xGzkM/w640-h360/blog1219_slopesfromthelake.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Views on the mountain:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJkOevAg88BlfUxDX0443LmEAZFoyRsa8QoJloCZgq6iPoGH9_IMzwMChri9im4vA-vsqoHFj4YfAKK6luBwgjlyW6zkX1_9B-ewVbHbOhaOnNz4Z34ZM_70M469l8MAz0owqhsRpXID9oJLEJeipcjKyQYjSPPgEWy6dLskl9EiQqYqijYXOp-XA5ahb/s4032/blog1219_resortmountainview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJkOevAg88BlfUxDX0443LmEAZFoyRsa8QoJloCZgq6iPoGH9_IMzwMChri9im4vA-vsqoHFj4YfAKK6luBwgjlyW6zkX1_9B-ewVbHbOhaOnNz4Z34ZM_70M469l8MAz0owqhsRpXID9oJLEJeipcjKyQYjSPPgEWy6dLskl9EiQqYqijYXOp-XA5ahb/w640-h360/blog1219_resortmountainview.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Photos resort:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfyg3L9veNOSHSr_1AZkZOP8Kxrcq3KOq11xUBpcnuzPQAZEX9FipTu5Cxr3qtG0RbfqpQanufGPXlpNU4wBjhZFVTDF2pzYaIjA-HBPaAabAKzXjwcYpGigYPKwcgsbAUYIuhLnMG6NZK3P8f79vAHZLSXqMjsmNUlF3FrsjmOpiHglJo4jiVx6iq_K0/s4032/blog1219_resortlifttower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfyg3L9veNOSHSr_1AZkZOP8Kxrcq3KOq11xUBpcnuzPQAZEX9FipTu5Cxr3qtG0RbfqpQanufGPXlpNU4wBjhZFVTDF2pzYaIjA-HBPaAabAKzXjwcYpGigYPKwcgsbAUYIuhLnMG6NZK3P8f79vAHZLSXqMjsmNUlF3FrsjmOpiHglJo4jiVx6iq_K0/w480-h640/blog1219_resortlifttower.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp_MXkn9FdTee3KV0ThcwZMb0-BeAKDt44xM1xHbu9QfAJtuTVTNhby3nyia76Y8krCJZAu54iVrrIk0a8ZDWXynUH5DSQtTkFl2y_RkQ00qpyKWL2c9lQAlixp68ahW_QRkNvjvpNfxgRdUfyxr-XoBWtwtGkGPY-BhDAiumeONDlClyk8DivgLI-snF/s4032/blog1219_resortlakeview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp_MXkn9FdTee3KV0ThcwZMb0-BeAKDt44xM1xHbu9QfAJtuTVTNhby3nyia76Y8krCJZAu54iVrrIk0a8ZDWXynUH5DSQtTkFl2y_RkQ00qpyKWL2c9lQAlixp68ahW_QRkNvjvpNfxgRdUfyxr-XoBWtwtGkGPY-BhDAiumeONDlClyk8DivgLI-snF/w640-h360/blog1219_resortlakeview.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Love this:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_RfhW_azv7r3zbQGb2-o4iNEZdrvFmHaTLsfbzgwa_cdhJblOGRoQYZ5jyu4ahh47V3DzYzUdpbYYa3bOWoAVfsjbcmLBCIN7SrsR0KuoK7rKtCyOTE3toC7sAX77BvX_4EtOtmEOPxqKBFw3bY2kGIC3uZ_BAJxLR5UCqhfjGTzwqEbGeQiyAO1fExI/s4032/blog1219_slopesheart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_RfhW_azv7r3zbQGb2-o4iNEZdrvFmHaTLsfbzgwa_cdhJblOGRoQYZ5jyu4ahh47V3DzYzUdpbYYa3bOWoAVfsjbcmLBCIN7SrsR0KuoK7rKtCyOTE3toC7sAX77BvX_4EtOtmEOPxqKBFw3bY2kGIC3uZ_BAJxLR5UCqhfjGTzwqEbGeQiyAO1fExI/w480-h640/blog1219_slopesheart.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Socialism-era concrete art:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs0Uj19pfOKnXuK4em7LJVJTCZ3inRrkFnx4V9MmS3WUMxtezVn2UxMdb9FeQBaevbjFugaKRAhhPDf8Ae-QWMGHei725F4k2Uvxv4pY6HmGbZicNCRDoklkDJjrPaTiMM3H9FgmNx8XyjaGZbdDJXqyvFVSmYjRyFeeo7LBT_Wn1V1oSnXO7o_ceQICq/s4032/blog1219_mavrovoareaconcrete.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs0Uj19pfOKnXuK4em7LJVJTCZ3inRrkFnx4V9MmS3WUMxtezVn2UxMdb9FeQBaevbjFugaKRAhhPDf8Ae-QWMGHei725F4k2Uvxv4pY6HmGbZicNCRDoklkDJjrPaTiMM3H9FgmNx8XyjaGZbdDJXqyvFVSmYjRyFeeo7LBT_Wn1V1oSnXO7o_ceQICq/w640-h480/blog1219_mavrovoareaconcrete.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Lift ticket:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi411D_9qdGNv_OVlfef87JoRrWGDhiI1QVrhJS_TDd4YbXV4M-NE2VjVX7vM5uhzHFJHtdOpPDL-ADxOzq9WvXIMbTp6aUcTHW_q4hRhV-Bd11e5ChkD2d8Jn5uiKHR9qS7OJ2WbScGiEBXUa0quNz64i8l08pz7jmB9XXoymSX_Z0X_O5OATYj9kPRw5/s3490/blog1219_resortliftticket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3490" data-original-width="2877" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi411D_9qdGNv_OVlfef87JoRrWGDhiI1QVrhJS_TDd4YbXV4M-NE2VjVX7vM5uhzHFJHtdOpPDL-ADxOzq9WvXIMbTp6aUcTHW_q4hRhV-Bd11e5ChkD2d8Jn5uiKHR9qS7OJ2WbScGiEBXUa0quNz64i8l08pz7jmB9XXoymSX_Z0X_O5OATYj9kPRw5/w330-h400/blog1219_resortliftticket.jpg" width="330" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Dinner at Hotel Bistro's restaurant:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e1KWEVqOUyeodWqB8jDz5xxE_7M81jVfnzzwzTuHO896LIicb_3TuirL_FZS8ahANLpw0UT1WccsFADP_VvQUsPXt_lPznKNrkdyFR-T8w0zlP-vePBqL8lFcWpzPnA3FkIeee7be4p1rfy0w1gGoMnX3y8_fE7CuxAri8CKl6hcHGreIut_syOAGHZD/s4032/blog1219_resortdinner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e1KWEVqOUyeodWqB8jDz5xxE_7M81jVfnzzwzTuHO896LIicb_3TuirL_FZS8ahANLpw0UT1WccsFADP_VvQUsPXt_lPznKNrkdyFR-T8w0zlP-vePBqL8lFcWpzPnA3FkIeee7be4p1rfy0w1gGoMnX3y8_fE7CuxAri8CKl6hcHGreIut_syOAGHZD/w640-h360/blog1219_resortdinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Photos Mavrovo area:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKAkJUsDPG6YOXdRrtI396Dq9Ig1rpnIOjWKqV8krSiIKzCjqspd2ov4P62cVKcsmvmtjtvtHjFfry35kWh8BEF_O-tfCpo3J0EtIOInqQDOAqChyphenhyphenzGz89lYwaTRu_HtcnXv2sWzR3eNjFkQBrvYrSspXNdoAcxB5zIKm90GxQgPYsq92iKMCWaLVmX3A/s4032/blog1219_mavrovoareapark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKAkJUsDPG6YOXdRrtI396Dq9Ig1rpnIOjWKqV8krSiIKzCjqspd2ov4P62cVKcsmvmtjtvtHjFfry35kWh8BEF_O-tfCpo3J0EtIOInqQDOAqChyphenhyphenzGz89lYwaTRu_HtcnXv2sWzR3eNjFkQBrvYrSspXNdoAcxB5zIKm90GxQgPYsq92iKMCWaLVmX3A/w480-h640/blog1219_mavrovoareapark.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMPngvI2DuqwIqLOiI4Cw6AceRdO7BcRuStjh1Lk3I8PfzQyiDY-0gqN31vJ5rQvX7bc9u2CFtrfgPzG727Cci5jV5zZ2S6hKsJfgngGz6D0iK8n3_nLHfTic_NosA5O_y1n5YklK7G5OgUcOEj6D-b3Xnqv3mU4gNJrXW_8kJ-jOFeI0MvL6TKM8MSGw/s4032/blog1219_mavrovoarealake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMPngvI2DuqwIqLOiI4Cw6AceRdO7BcRuStjh1Lk3I8PfzQyiDY-0gqN31vJ5rQvX7bc9u2CFtrfgPzG727Cci5jV5zZ2S6hKsJfgngGz6D0iK8n3_nLHfTic_NosA5O_y1n5YklK7G5OgUcOEj6D-b3Xnqv3mU4gNJrXW_8kJ-jOFeI0MvL6TKM8MSGw/w640-h360/blog1219_mavrovoarealake.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwjqcFwojH6hYcqecf4u2ipnqxfUcS2Hop8xQ9h3B274rHEXhEKArHFx1G2JtdN8G0-Swe3qzmVb6QJF-6NTkBiRlKJ5HQH7qiobAATgqF8NqzXggaRWzwC0ocMIUn7trwmpSWpGTrFElNQ1bkLIuxzfPr483OOYpZYA561kN3fNdaQL6tX2kMNT9uil4/s4032/blog1219_mavrovoareanightlights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwjqcFwojH6hYcqecf4u2ipnqxfUcS2Hop8xQ9h3B274rHEXhEKArHFx1G2JtdN8G0-Swe3qzmVb6QJF-6NTkBiRlKJ5HQH7qiobAATgqF8NqzXggaRWzwC0ocMIUn7trwmpSWpGTrFElNQ1bkLIuxzfPr483OOYpZYA561kN3fNdaQL6tX2kMNT9uil4/w640-h360/blog1219_mavrovoareanightlights.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqK9ePsW50v7W_aA5-Od9UVESXKcFqnu7owHWtsGDcjjlhrGdprRwY9i1m6RDwvlRwZRTJiELsC5RcxB5NbCTcTG5FtZkyZyDzMTlpHTvwFBvgS44kcRwjcYkBIyfT_fDZjqngDHsSiv4SVjltgjdPajJv3_mLq4iL0WO2knPQrE0L4s8aqV9i8VqXvuV/s4032/blog1219_mavrovoareanightmoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqK9ePsW50v7W_aA5-Od9UVESXKcFqnu7owHWtsGDcjjlhrGdprRwY9i1m6RDwvlRwZRTJiELsC5RcxB5NbCTcTG5FtZkyZyDzMTlpHTvwFBvgS44kcRwjcYkBIyfT_fDZjqngDHsSiv4SVjltgjdPajJv3_mLq4iL0WO2knPQrE0L4s8aqV9i8VqXvuV/w640-h360/blog1219_mavrovoareanightmoon.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Photos from the flight trip to get to North Macedonia. Frankfurt airport:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibITMxko2Gv8Sd_054XTcO8XcU6zBCrMx7kMbuWz03v9YkURFo71Fwf5rSQnj0Ptk86OwtKfnriWkfEiZtMnW2Gp9bI46e8ppUt2hMwYdCa0uKynZ_nNOUL_puhibawltbYoX0_mTPWYwl_n_PGRbQi2RFmqwt_-MV3UTu7siuxGxaKGk4mIlUSHmXPCQ/s2700/blog1219_flightfrankfurt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="2700" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibITMxko2Gv8Sd_054XTcO8XcU6zBCrMx7kMbuWz03v9YkURFo71Fwf5rSQnj0Ptk86OwtKfnriWkfEiZtMnW2Gp9bI46e8ppUt2hMwYdCa0uKynZ_nNOUL_puhibawltbYoX0_mTPWYwl_n_PGRbQi2RFmqwt_-MV3UTu7siuxGxaKGk4mIlUSHmXPCQ/w640-h380/blog1219_flightfrankfurt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Helsinki airport:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBYHevDm1dvEZMZMGZ6PmP6sJKCCbbh5M6_TFmOFcCnV15ZtFwBgJNhzuoEp4GS52sYQvVfqFFUsc_U_9pwZJJKVuSNILsc7Gst0waKQzSlWyYpUJI7Q19_QSKyHIWahq3JlsRLM8PCXA1Oh9WWOI03Yf1sVvgb_f982YRZ4JY4cNMTxKILze0K4TNaVj/s4032/blog1219_flightlufthansa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBYHevDm1dvEZMZMGZ6PmP6sJKCCbbh5M6_TFmOFcCnV15ZtFwBgJNhzuoEp4GS52sYQvVfqFFUsc_U_9pwZJJKVuSNILsc7Gst0waKQzSlWyYpUJI7Q19_QSKyHIWahq3JlsRLM8PCXA1Oh9WWOI03Yf1sVvgb_f982YRZ4JY4cNMTxKILze0K4TNaVj/w640-h480/blog1219_flightlufthansa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Skopje airport:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWnNmeF4o-9hs9Db-574rfEwRrxXEXATKDgG4aC45oCewcEU8sCLDBVQ_E6KMlhDmc_a64Bsg7m3I3DPTb-c5mfdZtBvEaWVloPA8e7J1Cu1of4YTHq-od7SuWVxixpODNc472d5WgK1PHqVXXtm16SDVONEBpoQePyjCtPshm-noUA5ylAky5elUaX2B/s4032/blog1219_flightskopje.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWnNmeF4o-9hs9Db-574rfEwRrxXEXATKDgG4aC45oCewcEU8sCLDBVQ_E6KMlhDmc_a64Bsg7m3I3DPTb-c5mfdZtBvEaWVloPA8e7J1Cu1of4YTHq-od7SuWVxixpODNc472d5WgK1PHqVXXtm16SDVONEBpoQePyjCtPshm-noUA5ylAky5elUaX2B/w640-h360/blog1219_flightskopje.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Tickets:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG63l7ENI3h5wGoCQPRQd4LHlJagIKmfxXqdoNYOC4V4HyuU4RmKyJCzKMNmhxSHOwHxveQuELMNGMzZ66E4SWf8uuBGEYyXDweuOdIprzn9y9ap_no4ZuFPZO6hsbk3i01cjgJAZtAr8aR0w33dO4NyGqC_lDLVDE7wuHPsMiE0yA9VfvR9g5o_tpJNzB/s4032/blog1219_flighttickets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG63l7ENI3h5wGoCQPRQd4LHlJagIKmfxXqdoNYOC4V4HyuU4RmKyJCzKMNmhxSHOwHxveQuELMNGMzZ66E4SWf8uuBGEYyXDweuOdIprzn9y9ap_no4ZuFPZO6hsbk3i01cjgJAZtAr8aR0w33dO4NyGqC_lDLVDE7wuHPsMiE0yA9VfvR9g5o_tpJNzB/w300-h400/blog1219_flighttickets.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Zagreb airport: </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCKOv5XRHCadXryQiH1h4LvfRG1JJUHRbNxhdzCZRMC8UktcWT_gTRjpu5mEZpzST95bzgWMKwNKITTL3CTc74ixpedyyGfTgNlOq-C6qyIFOjJrbyLLVSE2L5MpEWqF_cvtE9VcLeTObuyvHAi4bQdzd2oR2cLhUx8YTF54vuriqMLg6hvWFIN9HrOY-/s4032/blog1219_flightzagreb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCKOv5XRHCadXryQiH1h4LvfRG1JJUHRbNxhdzCZRMC8UktcWT_gTRjpu5mEZpzST95bzgWMKwNKITTL3CTc74ixpedyyGfTgNlOq-C6qyIFOjJrbyLLVSE2L5MpEWqF_cvtE9VcLeTObuyvHAi4bQdzd2oR2cLhUx8YTF54vuriqMLg6hvWFIN9HrOY-/w640-h360/blog1219_flightzagreb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hotel Vila Zana:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi924D1v7GAAVW1SSlSeYtuL6NJc5SK5WFZZm6JGfWeNaD3ithBr9E3vG0CyIA7RfkEyBwK54_rFM19STJi27RgXMlzXWAAqzYld3TQpVGFx-PCN-6STx-c25xL-91VhQMsVc0sOrXkoO-VBXAH_Mxk39oVjZJ0Q0ivvM8Q_Eqlh8S2TC-PhZukfZpUMloU/s4032/blog1219_hotelbfast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi924D1v7GAAVW1SSlSeYtuL6NJc5SK5WFZZm6JGfWeNaD3ithBr9E3vG0CyIA7RfkEyBwK54_rFM19STJi27RgXMlzXWAAqzYld3TQpVGFx-PCN-6STx-c25xL-91VhQMsVc0sOrXkoO-VBXAH_Mxk39oVjZJ0Q0ivvM8Q_Eqlh8S2TC-PhZukfZpUMloU/w480-h640/blog1219_hotelbfast.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Highways in North Macedonia:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoUtZvFA7F_UPs3232O0VJZ82XmJvGF6LvY6fjt1XDgj82mD5q-rtJLsJvYidZuRmCW4kcc3lj6Ywty0XfiK8drNnNhNetbYd0v9-INB0qw4RlDAo14GlIfSCt7ORlyC21nkZBGmtXsNffFZG4JjEx8WnOMDTh8qr2EhM5ECmo-rApbM_AqzvwIIdXU5C/s4032/blog1219_macedoniaroad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoUtZvFA7F_UPs3232O0VJZ82XmJvGF6LvY6fjt1XDgj82mD5q-rtJLsJvYidZuRmCW4kcc3lj6Ywty0XfiK8drNnNhNetbYd0v9-INB0qw4RlDAo14GlIfSCt7ORlyC21nkZBGmtXsNffFZG4JjEx8WnOMDTh8qr2EhM5ECmo-rApbM_AqzvwIIdXU5C/w640-h360/blog1219_macedoniaroad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This article has also appeared at <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/story/ski/ski-trip-to-north-macedonia?" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2023-2024 by Jari Arkko.</p></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-40987460234699729782024-02-10T08:06:00.000-08:002024-02-10T10:30:56.763-08:00Albania skiing with goats and chicken<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SEWe7RhzH_xtA5iUAqqfqabw1i5PBTeeguHTaFJ0AP6AStpcuRbS7d_6S0fVcNCWePpBx8Ahet7FehQsrBORinaVPo_N1jbBG36chufoPXBPTPmFytw5KQw7Pm-qI8Tc25NqNhD54r0Rb4XfSdwi5QINXDhGmk6ndh5XSAcKTM5J7ZYE4LMcIfqzGSv2/s4032/blog1218_kolmelaaksoa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SEWe7RhzH_xtA5iUAqqfqabw1i5PBTeeguHTaFJ0AP6AStpcuRbS7d_6S0fVcNCWePpBx8Ahet7FehQsrBORinaVPo_N1jbBG36chufoPXBPTPmFytw5KQw7Pm-qI8Tc25NqNhD54r0Rb4XfSdwi5QINXDhGmk6ndh5XSAcKTM5J7ZYE4LMcIfqzGSv2/w360-h640/blog1218_kolmelaaksoa.jpg" width="360" /></a></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Topped off my 2023 by skiing in Albania. A bit early season... but friendly people, great restaurant, beautiful scenery. and lots of other skiers on the slopes with goatees and fresh eggs. Ski Pista Bigell, in Dardhe, near Korcë.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">The ski area is bigger than the pictures show, due to lack of snow only the "RC Courchevel" magic carpet lift was running. Lift ticket was 10 euros, not sure how long I could have skied with that. But there was unlimited hike-up-by-yourself options.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">It was not easy getting here. I mean it was easy to get here once we knew where we were going. But ... it was not easy to figure out if there were ski areas in Albania, and if so, if they were open. Skiresort.info has a nice list of ski resorts for each country. Their <a href="https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/albania/" target="_blank">list of Albanian ski resorts</a> is odd, though. Bigëll – Dardhë is the only one they have some actual information on. The other possible resorts are just listed but without any information, along with a note "<span style="color: red;">Unfortunately, we do not have any detailed information about this ski resort</span>". I googled all of them for quite some time, but could find nothing. Ski Pista Bigell, however, friendly answered phone, spoke perfect English, and said they were open! They did apologize for having only the training lift open, though, given lack of snow. Well, it was early season (December) so that's to be expected. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">I was so happy that there was a slope, and that it was within a reasonable driving distance. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">As <span><a tabindex="-1"></a></span>an aside, this and my previous day's skiing in Mavrovo, North Macedonia puts my country count to 64 I think. What I'm missing within Europe is Moldova, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Kosovo, Gibraltar, and ... the Vatican but I could be missing some micronations. Principality of Sealand? And anybody have connections to the Vatican, I heard it goes up pretty high?</div></div><p><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Mavrovo was great, by the way. The only place in Macedonia that was open, but a ton of fun and they had plenty of snow. Other areas like Popova Shapka seemed even bigger and interesting but were not open yet. See the other article for more details!</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Video:</div><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BVWU5wiHoNA?si=qrt-hWYY1bsDj0BH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">More pictures, starting with the lift:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0en5FB4se2txiWMW8zKfy9ghGzX36rrPYjFPlJe9fmzEIHv2NMX1b9m9-EQOnqddktUf2j14oAomxgD8jfpmTciC473xK8Zg_BgeddqtmRIXRNLwlm29GJJpNAROT73coKWNJmiaRvKP4NHOaZNRwpbvcB44NTPusnVxej8g13npHy7vPgz9NK-aDqe4/s4032/blog1218_hissi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0en5FB4se2txiWMW8zKfy9ghGzX36rrPYjFPlJe9fmzEIHv2NMX1b9m9-EQOnqddktUf2j14oAomxgD8jfpmTciC473xK8Zg_BgeddqtmRIXRNLwlm29GJJpNAROT73coKWNJmiaRvKP4NHOaZNRwpbvcB44NTPusnVxej8g13npHy7vPgz9NK-aDqe4/w480-h640/blog1218_hissi.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ski lodge:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtODiXbf04vCWDAGfi81qDxu9NxBEyr4HK2ubErSY_nUv24zu2oyfNREKwNIRHs9TPWdBXXHK-iigAWjf5AjRdx3Vyj6zf1OVWXgqTyZh2zpyv6RGfHHKu5_vF1elyPNwwP7u4f_XmaCW1P-aLV_3KMzNZSdfRF1VMjrlRguyOBF1FMWAbK5fqD85KzvQ/s4032/blog1218_aurinko.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtODiXbf04vCWDAGfi81qDxu9NxBEyr4HK2ubErSY_nUv24zu2oyfNREKwNIRHs9TPWdBXXHK-iigAWjf5AjRdx3Vyj6zf1OVWXgqTyZh2zpyv6RGfHHKu5_vF1elyPNwwP7u4f_XmaCW1P-aLV_3KMzNZSdfRF1VMjrlRguyOBF1FMWAbK5fqD85KzvQ/w640-h360/blog1218_aurinko.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Goats and chicken:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HRIjB-C3cTiHFCQgpUhY_QSygRLStHbIMGP_shZECBJ1FroPc6ioXY8aUX4SBLxDWJxFdd0lKtH2RXIXK2PzFT5ZgKr551XM748XPG52werLr6TN9zoSM3WsdfYqVpTU6NvuJuyWeYv5AdBdIbNvG4CkN0x93y1DSqypsoQ4tmCdEbhhIXvR06bYlQ8D/s4032/blog1218_kiipeily.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HRIjB-C3cTiHFCQgpUhY_QSygRLStHbIMGP_shZECBJ1FroPc6ioXY8aUX4SBLxDWJxFdd0lKtH2RXIXK2PzFT5ZgKr551XM748XPG52werLr6TN9zoSM3WsdfYqVpTU6NvuJuyWeYv5AdBdIbNvG4CkN0x93y1DSqypsoQ4tmCdEbhhIXvR06bYlQ8D/w640-h360/blog1218_kiipeily.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div>The view of the goats, with the ski lodge and lift behind:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupaHjouSPH_sxCMzU1ye2Sse-LTfqWBgFB_fIfX1NmrsMOXJzF7RdVYFt8RWcOBqFjBBRuKhqCMZc9GC5BgbI-pEQcNOuAEkXh0XsXZUk6nO-fCidMH53JeBXM7JABcAyQy9ZSa4DlBhbHFeUZNuRrEooe99CcQPaFuR1B4EBBKtfLnhyCWfA55wz1fbt/s3786/blog1218_pukitjakeskus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3786" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupaHjouSPH_sxCMzU1ye2Sse-LTfqWBgFB_fIfX1NmrsMOXJzF7RdVYFt8RWcOBqFjBBRuKhqCMZc9GC5BgbI-pEQcNOuAEkXh0XsXZUk6nO-fCidMH53JeBXM7JABcAyQy9ZSa4DlBhbHFeUZNuRrEooe99CcQPaFuR1B4EBBKtfLnhyCWfA55wz1fbt/w640-h332/blog1218_pukitjakeskus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div>The bottom of the slope:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiYN4VlxHXSyE9mFxt8R84kjZ1svDGTC8yhTJ4yBDI7ZSA2ugBKDwy4UWHtPAShc2-H1nz4Obxgc9dIm5jfJdah3ENCbcCb3ga_l5e1YjYygmGsMF1GDqD24Mv_satoqntWWBn_TIfA12OsCZeURfnVzS0qJOFnzuAbgAy4J-3XHoqmlTAXK07Z21r1ex/s4032/blog1218_alaosa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiYN4VlxHXSyE9mFxt8R84kjZ1svDGTC8yhTJ4yBDI7ZSA2ugBKDwy4UWHtPAShc2-H1nz4Obxgc9dIm5jfJdah3ENCbcCb3ga_l5e1YjYygmGsMF1GDqD24Mv_satoqntWWBn_TIfA12OsCZeURfnVzS0qJOFnzuAbgAy4J-3XHoqmlTAXK07Z21r1ex/w640-h360/blog1218_alaosa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">The restaurant:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYLTUlcPUVhcuuGj96Id9vR2v7qo93BscoxFA_fwlf7Bt0Py9HeIIUpF_ujCMLxtx9goaI6ITyj1263HdI1KWF4mtVAmmgGjuIeomR1Mrn-UbKm8aJRJQArjXG7AxPtzTAhzyUnmWavsRpLsz0uS-qFalHW6b8VKlVrggFAzc7lkDsXz0X8dDQh7dRNHO/s4032/blog1218_ravintola.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYLTUlcPUVhcuuGj96Id9vR2v7qo93BscoxFA_fwlf7Bt0Py9HeIIUpF_ujCMLxtx9goaI6ITyj1263HdI1KWF4mtVAmmgGjuIeomR1Mrn-UbKm8aJRJQArjXG7AxPtzTAhzyUnmWavsRpLsz0uS-qFalHW6b8VKlVrggFAzc7lkDsXz0X8dDQh7dRNHO/w640-h360/blog1218_ravintola.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div>A horse on the (road) way down from the resort:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODjOsTJSqvcaPMZ47Rabrv-1Q9C3jCRWkLDokFgUcB_REKWE2KvS3gFJxJXnW87DUZTYKELTI7wCWfcL8kz0k5XrV8NZdMhomOdGyGE_p827J0jnw_m4DmTy9nuJtD4SoThTATh_DhqendRQFHuFMhCtsEUDTyi8ljoY6usQUG7GjPgZ7AJKU7yWMnrWa/s3909/blog1218_heppa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="3909" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODjOsTJSqvcaPMZ47Rabrv-1Q9C3jCRWkLDokFgUcB_REKWE2KvS3gFJxJXnW87DUZTYKELTI7wCWfcL8kz0k5XrV8NZdMhomOdGyGE_p827J0jnw_m4DmTy9nuJtD4SoThTATh_DhqendRQFHuFMhCtsEUDTyi8ljoY6usQUG7GjPgZ7AJKU7yWMnrWa/w640-h360/blog1218_heppa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div>My lift ticket:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfxSMjL5n9DsLPCX-Wr7B5nrqtaXxHZ3k9tAl23_wJmsbp1HoP9rCuuKeXZPLr48xW-QQ2luKIiCB-Uyte-LaicfCEeugAnYf85E5u-K5mbikzhxR7RNURQneVlrY797YJuLNKIfpDVg1hh61lzy4yzOgG4Fd3sd3jNQnzwphBpqGnG-DOhYudE26cEk5/s3876/blog1218_lippu.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3876" data-original-width="2312" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfxSMjL5n9DsLPCX-Wr7B5nrqtaXxHZ3k9tAl23_wJmsbp1HoP9rCuuKeXZPLr48xW-QQ2luKIiCB-Uyte-LaicfCEeugAnYf85E5u-K5mbikzhxR7RNURQneVlrY797YJuLNKIfpDVg1hh61lzy4yzOgG4Fd3sd3jNQnzwphBpqGnG-DOhYudE26cEk5/w382-h640/blog1218_lippu.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div>Other slopes:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-VVR6sV3cPh5j2rYBp5pKLUor45a7u-wrORXF0pebNpxnRke6h2V6nJcKOwiOr7pr98PlYcTjIhhHkOvbDEKxBAeyVVmw3n0FJymRndWLAFdKBweyoe2ZrYvJINnI9y7b6l52mQLX-kkyuPufqwSPUKbvGGTB1R-j5ByCA0y6YOO24tp_5vcKIyHmR_9/s4032/blog1218_rinneparempi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-VVR6sV3cPh5j2rYBp5pKLUor45a7u-wrORXF0pebNpxnRke6h2V6nJcKOwiOr7pr98PlYcTjIhhHkOvbDEKxBAeyVVmw3n0FJymRndWLAFdKBweyoe2ZrYvJINnI9y7b6l52mQLX-kkyuPufqwSPUKbvGGTB1R-j5ByCA0y6YOO24tp_5vcKIyHmR_9/w640-h360/blog1218_rinneparempi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div>The snow cat, seen its best days:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRVKEr07fMpiG0cECUX_CVbgWzAxoRGFBGWBXuuH5Vomo6LEYrn_Myen9ABZ1Qskmm9emVLS802KJWq4W_L5yPHW0zD3hichLtkfRPGxEP4eB9iCSsqmn-SULQTgYWMKaqMqVkPB10GsJP8GY9dz0dbAzFDF30k-V7ReI74VUsOaCRIwxPYz6kYEpmQuH/s4032/blog1218_rinnekone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRVKEr07fMpiG0cECUX_CVbgWzAxoRGFBGWBXuuH5Vomo6LEYrn_Myen9ABZ1Qskmm9emVLS802KJWq4W_L5yPHW0zD3hichLtkfRPGxEP4eB9iCSsqmn-SULQTgYWMKaqMqVkPB10GsJP8GY9dz0dbAzFDF30k-V7ReI74VUsOaCRIwxPYz6kYEpmQuH/w640-h360/blog1218_rinnekone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">Border crossing to Albania:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsGVbIEuvdjKfZXAYlrctkK50i06j95KzQkXjiSzrHSx3KOEXUKMyO_Iv8JyizGt69X_xxUF0QMqU5PWEwrN-J5n_Pp3-2QpyORxU_oS5kgmiK-P0Vg5iM5J-eHv2eakjb9zx5Y0xGSnrBgSZfxNl1mDJdhVIoUUK4GNT8acdq6i_YTXGxjEGTMVIQ8R0/s4032/blog1218_border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsGVbIEuvdjKfZXAYlrctkK50i06j95KzQkXjiSzrHSx3KOEXUKMyO_Iv8JyizGt69X_xxUF0QMqU5PWEwrN-J5n_Pp3-2QpyORxU_oS5kgmiK-P0Vg5iM5J-eHv2eakjb9zx5Y0xGSnrBgSZfxNl1mDJdhVIoUUK4GNT8acdq6i_YTXGxjEGTMVIQ8R0/w640-h480/blog1218_border.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Author on the lift:</div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a"><br /><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9vctBSI9-6ooqXZW-YV2u4L_p_5uPk9XJQMLe7jc2UmxK0_ZS9r4nYqYvCI_mW17IVf8xsnhyjju5m_cQ_U3ILwEMvsELdfWMKZHrQ-6lnLoZhUej51YoGd9aW7lyfkB-H_jMGo6KTVpiWrU8zthTTvbUqTgOFY3xTt58YrPY_C3SAUADfUX4LOPz49t/s4032/blog1218_kirjoittaja.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9vctBSI9-6ooqXZW-YV2u4L_p_5uPk9XJQMLe7jc2UmxK0_ZS9r4nYqYvCI_mW17IVf8xsnhyjju5m_cQ_U3ILwEMvsELdfWMKZHrQ-6lnLoZhUej51YoGd9aW7lyfkB-H_jMGo6KTVpiWrU8zthTTvbUqTgOFY3xTt58YrPY_C3SAUADfUX4LOPz49t/w640-h480/blog1218_kirjoittaja.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">This article has also appeared at <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/story/ski/albania-skiing-goats-and-chicken?" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko.</div></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-50462620324940006162024-02-04T06:05:00.000-08:002024-02-04T06:05:32.816-08:00Night skiing. Really night, as in no lights.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqMpXEusPTG2VRGgSCch1mnNaCOMFyjjJEiIoCB2Rv9R6d5q_NGjWqXZehBI-SohOkNJjFEzwxm_2LgR2mJqpPyyI0BGf23tMjHPEjIW8ytuBOctn0gFgRp_goDrJehNA1r4Bpb0EitwXXceZFd87qfqUsF0UgwLcpCivMdIX_i29K6Bz4VbzfcH_I8lc/s3000/blog1238_jarioutfit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqMpXEusPTG2VRGgSCch1mnNaCOMFyjjJEiIoCB2Rv9R6d5q_NGjWqXZehBI-SohOkNJjFEzwxm_2LgR2mJqpPyyI0BGf23tMjHPEjIW8ytuBOctn0gFgRp_goDrJehNA1r4Bpb0EitwXXceZFd87qfqUsF0UgwLcpCivMdIX_i29K6Bz4VbzfcH_I8lc/w426-h640/blog1238_jarioutfit1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Lux Nuuksio is an event in the wintery Nuuksio, in a popular national park north of the capital region of Finland. The scenery is lit with candles, fires, lanterns, and ... skier's headlamps. And in my case, skier's Christmas lights and the big, shining Mickey Mouse ears.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both Jarmo and I had noted this event, and went there. The skier's part took place in <a href="https://swinghill.fi" target="_blank">Swinghill</a>, a small ski hill popular among the die hard skiers and uphill skinners. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was wonderful, people (not me) skiing moguls with just their headlight, the scenery around the mountain was still lit a bit by street lights and the receding sunset, everything looked much prettier in the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>My outfit? It was ok in the end, though it was the second iteration, and actually a failure of that second iteration. I didn't start out by trying to put on Mickey Mouse ears :-) I started out by trying to build a Chinese-style Ikea lamp paper shade (4.90€) around my helmet. But, as you might guess I did not find a way to insert my helmet into this tensioned wire and paper ball. Or my head for that matter. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plan B was to put up two Lumonite headlamps in my helmet, but do it in a way that they would end up being inside blue rubber balloons. I didn't have much trust that this would succeed, but to my surprise it was possible to pull the balloon opening over half of the lamp, still blow it up, still operate the lamp buttons that were now inside the balloon, and not have the hot LEDs burn through the rubber.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, in the process the bright lights - even if set at the lowest setting - overpowered the blue color, so I ended up with two bright lamps dangling above my helmet. </div><div><br /></div><div>It looked pretty stupid, but did fit my character so why not? </div><div><br /></div><div>I jumped into my car and grabbed a batter powered Christmas lights to wrap around myself for added measure. And added stupidity.</div><div><br /></div><div>And it was actually fun! The mouse ears gave just enough light to barely see a bit of the slope, even with the helmet visor on. </div><div><br /></div><div>The only downside was that despite advice, I went to do this while slightly feeling my throat. Been feeling that all week... and the outing did not improve the condition :-(</div><div><br /></div><div>Helmet construction:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Views:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_cpdFRwBUPv1u06zDEfBoO2GNr6ok3pJLlc59EfPTtvU3a-9gElCvYbPlwiTuxvWN2jdhjgiNivDvq4pkzKzSLEWgvPW1UE3LDKjqsw6EIykA6muktBKH2-UpO_A5Auvr_N6owB-IuWO48zv1XzODOAQX_jQ2rFtXTiPkzSFa-9pI4mnOqkA6TNZsWtu/s4032/blog1238_fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_cpdFRwBUPv1u06zDEfBoO2GNr6ok3pJLlc59EfPTtvU3a-9gElCvYbPlwiTuxvWN2jdhjgiNivDvq4pkzKzSLEWgvPW1UE3LDKjqsw6EIykA6muktBKH2-UpO_A5Auvr_N6owB-IuWO48zv1XzODOAQX_jQ2rFtXTiPkzSFa-9pI4mnOqkA6TNZsWtu/w360-h640/blog1238_fire.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JTe7fh05i9FVI-9rI73bob2t6AS5kON3Gy5a7yItjih2lkfUiTfQLwTyPpDgSKNXBOD9urAjopYXaK5wHDRKsk_2G9s5Zqyspu9JgwpZV4EbPU4C7OtWmgiV24phRN51O2O5J9QFhUSkOFa07HpQkSSk0nKEhDKka4XxJlEJDUanguz4nonZqTiVTaBP/s3000/blog1238_skijari1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JTe7fh05i9FVI-9rI73bob2t6AS5kON3Gy5a7yItjih2lkfUiTfQLwTyPpDgSKNXBOD9urAjopYXaK5wHDRKsk_2G9s5Zqyspu9JgwpZV4EbPU4C7OtWmgiV24phRN51O2O5J9QFhUSkOFa07HpQkSSk0nKEhDKka4XxJlEJDUanguz4nonZqTiVTaBP/w640-h426/blog1238_skijari1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZmAqLFPnpETKH7oidX4H23Imc1VGtsydU7fDsBmpuuxM0xYgrKE5hg7cSjQwcQuhvy3aRemMzPwY4zh6RCYI_BPaLDqQaSZeq5ILwHx2Z5TyJiBpLeRNxsfk9fFd5qxbZEbnK8q2Niix_MHbBc-0HXyxNR6mrkqy-W9imWB7vt6LzXyXYGgfxvdxYAJi/s3000/blog1238_skijari4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZmAqLFPnpETKH7oidX4H23Imc1VGtsydU7fDsBmpuuxM0xYgrKE5hg7cSjQwcQuhvy3aRemMzPwY4zh6RCYI_BPaLDqQaSZeq5ILwHx2Z5TyJiBpLeRNxsfk9fFd5qxbZEbnK8q2Niix_MHbBc-0HXyxNR6mrkqy-W9imWB7vt6LzXyXYGgfxvdxYAJi/w640-h426/blog1238_skijari4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsImX4-9BX9RD6_VocHm3hcLolneK1hF6n_lIQcSCDXbm2OoEjPPWn8QwIrWKthHKeee8ncmjunL2vsFepNYfUhv3bl1qV1UbqzH3j9HqtHCM6nYUCr0tx9TvBDtpnTEu3HgF60hVuvYc3IByL5jUKvRhvXG6UdH4rPsEu0KjyLgIqTGB-kW6fqRGq8iMV/s4032/blog1238_hut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsImX4-9BX9RD6_VocHm3hcLolneK1hF6n_lIQcSCDXbm2OoEjPPWn8QwIrWKthHKeee8ncmjunL2vsFepNYfUhv3bl1qV1UbqzH3j9HqtHCM6nYUCr0tx9TvBDtpnTEu3HgF60hVuvYc3IByL5jUKvRhvXG6UdH4rPsEu0KjyLgIqTGB-kW6fqRGq8iMV/w640-h480/blog1238_hut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The professional dress code:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR3eyNuQHzgAAWP8fg7ZTc0TaoyLhQwvySHPUZaaReDo6zqH8yA1zzrQ4Z7wGJftZuUs6iST1baRCdX_kR09JLjaU0J2NDagWQOSVtH4A3m4mtkcL-wSOQlC52bmsMr-P0HFx68BqprSSxNPakexmQUUCK8yfDiM8AgC0ra78ZF2HbYVB2w-LcgpY4Qcj/s4032/blog1238_jarmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR3eyNuQHzgAAWP8fg7ZTc0TaoyLhQwvySHPUZaaReDo6zqH8yA1zzrQ4Z7wGJftZuUs6iST1baRCdX_kR09JLjaU0J2NDagWQOSVtH4A3m4mtkcL-wSOQlC52bmsMr-P0HFx68BqprSSxNPakexmQUUCK8yfDiM8AgC0ra78ZF2HbYVB2w-LcgpY4Qcj/w480-h640/blog1238_jarmo.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dNDiqIiIDuweIt8bXfp5g0HQdKbTsKal88ufiWs-kygGKUXttLfQRtaqwJL_pP_oPo8Tzh_moLdWnPnwzbMdxnEPi3xpR6JJZgbwc3PUAIy7LAgtbuwWCzKqwm6mKLCf4Pqh__N66JdByet8Xz914kE-ldSS6_ZSPb_w1dNSLcALo9QoJ1V3TjxQ4mL0/s4032/blog1238_lift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dNDiqIiIDuweIt8bXfp5g0HQdKbTsKal88ufiWs-kygGKUXttLfQRtaqwJL_pP_oPo8Tzh_moLdWnPnwzbMdxnEPi3xpR6JJZgbwc3PUAIy7LAgtbuwWCzKqwm6mKLCf4Pqh__N66JdByet8Xz914kE-ldSS6_ZSPb_w1dNSLcALo9QoJ1V3TjxQ4mL0/w640-h360/blog1238_lift.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cafeteria:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeZONJCIII_1iNnDTodKPI_-lwlSADH7ybnOublRvoEfvvnpc1IGV5MBw93QtOBzPkrxHGvNYUoU-6QwXjKj5u8hHaQBg10nc-Tk8FN_KgZb2jZNxnPo_RE6pFqW0ZCq_WUp6avhx9pbBe_XuPVKSLHvneaBpdY8pe257mCHVw3d3PngTTts33ppHpCKU/s4032/blog1238_cafe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeZONJCIII_1iNnDTodKPI_-lwlSADH7ybnOublRvoEfvvnpc1IGV5MBw93QtOBzPkrxHGvNYUoU-6QwXjKj5u8hHaQBg10nc-Tk8FN_KgZb2jZNxnPo_RE6pFqW0ZCq_WUp6avhx9pbBe_XuPVKSLHvneaBpdY8pe257mCHVw3d3PngTTts33ppHpCKU/w640-h480/blog1238_cafe1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiCdXz4UUYhndUyZCfnq0mZ8RZoxC6507x__ZMAZXW_ZxjpM7Rtn6vKdsrA5LWTzvaFLwxJ-xSTtff3xVQ9KGY4yn3230tNMmZw2705GyC5dMhcG0t81SeynVeoyaGYcE7CfW3rX34riWn6Ao-aYKQX88oZqZw1kxJ6OYK2_xQXF6Rzr8o2kgylOKYmQW/s4032/blog1238_cafe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiCdXz4UUYhndUyZCfnq0mZ8RZoxC6507x__ZMAZXW_ZxjpM7Rtn6vKdsrA5LWTzvaFLwxJ-xSTtff3xVQ9KGY4yn3230tNMmZw2705GyC5dMhcG0t81SeynVeoyaGYcE7CfW3rX34riWn6Ao-aYKQX88oZqZw1kxJ6OYK2_xQXF6Rzr8o2kgylOKYmQW/w640-h480/blog1238_cafe2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Me:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FscU9O5rG5HEl7W-oW0tuqOBkHjPfJ-gFqn6MMb53YAJu20em_y-so_PvGQ525t-xxaGrmi-Ee5CngQGBhG25USp-2_oi6aNnXSFUUVNgv09OpeM1MKo7h9ie4EV0ZEPr9qPp949FCtv3__yK7aIsmx5MKEzDQA2wMSu93yGoKCwp9MEOmj-kGIQTpJ3/s3000/blog1238_skijari3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FscU9O5rG5HEl7W-oW0tuqOBkHjPfJ-gFqn6MMb53YAJu20em_y-so_PvGQ525t-xxaGrmi-Ee5CngQGBhG25USp-2_oi6aNnXSFUUVNgv09OpeM1MKo7h9ie4EV0ZEPr9qPp949FCtv3__yK7aIsmx5MKEzDQA2wMSu93yGoKCwp9MEOmj-kGIQTpJ3/w640-h426/blog1238_skijari3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzrvQpnTHu6o1aXUNHxhpMRwtazeAWv5Ha4beenK35VtbOr64ug70F6sS6qOlTOa05d-o-VEyBj16ARk2fdnu6qLESwCn3myxpSQOvOvaqUFE1hYWVW0NV08V13qjciUjqEQImRPX3ygHjsQe_2yJOu2eaAwc8vGDtIl31zgw_7DNz5xwLPna88yS7W87/s4032/blog1238_candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzrvQpnTHu6o1aXUNHxhpMRwtazeAWv5Ha4beenK35VtbOr64ug70F6sS6qOlTOa05d-o-VEyBj16ARk2fdnu6qLESwCn3myxpSQOvOvaqUFE1hYWVW0NV08V13qjciUjqEQImRPX3ygHjsQe_2yJOu2eaAwc8vGDtIl31zgw_7DNz5xwLPna88yS7W87/w640-h360/blog1238_candles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvPHRxcxysz-M-chR1j7tkVhL2AECqhV2FXsBF_L_ZWGq1XpEjFXydy1wjYBW9UQPIbymw0QrFoxDNEyz_RLcvT99cEXDlt5m8-IRIOXUo8l5O792qAb3ZHQkf2jdOno7aR3ADUDcn_Uzw7SL3Gt9XypqnRXyXdv2lHR7TeLX16FOq138J3K8Aoe0gzIk/s3000/blog1238_skijari5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvPHRxcxysz-M-chR1j7tkVhL2AECqhV2FXsBF_L_ZWGq1XpEjFXydy1wjYBW9UQPIbymw0QrFoxDNEyz_RLcvT99cEXDlt5m8-IRIOXUo8l5O792qAb3ZHQkf2jdOno7aR3ADUDcn_Uzw7SL3Gt9XypqnRXyXdv2lHR7TeLX16FOq138J3K8Aoe0gzIk/w640-h426/blog1238_skijari5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko and Jarmo Ruuth. Actually, photos mostly by Jarmo (thanks!)</div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-85941066068513713772024-02-03T01:35:00.000-08:002024-02-03T02:23:41.978-08:00Väsjöbacken: night skiing in northern Stockholm<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdvxsOkmIjlHX2Myc6VkuWlYw_OVfZZJXZHR_ERMJS81ceGMh-ZSPLsCEs31aNiS1HLWKRzXIYBYUp2p9hEbKcJ6z2TlZP_2i-Ft52ScOxW8Oqf29WJm6CClUyMSOrQ8kmBWLPO2y6ImdBTFMpARbKM-Z461FtK_TKgwWwpMBO_HrMCkrQG8M4yhBOMGQ/s4032/blog1233_liftslope2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdvxsOkmIjlHX2Myc6VkuWlYw_OVfZZJXZHR_ERMJS81ceGMh-ZSPLsCEs31aNiS1HLWKRzXIYBYUp2p9hEbKcJ6z2TlZP_2i-Ft52ScOxW8Oqf29WJm6CClUyMSOrQ8kmBWLPO2y6ImdBTFMpARbKM-Z461FtK_TKgwWwpMBO_HrMCkrQG8M4yhBOMGQ/w360-h640/blog1233_liftslope2.jpg" width="360" /></a></p><p>The nice work trip turned even nicer with an evening visit to the Vasjöbacken, local ski hill somewhere between Kista and Arlanda. Not bad at all!</p><p>Väsjöbacken is a super active training place for kids wanting to be racers. Nice, reminds of my home town ski hill in this sense. But it is also not a bad ski hill in other ways, it is big enough to have slopes going in multiple directions, the slopes are long enough to get some rhythm in.</p><p>And the views! While I was there in the night, the lake next door was wonderful in the clear weather. </p><p>On site there's a nice cafeteria. Bathrooms are in a separate building at the bottom of the slopes. </p><p>To get to the slopes one has to park quite far (0.5 - 1km away) and walk. Next to the slope there is only official vehicles and a turning place where you can drop people but not park.</p><p>The official home page of the slopes is <a href="https://www.vasjobacken.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>See also my other <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-studio-sauna-again.html" target="_blank">article</a> about the hotel I stayed in, to get to Väsjöbacken I needed a car, and ... well read the article :-) And there's also yet another <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/bromma-lounge.html">article</a> on how I managed with my skis in the Bromma airport...</p><p>Video:</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ai0qgm7noO4?si=lYWHNCa0AxEfU6KO" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p>Photos:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTtyjKvFH14wtjT4eMf6hyphenhyphenGN0yyn_AmZujt0zK2GvNCp6Ev9QppRQTdylbVIg5jGU5uWAe3FcIh7nK10qXCHkLrrXMiTAn0uJQ666lWAQLAT6F1HAVdE4XCSwE6UWvtrVsN_17fMIl451dOQJsUb_R9STkwlvbFU1D0Llwx8Ahx4mHyqT8fLFVyf29kqr/s4032/blog1233_gate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTtyjKvFH14wtjT4eMf6hyphenhyphenGN0yyn_AmZujt0zK2GvNCp6Ev9QppRQTdylbVIg5jGU5uWAe3FcIh7nK10qXCHkLrrXMiTAn0uJQ666lWAQLAT6F1HAVdE4XCSwE6UWvtrVsN_17fMIl451dOQJsUb_R9STkwlvbFU1D0Llwx8Ahx4mHyqT8fLFVyf29kqr/w360-h640/blog1233_gate.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlPLu6_J96E9ajQojIF-7n6iDVx1l54TGMEfY8mWKuCOBBVmfpI2YyWlKMV7dsqfDC9WGp53msSPz2B0KmFrgfJ73jTLfl4TNnXCz7EyB6R8Mv-WRzmC4IiyV7Oe8kL552ScH6HX9AZZC3BNF3jeS5sxBbJDq3qhIXe8XLItnM-vPF4cu_vC8DqPXFR-G/s4032/blog1233_box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlPLu6_J96E9ajQojIF-7n6iDVx1l54TGMEfY8mWKuCOBBVmfpI2YyWlKMV7dsqfDC9WGp53msSPz2B0KmFrgfJ73jTLfl4TNnXCz7EyB6R8Mv-WRzmC4IiyV7Oe8kL552ScH6HX9AZZC3BNF3jeS5sxBbJDq3qhIXe8XLItnM-vPF4cu_vC8DqPXFR-G/w640-h360/blog1233_box.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOyizOJIR_yg6qh6R2RfFxgzijNW5FU-x-cMDMMcgDpYFIYQlKmdGnU6IYQvS86ylhe1oVm3IwvingDdVkKPy2MMSbYVJtRif6q1mhRVqAk75ozSn9RamSybL2PFlNttGtx5rZalYcRZ1I4ucNn30uefixjJHlrK5vmPEeXvsmISCE3JHEO5bx2OaylKT/s4032/blog1233_liftslope1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOyizOJIR_yg6qh6R2RfFxgzijNW5FU-x-cMDMMcgDpYFIYQlKmdGnU6IYQvS86ylhe1oVm3IwvingDdVkKPy2MMSbYVJtRif6q1mhRVqAk75ozSn9RamSybL2PFlNttGtx5rZalYcRZ1I4ucNn30uefixjJHlrK5vmPEeXvsmISCE3JHEO5bx2OaylKT/w640-h360/blog1233_liftslope1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqa8Rs4BlDbd_uhEmicW7ALrv9CKl7LXQHpeWRD7Mt2yZPsOmoZyQWJ2zsxvpKDKQ_FleKgYhtyPM_6DZ2R1IT7TYPxHhDbC9PXLySOEOmT6ElSp0g2pCsPvKy-r2kjKaOL8qHZ6G2I6PA37M9-GOudhatv5jE0RkU8_W_rMZU2dHUf93eaAKvjUHWQLyk/s13038/blog1233_pano.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3848" data-original-width="13038" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqa8Rs4BlDbd_uhEmicW7ALrv9CKl7LXQHpeWRD7Mt2yZPsOmoZyQWJ2zsxvpKDKQ_FleKgYhtyPM_6DZ2R1IT7TYPxHhDbC9PXLySOEOmT6ElSp0g2pCsPvKy-r2kjKaOL8qHZ6G2I6PA37M9-GOudhatv5jE0RkU8_W_rMZU2dHUf93eaAKvjUHWQLyk/w640-h188/blog1233_pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajwK_1FS5txQxJFeSbH1oKeEYNwSBOdvJc5WwrA0xyf8AfReKv81MFjXR30W6Y-3q4JBOXXTpnFrN2moIBKqsDPhyphenhyphenR4G5XeMLOQf__m2wy9WtLFtg064P0a-aFx4d8j3Dcjd5JNrXNPpsT9Jg253KJxhaMPMY5BE4Uj6oiboSLTS1MsYTXa9m2TycnfFT/s4032/blog1233_trainingslope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajwK_1FS5txQxJFeSbH1oKeEYNwSBOdvJc5WwrA0xyf8AfReKv81MFjXR30W6Y-3q4JBOXXTpnFrN2moIBKqsDPhyphenhyphenR4G5XeMLOQf__m2wy9WtLFtg064P0a-aFx4d8j3Dcjd5JNrXNPpsT9Jg253KJxhaMPMY5BE4Uj6oiboSLTS1MsYTXa9m2TycnfFT/w640-h480/blog1233_trainingslope.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeCGGaEylUDnSZXXGlwc-FoC3A7x1hXQ6k84jlG1zTSbcx_Bb3xgFGyDoZQ1ivN2SGInJuxQP8uWIICC_PXZcRrskiUbSbb74LdlQPcmFPF12IVLd7eKFlK3tIzFL-hclnjMcwy5dddmnqfQVKsfJIqHYCNe7j59ikmSu-azsEQiGERKqDYzKFBLyp-st/s4032/blog1233_viewtop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeCGGaEylUDnSZXXGlwc-FoC3A7x1hXQ6k84jlG1zTSbcx_Bb3xgFGyDoZQ1ivN2SGInJuxQP8uWIICC_PXZcRrskiUbSbb74LdlQPcmFPF12IVLd7eKFlK3tIzFL-hclnjMcwy5dddmnqfQVKsfJIqHYCNe7j59ikmSu-azsEQiGERKqDYzKFBLyp-st/w640-h480/blog1233_viewtop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lake:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjLAKiuhy7hgxLb7r0gLbcVs3pAQzB0RSt1WY5dv2-20NV9lYRFiAFZ-ydvgdatopfEYlQiLsmN65vcXP4nIW0F05eNUlNnHL1Tl0wlZXHRuZxMQPWSNNqo_ggo3xqOukt8BuVlDmYGU0vR_SsT6hdOZZ6_4NisS9VnalzqDZlp-tkpvjeLSohlxS92U1/s4032/blog1233_laketractor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjLAKiuhy7hgxLb7r0gLbcVs3pAQzB0RSt1WY5dv2-20NV9lYRFiAFZ-ydvgdatopfEYlQiLsmN65vcXP4nIW0F05eNUlNnHL1Tl0wlZXHRuZxMQPWSNNqo_ggo3xqOukt8BuVlDmYGU0vR_SsT6hdOZZ6_4NisS9VnalzqDZlp-tkpvjeLSohlxS92U1/w640-h360/blog1233_laketractor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Cafeteria:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH-AyEXP8QsWEFqGqHfpWLbHlSdpBHRbIMoqtFGG6QFb0cfz0uCs3oiJz_9Zv_mnnE4cy9jgSASwFSP3GzZVoalEpJYUSxjvnVSXuRg4xvp9hz_RblfrOshf_IhN9lZ7qWgiBIqfdVxjoka__nHh8iEOdCniJRyT3JhGXr3F4kK1B0YjXYPKv3Q-j7Ibr/s4032/blog1233_cafe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH-AyEXP8QsWEFqGqHfpWLbHlSdpBHRbIMoqtFGG6QFb0cfz0uCs3oiJz_9Zv_mnnE4cy9jgSASwFSP3GzZVoalEpJYUSxjvnVSXuRg4xvp9hz_RblfrOshf_IhN9lZ7qWgiBIqfdVxjoka__nHh8iEOdCniJRyT3JhGXr3F4kK1B0YjXYPKv3Q-j7Ibr/w640-h360/blog1233_cafe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwfLuJcDddFiuAbmThUNnonFtvd1wGSWj3Mz_AOTTuZW2xKOKl2ewROhA_AUTpEkRxwzIleyWQ5kds0dcCAkx39XnMsxHORcp0HTf6Ftl2s8N2Yk8ofY71bHPeWUqoyfGlwBIUnFlVUBRIah8LQauaeeCikTJQ9QFCCly606xdekEY8akBtdOdyoOvXou/s4032/blog1233_laddning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwfLuJcDddFiuAbmThUNnonFtvd1wGSWj3Mz_AOTTuZW2xKOKl2ewROhA_AUTpEkRxwzIleyWQ5kds0dcCAkx39XnMsxHORcp0HTf6Ftl2s8N2Yk8ofY71bHPeWUqoyfGlwBIUnFlVUBRIah8LQauaeeCikTJQ9QFCCly606xdekEY8akBtdOdyoOvXou/w480-h640/blog1233_laddning.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko.</p></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-34555086731565702822024-02-03T01:29:00.000-08:002024-02-03T01:50:51.398-08:00The Studio Sauna Again<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22MN7yD0V0mJY3Y53tPS6ZPjv3p-8gS7AbsvGpLiWWP82hq63BpvB1edd8TZXKB4Hk3dpweLn1a-PNBi7mKojUaL7kh69WKeqUlfxH4srbMkTZb-Rkxc2JKbfxoq3CdRVjvJLXwNN_k_45Mu3Nt6fCiGMvx0oQuAZKCVkx1gdLB6jpj78d7eJKyXmiZ6e/s4032/blog1234_button.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22MN7yD0V0mJY3Y53tPS6ZPjv3p-8gS7AbsvGpLiWWP82hq63BpvB1edd8TZXKB4Hk3dpweLn1a-PNBi7mKojUaL7kh69WKeqUlfxH4srbMkTZb-Rkxc2JKbfxoq3CdRVjvJLXwNN_k_45Mu3Nt6fCiGMvx0oQuAZKCVkx1gdLB6jpj78d7eJKyXmiZ6e/w480-h640/blog1234_button.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I've been here <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2019/11/sauna-at-studio-hotel.html" target="_blank">before</a>, but again... The Studio Hotel is a modern but nice hotel in Kista, where I often have to visit for work. The rooms are pretty small, but it is very affordable (61€ per night), has a good breakfast, is walkable but not too near to the offices, has parking, and most importantly, has a good sauna that is open late night.</div><div><br /></div><div>This time I was particularly happy as I was allowed to use their sauna even in the evening after checking out. It took only few minutes to warm up, and had me warmed up after some walks in the cold and windy streets. And fresh and clean for traveling home :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Parking was important for me, see my other article on <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/vasjobacken-night-skiing-in-northern.html" target="_blank">skiing</a> in the neighborhood. For going to the skiing I needed a car.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOtCENiKD1kMduttpyKOtwxUaGYU9z7dkzL9X8lO7I2I5YvZoWxyUYtEuuKYwKx-mPyjvBfVJ3Ch0APs_nU4yJi2W60FuSBIM1ugOCekSv0bUoIsiXwuHNiTWqTQ3HZ6B-AF84OAWcKUC5dY3ZNhyddx_aDkd01IyIDdDh-qlZ8UudiSWd1v__v83Vtiu/s4032/blog1234_sauna.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOtCENiKD1kMduttpyKOtwxUaGYU9z7dkzL9X8lO7I2I5YvZoWxyUYtEuuKYwKx-mPyjvBfVJ3Ch0APs_nU4yJi2W60FuSBIM1ugOCekSv0bUoIsiXwuHNiTWqTQ3HZ6B-AF84OAWcKUC5dY3ZNhyddx_aDkd01IyIDdDh-qlZ8UudiSWd1v__v83Vtiu/w480-h640/blog1234_sauna.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jp89QKnJxJVYywE7yqeOwWsgKTOFIJgF1ZqrFclHzt6dioGpOfZMg8buVutsDtFP5qddjQTgEYxjV_ktNF51P02XiNv3e8nUIA3XOtnDguRiLFViViNrf7sgUdmnekPOp0Kru5jQyWJUnostei8MqoIwM1mn7OFZDtayhNEatXtBJ_gerMk8ivVWoWpb/s4032/blog1234_sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jp89QKnJxJVYywE7yqeOwWsgKTOFIJgF1ZqrFclHzt6dioGpOfZMg8buVutsDtFP5qddjQTgEYxjV_ktNF51P02XiNv3e8nUIA3XOtnDguRiLFViViNrf7sgUdmnekPOp0Kru5jQyWJUnostei8MqoIwM1mn7OFZDtayhNEatXtBJ_gerMk8ivVWoWpb/w360-h640/blog1234_sign.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Walks in Kista:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh08Lc9FRVhl4DWRM4n8WhXn-fJSN33Y_mhOw6k6rRJawBnZbuqSYXKWQetPHnw5c894Hb00AgOW3xmsDXC_3y2T9bbf-gRMCFJBgeeRKPFeSqiyHKpUXORA6HJWRNGjYtWtUcZMqkRmCKoMCcnf-Yv8ozcciqZMnu1vGgxDinRM0piJdVZmKZuz6PD13d/s4032/blog1234_streets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh08Lc9FRVhl4DWRM4n8WhXn-fJSN33Y_mhOw6k6rRJawBnZbuqSYXKWQetPHnw5c894Hb00AgOW3xmsDXC_3y2T9bbf-gRMCFJBgeeRKPFeSqiyHKpUXORA6HJWRNGjYtWtUcZMqkRmCKoMCcnf-Yv8ozcciqZMnu1vGgxDinRM0piJdVZmKZuz6PD13d/w360-h640/blog1234_streets.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Returning the car to the Bromma airport (see another <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/bromma-lounge.html" target="_blank">article</a>):<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWULCE9qABE56BGrUxfmgEmHB4Pu6utAA9_CR2FOO_HYORGGJ2ffdXpae13dS-_rfzOKl8GM6XveWV4sYx6RHhPlIjAze4_r2fHQNC0l4xfrfLtHTSTwWxrNFRiQ0DVp0f2OiDi1obNF19YnovZK-BaL5BTcblVrHwiOCYEsqJwviTNfcAlOrdJlbLMj1/s4032/blog1234_tower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWULCE9qABE56BGrUxfmgEmHB4Pu6utAA9_CR2FOO_HYORGGJ2ffdXpae13dS-_rfzOKl8GM6XveWV4sYx6RHhPlIjAze4_r2fHQNC0l4xfrfLtHTSTwWxrNFRiQ0DVp0f2OiDi1obNF19YnovZK-BaL5BTcblVrHwiOCYEsqJwviTNfcAlOrdJlbLMj1/w480-h640/blog1234_tower.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For more sauna and swimming stories, check out <a href="https://planetswimmer.com">planetswimmer.com</a> and <a href="https://saunablogger.cool">saunablogger.cool</a> websites! Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. I never photograph pools, beaches or saunas unless the facility is closed or empty.</div></div></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-85216863549272350932024-02-03T01:22:00.000-08:002024-02-03T01:22:11.001-08:00Siltamäki suburb swimming hall<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVNjkiQ27EPQde0FcrN4tFP9gSJQVj4tVcV9drjqSUcfBPdnM2bnVSsmT277-hL6LPaGEOwD0nePnrCSLbNGR4JTXrONAn1O_AmLuuzmd4_pB_pfagOG1mkQgDb-XzGyafPEdvM-wF9FWluzoOUWqe-sPwAif_Y1hvxWhyheSVKR-NRwZ2kvtLleNQM_F/s4032/blog1235_corridor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVNjkiQ27EPQde0FcrN4tFP9gSJQVj4tVcV9drjqSUcfBPdnM2bnVSsmT277-hL6LPaGEOwD0nePnrCSLbNGR4JTXrONAn1O_AmLuuzmd4_pB_pfagOG1mkQgDb-XzGyafPEdvM-wF9FWluzoOUWqe-sPwAif_Y1hvxWhyheSVKR-NRwZ2kvtLleNQM_F/w480-h640/blog1235_corridor.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I realized there's more swimming pools in the Helsinki area that I have not visited. Today I visited the Siltamäki swimming pool. a small sports facility in the suburb of Siltamäki in Helsinki. My expectations were not high, and the pool being four lanes, 17m long, and only 80cm deep for half it... it wasn't a super good place for laps in the pool. But, it was a nice visit to a new place! And the sauna was just perfect temperature and design.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, a good place to do a quick visit to the saunas and showers, and some dip in the water. Difficult for longer swimming attempts.</div><div><br /></div><div>The place is altogether small, but you will also not find crowds.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Siltamäki facilities are run by Urheiluhallit, a commercial provider that serves the city. The official page for the facilities is <a href="https://www.urheiluhallit.fi/hallit/siltamaki/" target="_blank">here</a>. There's also a wikipedia <a href="https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siltam%C3%A4en_uimahalli" target="_blank">article</a>, a newspaper <a href="https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000009775659.html" target="_blank">article</a> from their 50th anniversary in 2023, and a <a href="https://www.lily.fi/blogit/fitness-fuhrer/nopsat-vinkit-synttarit-uimahallissa-patkapaasto-mosley-suomeen/" target="_blank">blog article</a> on how the pool can be booked for children's birthday parties or maybe even a bachelor party :-) </div><div><br /></div><div>And in 2020 there was a <a href="https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000006668724.html" target="_blank">chemical accident</a> in the facility (no on hurt, fortunately, no word on whether this was a regular accident or due to a bachelor party...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNvWij76n6TOPfztr1xDONr03dn-2t_UxuDSUAq1kJ2TL_Yhfr6wydWgc0t-XBFa55wqHdk9hpwUDTpcKxiN2RNg3ggW44LtshlCMWBocYjMXTuOYPyfdXQF4KxUTNHK70REPslIsHnwm9H_qwWqwAW_E-0Hqkjr6v72bR-_yZHSgOLA5eJG5H-i9GN8p/s4032/blog1235_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNvWij76n6TOPfztr1xDONr03dn-2t_UxuDSUAq1kJ2TL_Yhfr6wydWgc0t-XBFa55wqHdk9hpwUDTpcKxiN2RNg3ggW44LtshlCMWBocYjMXTuOYPyfdXQF4KxUTNHK70REPslIsHnwm9H_qwWqwAW_E-0Hqkjr6v72bR-_yZHSgOLA5eJG5H-i9GN8p/w400-h300/blog1235_sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQq5BmTKVmuBAYLQ_If_AhYFa-hO8ctPKu2QImLptFVAmNxgU_J2-rWiBaxjLhPuAjVIsUMiXWfDssELG2DkPlq59JoXLhHM-FwQz6BAzTq7qDB0Ayi4DT_XQEkP_8oWFpTVMZxPzGuMAGEDkN_pT7CGY5T7kKQpt4RZzBPho9q4qGUsLNXWXdbCfcklH/s4032/blog1235_door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQq5BmTKVmuBAYLQ_If_AhYFa-hO8ctPKu2QImLptFVAmNxgU_J2-rWiBaxjLhPuAjVIsUMiXWfDssELG2DkPlq59JoXLhHM-FwQz6BAzTq7qDB0Ayi4DT_XQEkP_8oWFpTVMZxPzGuMAGEDkN_pT7CGY5T7kKQpt4RZzBPho9q4qGUsLNXWXdbCfcklH/w640-h480/blog1235_door.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Surrounded by services (pubs etc):<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wYs51tVGt0ehSi-_tZjphYh8HIb3ISBsfmmIhIemb2vtw2mUM4iTwEhSzobFXmPa3cpaYrGZ-I2IBRoBhfysp4O7hr7fwuoFm15JjmrRgOOkQClNO5VMFUFP2kCD9kYEg7crfz05Czgtheejm60J2uWG3wCCwn10Hdo_ykAyd7OVdryEKVyP5YEWVeNU/s4032/blog1235_pub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wYs51tVGt0ehSi-_tZjphYh8HIb3ISBsfmmIhIemb2vtw2mUM4iTwEhSzobFXmPa3cpaYrGZ-I2IBRoBhfysp4O7hr7fwuoFm15JjmrRgOOkQClNO5VMFUFP2kCD9kYEg7crfz05Czgtheejm60J2uWG3wCCwn10Hdo_ykAyd7OVdryEKVyP5YEWVeNU/w640-h360/blog1235_pub.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For more sauna and swimming stories, check out <a href="https://planetswimmer.com">planetswimmer.com</a> and <a href="https://saunablogger.cool">saunablogger.cool</a> websites! Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. I never photograph pools, beaches or saunas unless the facility is closed or empty.</div></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-91186887786986191602024-02-03T01:14:00.000-08:002024-02-03T01:51:10.325-08:00Bromma lounge<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDo1LlxnYcJ4PyJwxVeS8GwI-UMpaRVCueeJrXyuFM5h4S5P_3JSA3xqpcqfV7QSLvl7NqKAgQJYDA882Rw40UyUX9mPH-_K2U5vwRPE1yGDhEa9YubkazxG7mpJxHM_pRLuI-frldPf2s7GjgipdiStQwh_647rBmoP9Bfks9IdXWck05S7ooeZ569vAa/s4032/blog1236_tower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDo1LlxnYcJ4PyJwxVeS8GwI-UMpaRVCueeJrXyuFM5h4S5P_3JSA3xqpcqfV7QSLvl7NqKAgQJYDA882Rw40UyUX9mPH-_K2U5vwRPE1yGDhEa9YubkazxG7mpJxHM_pRLuI-frldPf2s7GjgipdiStQwh_647rBmoP9Bfks9IdXWck05S7ooeZ569vAa/w480-h640/blog1236_tower.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I travel less than I used to. Good for me, good for the environment. However, sometimes I get to travel, and it is to see new places, go skiing, or work with your colleagues. After a long pause I visited Sweden for work, and on return flew through my local airport, Bromma.</div><div><br /></div><div>The airport has been renewed recently, so now there's a lounge inside the secure area, the BRA VIP Lounge. I was there close to the closing time, and actually it was kind of an off day for the airport since most flights to southern Sweden were cancelled due to high winds. But Finland was still OK :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>The lounge is small, but has some sandwiches, juice, coffee, has bathrooms and WiFi. They could have more power plugs though. Only few of the tables had them, and not the ones where it was comfortable to sit :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>On the way in I had plenty of luggage (due to the skiing <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/vasjobacken-night-skiing-in-northern.html" target="_blank">adventure</a> during one of my evenings). And the checkin was not open yet. I ended up sitting in the empty airport, in the empty restaurant, enjoying a meal of Swedish meatballs :-) Fortunately I had a my friend, the Skibag with me sitting in the table. The conversations we had!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMJsSQuw6Z8spbF5pXp_7lbd4zq5VTzxf50ZjppP-cZ3s_a_nHI16IRSis_2hSyp_kSMWtOtWhyphenhyphenn0Xwy0-I748aIpox_jQKXBlyZN6MXpVav3wO8u1FssUPVS55JzcRdFyJFJsLSJpW5ZupOcA-ZDfoFGMKXZDki4ZU6DDV6gK_ZESDkqh9BTTQ7GYeGG/s4032/blog1236_woff.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMJsSQuw6Z8spbF5pXp_7lbd4zq5VTzxf50ZjppP-cZ3s_a_nHI16IRSis_2hSyp_kSMWtOtWhyphenhyphenn0Xwy0-I748aIpox_jQKXBlyZN6MXpVav3wO8u1FssUPVS55JzcRdFyJFJsLSJpW5ZupOcA-ZDfoFGMKXZDki4ZU6DDV6gK_ZESDkqh9BTTQ7GYeGG/w480-h640/blog1236_woff.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB5YihbrFSxxV7jHNVvJW2Tb6js4e6xrfr6Uw8O1co8Z3cADT0-2o9QMyTKhC0f2Us6oz2quR3VpipGI0Dz9Hff6MaIUxlNvZ9Fy2dk5JHt3OeN1eu2sula6U6HycW9KRnltlHuSEymLVnDe3KJk0nJwnEZm-fl_NVBUqp3udEMjtzJMlUh1o6PDaaNJj/s4032/blog1236_mrskibag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB5YihbrFSxxV7jHNVvJW2Tb6js4e6xrfr6Uw8O1co8Z3cADT0-2o9QMyTKhC0f2Us6oz2quR3VpipGI0Dz9Hff6MaIUxlNvZ9Fy2dk5JHt3OeN1eu2sula6U6HycW9KRnltlHuSEymLVnDe3KJk0nJwnEZm-fl_NVBUqp3udEMjtzJMlUh1o6PDaaNJj/w640-h480/blog1236_mrskibag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHaIfwpnhnLsFLn7Suj8r5kL9dOF1YvOm3rWV7zBoGukeJppLL1QrRv5ipNKj4MbE6i2_tBHr1jsIdi13Uuos4DwKh3MkPuyUZ4FIs6jqWqe3O5svCjvry2bN48FqcNP3suMjVYJnuS9j2TZYRdMPO_m30e0yz9UNFTTsQVxn9BcCAYy3dmj7-d93Ffvf/s4032/blog1236_empty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHaIfwpnhnLsFLn7Suj8r5kL9dOF1YvOm3rWV7zBoGukeJppLL1QrRv5ipNKj4MbE6i2_tBHr1jsIdi13Uuos4DwKh3MkPuyUZ4FIs6jqWqe3O5svCjvry2bN48FqcNP3suMjVYJnuS9j2TZYRdMPO_m30e0yz9UNFTTsQVxn9BcCAYy3dmj7-d93Ffvf/w640-h360/blog1236_empty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE7ZYqc-d42M0X88OxiUu4cxVnmDa_18l-iP081Qn7fCTTdkHrIzwFevjVxPT_5emhUhNo4Q0_fcH-TbeDectBEm8UO4XH1BqpKYNbMlmsy-PgQvqijaRww1NHVvhmY66sucwRq8qP3VjgG8Q6vLYjATg8DeqeE7FkyWr6zcupQkbQTClW2oCW76thYvh/s4032/blog1236_loungesign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE7ZYqc-d42M0X88OxiUu4cxVnmDa_18l-iP081Qn7fCTTdkHrIzwFevjVxPT_5emhUhNo4Q0_fcH-TbeDectBEm8UO4XH1BqpKYNbMlmsy-PgQvqijaRww1NHVvhmY66sucwRq8qP3VjgG8Q6vLYjATg8DeqeE7FkyWr6zcupQkbQTClW2oCW76thYvh/w640-h360/blog1236_loungesign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9fejIHGbQQTgTZPJh2G0v6DM_abX6pmj0FC-yqCCjW7A6rPAkmK-3t-pGFGBriMqU4_vSb-c3CwoSB4blEYM__92clfxdFdVp5XrlZbJWcvA7XkDuKeu9QQkHxWDdUB-reicaG2vQEkFQBiqvRxkxrCcrdLBzwIedelNgzpxMLwlpfkk3ntBA2sLCKSZ/s4032/blog1236_ay.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9fejIHGbQQTgTZPJh2G0v6DM_abX6pmj0FC-yqCCjW7A6rPAkmK-3t-pGFGBriMqU4_vSb-c3CwoSB4blEYM__92clfxdFdVp5XrlZbJWcvA7XkDuKeu9QQkHxWDdUB-reicaG2vQEkFQBiqvRxkxrCcrdLBzwIedelNgzpxMLwlpfkk3ntBA2sLCKSZ/w640-h360/blog1236_ay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWoo2MbKxQj0ezTNlgxcZAUcnDTerYrgo5WZ55qG8PD2jJi1Kkf5mk07QyMmbj0foJIsOjCRGSGTdPbvDJwASnRz-MjSxnE4Rim8iT4Ppbqq3yMzu1iDsMQbQwk69QKDKAVdKUj1iapvhX3Gw0bR3vugX40ZR9tYTPY_IEAuzlyEmN09Oz9ZwW3qA6Tte/s4032/blog1236_window.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWoo2MbKxQj0ezTNlgxcZAUcnDTerYrgo5WZ55qG8PD2jJi1Kkf5mk07QyMmbj0foJIsOjCRGSGTdPbvDJwASnRz-MjSxnE4Rim8iT4Ppbqq3yMzu1iDsMQbQwk69QKDKAVdKUj1iapvhX3Gw0bR3vugX40ZR9tYTPY_IEAuzlyEmN09Oz9ZwW3qA6Tte/w480-h640/blog1236_window.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For more flying stories, check out the <a href="http://planetflier.com" target="_blank">planetflier.com</a> website! And of course the <a href="https://planetcaver.net" target="_blank">Planetcaver</a>, and <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">Planetskier</a> blogs for other stories in <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> and <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>! The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved.</div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-82983386194552218082024-02-03T01:11:00.000-08:002024-02-03T01:51:25.536-08:00Frozen car and key<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2driUazgylyy7534yuIGvW99NK26IIbavfhJg5ndPDyC7fcVDwkXpnx1ZtysYj2d6Ztvlmn12PIuHevTneys1tBjSwGEwc9_Mb8eKHKhXacercBaoITAcRrlTg7-d-7FSr-tUgdvGxBZS3jQJL93PZMlON8kCBwlG9tCeAQIqPiZCw9_ph-N-g0MAw7q/s4032/blog1237_key.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2driUazgylyy7534yuIGvW99NK26IIbavfhJg5ndPDyC7fcVDwkXpnx1ZtysYj2d6Ztvlmn12PIuHevTneys1tBjSwGEwc9_Mb8eKHKhXacercBaoITAcRrlTg7-d-7FSr-tUgdvGxBZS3jQJL93PZMlON8kCBwlG9tCeAQIqPiZCw9_ph-N-g0MAw7q/w400-h225/blog1237_key.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Sigh, car frozen after few days at the outdoor (cheap) parking place in the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. </p><p>Oh well, it did open after five minutes of trying. And did so even before breaking the key :-)</p><p>(I was coming back from a work trip I Sweden, where I also managed to <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/vasjobacken-night-skiing-in-northern.html" target="_blank">ski</a> a bit and visit the <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-studio-sauna-again.html" target="_blank">sauna</a>...)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUsfxAaaLxpJGhZCsCyF58b7AI6ve50UV1goHdLbKwfHCyz-sU_Q2LiVLvemBg-nXxD0pk9MMuWl_A5tscm03DdcweehFbZI9yizp3i5sY_qpioDZTFm0KFcYPvYbem7IUMPc6Di0CiwRt0eFXmo_sRJgMO6FsQwt8wjD5hfX11sEkkHlkOl5pBSpG4zi/s4032/blog1237_frozen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUsfxAaaLxpJGhZCsCyF58b7AI6ve50UV1goHdLbKwfHCyz-sU_Q2LiVLvemBg-nXxD0pk9MMuWl_A5tscm03DdcweehFbZI9yizp3i5sY_qpioDZTFm0KFcYPvYbem7IUMPc6Di0CiwRt0eFXmo_sRJgMO6FsQwt8wjD5hfX11sEkkHlkOl5pBSpG4zi/w400-h225/blog1237_frozen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>More car stories in the Planetskier blog series at <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com">Blogspot</a>. The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-88928576137207573402024-01-21T01:55:00.000-08:002024-01-21T01:55:11.272-08:00Lago di Como tower ruins<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUMTJDCHXUWFVtmNIGZj3pQzYfjNpAY24pwHPIlHmlTSb5RoQCFevdWr-QIxnYYWIMx0sPGsO_5BwVejpVlQ94E8O4DLqwVGgiOwzVkCOHXbk9xOnWhHA2OFV-p-IpxJSW51E0t8SeVXWTCr7LTJlqebUASSNQMszPG20ZRFhLc5gIyFnWkLfriUQuaPr/s4032/blog1223_tower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUMTJDCHXUWFVtmNIGZj3pQzYfjNpAY24pwHPIlHmlTSb5RoQCFevdWr-QIxnYYWIMx0sPGsO_5BwVejpVlQ94E8O4DLqwVGgiOwzVkCOHXbk9xOnWhHA2OFV-p-IpxJSW51E0t8SeVXWTCr7LTJlqebUASSNQMszPG20ZRFhLc5gIyFnWkLfriUQuaPr/w480-h640/blog1223_tower1.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castello_Baradello">Castello Baradello</a> is a fortress on a nice hill above present day Como, with great views of the city and the lake. Fortresses on this site date back to the 6th century, although the current fortress was rebuilt in the 13th century. This is also the site of the original settlement in Como.</p><p>Today only the tower remains, much of the rest has been destroyed in the 16th century in fear of it falling in the hands of the enemy.</p><p>The coordinates for the tower are . It can be visited during opening hours, but even when it is not open one can walk up the hill and tour the top of the hill and around the castle, essentially only missing the insides of the tower. Much recommended!</p><p>At the top there's a picnic area, an old water cistern-pond, a small tower, the main castle ruins with the still standing tower, and stretches of old castle walls.</p><p>The coordinates for the tower are <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/RihD3BveBtE44oqf7" target="_blank">N 45.794127 E 9.086032</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo6ZEoFkLDnzlJfh6SBAjBAP64W1q-50kDYbpmGmqEITH5359ZD5M20-DZyNmRDeXWcfk2G6OcLO9qGMayV-tLOecZQbu2NTmY-CI7wDgr8uo6_QBpMG68_gZOxmsFQ0svXLcO_QsODWvWN_-WaTFibX-iDfKBoVZNiwFYaLnmDszFakPpivdSL4GEwwy/s4032/blog1223_path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo6ZEoFkLDnzlJfh6SBAjBAP64W1q-50kDYbpmGmqEITH5359ZD5M20-DZyNmRDeXWcfk2G6OcLO9qGMayV-tLOecZQbu2NTmY-CI7wDgr8uo6_QBpMG68_gZOxmsFQ0svXLcO_QsODWvWN_-WaTFibX-iDfKBoVZNiwFYaLnmDszFakPpivdSL4GEwwy/w360-h640/blog1223_path.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFWhzCKwDTKKh6B525WJphbG7vomKRT5rHr6jM_ifm6C_ZGAPC3q0WhVZYP0CGgR_4YEzDWxjDbRtWEDirGNLpwpWKgYbSLQy6KqOCakoTvtMZDSnUtzLNx3N_zFZAr5-CN7ghFBZOq1wCVvKJVYKutWWnCG9FLjW6TV06eTtOWON2KnXoU4EtfBWaVzU/s4032/blog1223_cistern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFWhzCKwDTKKh6B525WJphbG7vomKRT5rHr6jM_ifm6C_ZGAPC3q0WhVZYP0CGgR_4YEzDWxjDbRtWEDirGNLpwpWKgYbSLQy6KqOCakoTvtMZDSnUtzLNx3N_zFZAr5-CN7ghFBZOq1wCVvKJVYKutWWnCG9FLjW6TV06eTtOWON2KnXoU4EtfBWaVzU/w640-h360/blog1223_cistern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYM0wIe_PtmbHFB2lx1LYdRAyx477KKlwBS_xDO3eW7iDn1oRE1YPpFOf6-4KnPtJrCyi-8vvGwa0OLfdRV7YTa3HsGPfaSVUsq2ymTCiPcG7glbuGxF5GrEg9KPHRfuW9qdAVcHvlGAaD_PSoxOu1Gc6sNEzNfiJY_zJvXCxJQ6sOFrzCLxsDOPYuVc2/s4032/blog1223_other.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYM0wIe_PtmbHFB2lx1LYdRAyx477KKlwBS_xDO3eW7iDn1oRE1YPpFOf6-4KnPtJrCyi-8vvGwa0OLfdRV7YTa3HsGPfaSVUsq2ymTCiPcG7glbuGxF5GrEg9KPHRfuW9qdAVcHvlGAaD_PSoxOu1Gc6sNEzNfiJY_zJvXCxJQ6sOFrzCLxsDOPYuVc2/w640-h360/blog1223_other.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflGlQHm0Pez347SLBsoOPUCjjXBV538G6Mh3LH6jmxydxxJyt3HGKITiqxgwJt48Dpq7jcI4G49xTbFqTffqEnOeucoBQ6wlGbakhk907i2c_4rvftytUgkGgJGbmVM3xtSbQWgqJQ9xdI4FyfGBYjpS95nsYF3BOJviDeC5pLe9NkohYgdpuhAAiiFV2/s4032/blog1223_sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflGlQHm0Pez347SLBsoOPUCjjXBV538G6Mh3LH6jmxydxxJyt3HGKITiqxgwJt48Dpq7jcI4G49xTbFqTffqEnOeucoBQ6wlGbakhk907i2c_4rvftytUgkGgJGbmVM3xtSbQWgqJQ9xdI4FyfGBYjpS95nsYF3BOJviDeC5pLe9NkohYgdpuhAAiiFV2/w480-h640/blog1223_sign.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtWhR9Be6q5-MxFo6fG1UiD19JIIag0mWxq2EJ9uPmGux3amzZrKL1-RopyJ9tQaKdYa4Cap9moY8UeuPQSc2pD0B2BxvMPiYbgMqzPeO79ZIStygX93UduopbLXpIqWhWHVPcFip8GAiOzo6SlX6uV-lqhedPMIFga5azFYebL2UDBvS7xqn2RzBU8Kg/s4032/blog1223_tower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtWhR9Be6q5-MxFo6fG1UiD19JIIag0mWxq2EJ9uPmGux3amzZrKL1-RopyJ9tQaKdYa4Cap9moY8UeuPQSc2pD0B2BxvMPiYbgMqzPeO79ZIStygX93UduopbLXpIqWhWHVPcFip8GAiOzo6SlX6uV-lqhedPMIFga5azFYebL2UDBvS7xqn2RzBU8Kg/s320/blog1223_tower2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QndM4MSwY6kGr1PM3jy2DRlOGxSaIjVQLAoCAtK2pGuFiAKzV-0Qv7X-IPGbvqwFFEY_BpuEl_EM3HBgRgb6bveXH-a1Nk26huVaHCaUrQmEkxrtVRkGXInpdz_Q7Qp7hyZDSQMTJ1Oh6qQD54Qn-LKWVK6rF0CwyRhMb-LPxzKl03hehO0ExzbtbVvz/s4032/blog1223_tower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QndM4MSwY6kGr1PM3jy2DRlOGxSaIjVQLAoCAtK2pGuFiAKzV-0Qv7X-IPGbvqwFFEY_BpuEl_EM3HBgRgb6bveXH-a1Nk26huVaHCaUrQmEkxrtVRkGXInpdz_Q7Qp7hyZDSQMTJ1Oh6qQD54Qn-LKWVK6rF0CwyRhMb-LPxzKl03hehO0ExzbtbVvz/w480-h640/blog1223_tower3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Views over Como and Lago di Como:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIff9gKvMtdcasCjuK8XIuO1zONDZwQb1aDZ6xytX76FqTqBkatY7zaFAJJ2VrOECoFiNBO_dshHd8OHPKX3uI9TX5pgeN333UptjZ5HdO2RJwlVvcJpuFhUytk-M6X1AxlNKlcPg2NJJUvAfRaS_tHLO89Uujl5m2BKPu8ZGRsHlddQWoUvgjJlGqEROU/s4032/blog1223_view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIff9gKvMtdcasCjuK8XIuO1zONDZwQb1aDZ6xytX76FqTqBkatY7zaFAJJ2VrOECoFiNBO_dshHd8OHPKX3uI9TX5pgeN333UptjZ5HdO2RJwlVvcJpuFhUytk-M6X1AxlNKlcPg2NJJUvAfRaS_tHLO89Uujl5m2BKPu8ZGRsHlddQWoUvgjJlGqEROU/w640-h480/blog1223_view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. </p></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-41468766801008036502024-01-21T01:50:00.000-08:002024-01-21T01:50:03.560-08:00Tower of Velate<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JlSBXn2QTT0uUDuerjdU-jxbDL9JV0nsFBb9ITTBAvEKQXT4gaQ7tWK95nGvIwuRJ2q3iDYe-BXuL_1vDsvxT9rLNtKRLRSdk7nWJS0bxM4ZPZ-2t3MolVPTJRIzfX1jfVwvUfu2HIhvfrynH57ywzBosaM8OltQ1hc9C3CYrBbj9oUviaYhD3EjUzCN/s4032/blog1232_towertrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JlSBXn2QTT0uUDuerjdU-jxbDL9JV0nsFBb9ITTBAvEKQXT4gaQ7tWK95nGvIwuRJ2q3iDYe-BXuL_1vDsvxT9rLNtKRLRSdk7nWJS0bxM4ZPZ-2t3MolVPTJRIzfX1jfVwvUfu2HIhvfrynH57ywzBosaM8OltQ1hc9C3CYrBbj9oUviaYhD3EjUzCN/w480-h640/blog1232_towertrees.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://fondoambiente.it/torre-di-velate-eng/" target="_blank">Velate tower</a> is in town of Varese northwest of Milan. It is in ruins, only two sides of the tower remain.</div><div><br /></div><div>But it is an interesting sight!</div><div><br /></div><div>The coordinates of the tower are <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/mDUFmcANSW5QubEo9" target="_blank">N 45.840353 E 8.792560</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0a5SOjmAD84kuELXK8hcxG_O0GAoCqDm67D1jMlUKW6z17Ghq-sWD4LpdITu9r1KiLhu7Sb5fxP-5zQoQU4uUfuxFATFuw-s-VB4QRtc8kUaCXDC27AtqwyY35AatRY82v70GNML0DR-7s5ysUWJpNFco4kKGTCxYf_DzRiF9ZJU8DAo71ySOy6zKs9c/s4032/blog1232_tower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0a5SOjmAD84kuELXK8hcxG_O0GAoCqDm67D1jMlUKW6z17Ghq-sWD4LpdITu9r1KiLhu7Sb5fxP-5zQoQU4uUfuxFATFuw-s-VB4QRtc8kUaCXDC27AtqwyY35AatRY82v70GNML0DR-7s5ysUWJpNFco4kKGTCxYf_DzRiF9ZJU8DAo71ySOy6zKs9c/w480-h640/blog1232_tower1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6fw0JYZbGEeyf3QuEojGp7hI_tItVxlhlkYM0TyB3ReHpYKSgevtaN7bQV-2jgxnuPUnHgaL09_42W7v1wpqx-Q5nMZexBuDnEGFbh3RSpfpL3WaJWsA88E7aH7qjHt56SuUJSgElkHX3rnwDfR_3UwQXusz9RkrLmnxerMLh5coK9SSAg744HDik3d9/s4032/blog1232_roadsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6fw0JYZbGEeyf3QuEojGp7hI_tItVxlhlkYM0TyB3ReHpYKSgevtaN7bQV-2jgxnuPUnHgaL09_42W7v1wpqx-Q5nMZexBuDnEGFbh3RSpfpL3WaJWsA88E7aH7qjHt56SuUJSgElkHX3rnwDfR_3UwQXusz9RkrLmnxerMLh5coK9SSAg744HDik3d9/w640-h480/blog1232_roadsign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSjx2pGK3vBXbFtQsNyAVz2TFO_K1uH_8PsvSq2A61T4yyAahSyXpUbDDe3_6IBQcOdNk2xHKlxEi3nyaDS_x-Vajh-0iFZHsjJwxYXhLwWggidwOyRyIL-vbGHpDqjKuwO0RvMH5aD-FJ08TaTUu0Qurqbw8WvL5IAYYB2NllmmZMKBrG45r9Bjp9NB8/s4032/blog1232_tower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSjx2pGK3vBXbFtQsNyAVz2TFO_K1uH_8PsvSq2A61T4yyAahSyXpUbDDe3_6IBQcOdNk2xHKlxEi3nyaDS_x-Vajh-0iFZHsjJwxYXhLwWggidwOyRyIL-vbGHpDqjKuwO0RvMH5aD-FJ08TaTUu0Qurqbw8WvL5IAYYB2NllmmZMKBrG45r9Bjp9NB8/w480-h640/blog1232_tower2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. </div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-7948898229819689122024-01-20T09:53:00.000-08:002024-01-20T09:56:21.205-08:00Grani hill 90 years!<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju983gPdHoe43JHRH4a4CtSDvwqudPj7HrpLM8vNP0dkb6BKhKowskIRUY79-XywBracfvFlAnzmVF86vQu3_fKDjHfYQR0Hr1WtrxaqisK2jeqrLDkYybdvigH6ItQxGhXxMO7ND0f2un8oWR8E9pV58Pskt_oSaI31dZnv1yCl2hmVl4RjUsfM3FXffn/s4032/blog1231_est.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju983gPdHoe43JHRH4a4CtSDvwqudPj7HrpLM8vNP0dkb6BKhKowskIRUY79-XywBracfvFlAnzmVF86vQu3_fKDjHfYQR0Hr1WtrxaqisK2jeqrLDkYybdvigH6ItQxGhXxMO7ND0f2un8oWR8E9pV58Pskt_oSaI31dZnv1yCl2hmVl4RjUsfM3FXffn/w400-h225/blog1231_est.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>My local ski hill in Kauniainen turned 90 today. This little hill got the first ski lift in Finland in 1934. Congratulations!</p><p>Today the ski club on the hill, <a href="https://grifkalpine.fi" target="_blank">GrIFK Alpine</a>, hosts an extensive training program from beginners to racers. This winter their program is training 40 people for instructors, and 500 small kids to ski. In addition, the club has produced Finland's more racers than any other club in Finland. The typically have several World Cup ski racers.</p><p>The hill is close enough for me to walk to it. I often start and end my season there, skiing when the first snow falls and when the last patch of snow melts in late May or June :-)</p><p>Video:</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LXO7pDNQVMo?si=eOxveMj9hKpHtBr4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p>Photos:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuVQXiCg5dOFW2q_HEnqGTtxDcvqrp8BgP-8t6nxirJouEErSnoWLtikAMbVoWLV-V-A7p_7vOf5XiHneh654dfXIDo7QNxZi1xuILxibdEtutjfoItxGyT1b5gldja_ZBfRuh9Xj29V4Dhm0wMTiLz0rc_M9mDkQDf2Czf9SsYWtVHtW52Jen6Fn9lRA/s4006/blog1231_balloons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4006" data-original-width="2817" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuVQXiCg5dOFW2q_HEnqGTtxDcvqrp8BgP-8t6nxirJouEErSnoWLtikAMbVoWLV-V-A7p_7vOf5XiHneh654dfXIDo7QNxZi1xuILxibdEtutjfoItxGyT1b5gldja_ZBfRuh9Xj29V4Dhm0wMTiLz0rc_M9mDkQDf2Czf9SsYWtVHtW52Jen6Fn9lRA/w450-h640/blog1231_balloons.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2Xol3dUk6P-Y0Zp4yGlbBDB7fwSwFaFZnZdfHD6p4hKyUPzmskxd6qAX_6la6RTxUX3wjG1k6M0sm28SV1tMwu26_dzpurRZWn-S1F4_O1snU_X4hyphenhyphenJE7E3fp0ywMVss2LObBJwuLDW0P2HhRiP5kHvzxnwzaBMeC-8MC8YbbZmBY6gyZSzVGt_SMmEw/s2079/blog1231_ski.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="2079" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2Xol3dUk6P-Y0Zp4yGlbBDB7fwSwFaFZnZdfHD6p4hKyUPzmskxd6qAX_6la6RTxUX3wjG1k6M0sm28SV1tMwu26_dzpurRZWn-S1F4_O1snU_X4hyphenhyphenJE7E3fp0ywMVss2LObBJwuLDW0P2HhRiP5kHvzxnwzaBMeC-8MC8YbbZmBY6gyZSzVGt_SMmEw/w640-h360/blog1231_ski.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5-35822jBUoAQ61yO_7DRQj19vI1xRbScmrlg1kKvdYF0LFBQ69p1MfrUimyJasKQzqmetnj0sFvSFvCxp906xSuHJp27DIVVzs-dwUGps6s_K9AXZPB8bwU1n28604H4pxx_GhmmyN9KMyCcp3tQL8bB_w1twx5tkDhaXV_Y4Dg3gy-NiH9jrjtZMIX/s4032/blog1231_dog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5-35822jBUoAQ61yO_7DRQj19vI1xRbScmrlg1kKvdYF0LFBQ69p1MfrUimyJasKQzqmetnj0sFvSFvCxp906xSuHJp27DIVVzs-dwUGps6s_K9AXZPB8bwU1n28604H4pxx_GhmmyN9KMyCcp3tQL8bB_w1twx5tkDhaXV_Y4Dg3gy-NiH9jrjtZMIX/w480-h640/blog1231_dog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR-otsIje6Uc9E7gw5CJk__ymu-2cHmaIn-SWa9BORFvu6PzA_-vSJAkEXiPh3GrMG9BqUWrzoEomaUI_8dmxITdcvPvp-WR5DeaiWkQg-EuzfUttBHrKET5ks1L0k3NX_oFz9RslXD_WRd-3aJVaSGp-AmA5_G0tVztLfeIJyXX9M3hPiRygYzdJNGLE/s3088/blog1231_face.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="1737" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR-otsIje6Uc9E7gw5CJk__ymu-2cHmaIn-SWa9BORFvu6PzA_-vSJAkEXiPh3GrMG9BqUWrzoEomaUI_8dmxITdcvPvp-WR5DeaiWkQg-EuzfUttBHrKET5ks1L0k3NX_oFz9RslXD_WRd-3aJVaSGp-AmA5_G0tVztLfeIJyXX9M3hPiRygYzdJNGLE/w360-h640/blog1231_face.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuWekclWa_KvA0tWtP7mjFM8xNa6Opke8UL74a_GrIiSGXlcWA-G1d6wQbDEASZsaTSOh8TKPnGI4eBSx2rlga4yOrzdNxwir5BudkLfAkClId6Q6vnQ7WqCYXfOYY3SkVtoVyHuzwPLAwvG8pV41Ck7BtO6mnssgKURYA2JPFZVdTZEU2pbHk39On9do/s3480/blog1231_gate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3480" data-original-width="2923" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuWekclWa_KvA0tWtP7mjFM8xNa6Opke8UL74a_GrIiSGXlcWA-G1d6wQbDEASZsaTSOh8TKPnGI4eBSx2rlga4yOrzdNxwir5BudkLfAkClId6Q6vnQ7WqCYXfOYY3SkVtoVyHuzwPLAwvG8pV41Ck7BtO6mnssgKURYA2JPFZVdTZEU2pbHk39On9do/w538-h640/blog1231_gate.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbeXenYF3RkFHuqPA-EP_gfM10biTBTYGsugyDbht3KiLc-sqO_yJSjk1wdm4-q8tgM-GadOk9TKZC2zuX23_0IksL_URnJyqt4xXRQWygVWFUzOVmXN_OCradkWMBbldY3tPBRhq6KlK0osKrV7TkuzM9F0rWi7X6XYjUqBKRo7ll1xtf2B-DD_wTRLv/s4032/blog1231_huts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbeXenYF3RkFHuqPA-EP_gfM10biTBTYGsugyDbht3KiLc-sqO_yJSjk1wdm4-q8tgM-GadOk9TKZC2zuX23_0IksL_URnJyqt4xXRQWygVWFUzOVmXN_OCradkWMBbldY3tPBRhq6KlK0osKrV7TkuzM9F0rWi7X6XYjUqBKRo7ll1xtf2B-DD_wTRLv/w640-h360/blog1231_huts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPJyrHf43s4XMLsxOByrT25rcR8QfgqHvkRgTLEwmaqvYHw4hNQybCRZSs8Jh23duPeopHK4g5J6YNiNUUNl70wytJRDMizid17kz1OiiYwRsJhtY0aYHW1j_5zl9QhHYrNrdV5ftyYryFBlBTe8lgYwwb-E2rWyMqGDm4kS10ZzUbol0ScuCOY88SSXs/s4032/blog1231_racer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPJyrHf43s4XMLsxOByrT25rcR8QfgqHvkRgTLEwmaqvYHw4hNQybCRZSs8Jh23duPeopHK4g5J6YNiNUUNl70wytJRDMizid17kz1OiiYwRsJhtY0aYHW1j_5zl9QhHYrNrdV5ftyYryFBlBTe8lgYwwb-E2rWyMqGDm4kS10ZzUbol0ScuCOY88SSXs/w480-h640/blog1231_racer.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X4ydYYJ9S7BG-MSLpeXAVRzBlEee9UO-RooFnzHBVXVs5q_FHdAYovJrpymA53IKIVanE23kK3XQ1pMOn433VSnN0MUE-HHYoESstsSrROlqkV_s0rSVa7TAhxCdc6s5lorOC-q-FjHfcqf5aSoMZzW0zf5bAe2P5DbcPQQo67f9zHgt3JCqRZZpy6hu/s4032/blog1231_sun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X4ydYYJ9S7BG-MSLpeXAVRzBlEee9UO-RooFnzHBVXVs5q_FHdAYovJrpymA53IKIVanE23kK3XQ1pMOn433VSnN0MUE-HHYoESstsSrROlqkV_s0rSVa7TAhxCdc6s5lorOC-q-FjHfcqf5aSoMZzW0zf5bAe2P5DbcPQQo67f9zHgt3JCqRZZpy6hu/w640-h360/blog1231_sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-41434724195911897382024-01-18T23:28:00.000-08:002024-01-18T23:28:58.677-08:00Enough is enough?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWtoEDXcz9BjIFH4sys31LnC7IsL90-1xp1rGYxG62jOsFL9acOH2exY2pgoZ8xTGLI2hpZpG4WfNLirq_5HLKJ9kmcZTzrYJ6yDbI1hiAeGpX_ejcZhYfiOTip0S3P1Yo05vR_TbpPN_cGQ0vx4wJHwSTBVYBTghDRcIBf_9XVIZ6oVL5dyD2d38qAZL/s4032/blog1228_yeah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWtoEDXcz9BjIFH4sys31LnC7IsL90-1xp1rGYxG62jOsFL9acOH2exY2pgoZ8xTGLI2hpZpG4WfNLirq_5HLKJ9kmcZTzrYJ6yDbI1hiAeGpX_ejcZhYfiOTip0S3P1Yo05vR_TbpPN_cGQ0vx4wJHwSTBVYBTghDRcIBf_9XVIZ6oVL5dyD2d38qAZL/w480-h640/blog1228_yeah.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Is this enough car window cleaning?</div><div><br /></div><div>More car stories in the Planetskier blog series at <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com">Blogspot</a>. The photos and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko.</div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-5897947036338509832024-01-18T23:15:00.000-08:002024-01-18T23:15:58.901-08:00Today's road conditions<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3xxwRDqIt38BjO1EgvhyV3GhyphenhyphenK5LOk05iXfCu-nZb0JOASONeNez0bQyBPA-QZ6F3DNJ_j2GKvgCtWcDmGMZ9V_zo7lXj2Mk68E6voBiW2PfMri56zRDzlyz0mxgnaGbEJH01x1bric0saqENfpCYCXCrLOPhkjgMF1Ron_vdFFl9lrgv4dUAVnNTvxt/s4032/blog1230_view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3xxwRDqIt38BjO1EgvhyV3GhyphenhyphenK5LOk05iXfCu-nZb0JOASONeNez0bQyBPA-QZ6F3DNJ_j2GKvgCtWcDmGMZ9V_zo7lXj2Mk68E6voBiW2PfMri56zRDzlyz0mxgnaGbEJH01x1bric0saqENfpCYCXCrLOPhkjgMF1Ron_vdFFl9lrgv4dUAVnNTvxt/w640-h480/blog1230_view.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Today’s road conditions. Count the cars ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div></div><div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div></div><div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div></div><div><div>.</div><div>.</div><div>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Two:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0z6rCmA3ElcwiJinbiVA521HORgB7nNpvDG1neVhQyzXvyz7sWL-XkrqxfJy5kWMM4alQvJEUBXTOYHNO2JItpC_jNF4msizZcAoMOyJZVSCtAi4pIrKAZTP_ReydayFPcIj11ZlT3RbuqATSFxEosmhVGSRYP3x5t0_3sXou1EeLqqErNUliMboKMUg/s4032/blog1230_answer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0z6rCmA3ElcwiJinbiVA521HORgB7nNpvDG1neVhQyzXvyz7sWL-XkrqxfJy5kWMM4alQvJEUBXTOYHNO2JItpC_jNF4msizZcAoMOyJZVSCtAi4pIrKAZTP_ReydayFPcIj11ZlT3RbuqATSFxEosmhVGSRYP3x5t0_3sXou1EeLqqErNUliMboKMUg/w640-h480/blog1230_answer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>More car stories in the Planetskier blog series at <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com">Blogspot</a>. The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko.</div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-81419461230394640172024-01-17T00:02:00.000-08:002024-01-17T00:02:52.482-08:00Will it start?<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQuh3kYu9phIB5_S-SvIYweumrwOJZuLrrpifMZvIBwHpu20YhN7NV80yX9qNDG5vl6uombYqW9j_BcF9E6wKGLX_8J0_3FNWU2698gaEFjgm3H-B4CcxiS6pVHDARzBkSkaFvPashz8l914RVrLCEtMXEfGcBkXYxPBWEq1x4GX2Na-EsP8FMxC6Ampi/s4032/blog1217_buried.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQuh3kYu9phIB5_S-SvIYweumrwOJZuLrrpifMZvIBwHpu20YhN7NV80yX9qNDG5vl6uombYqW9j_BcF9E6wKGLX_8J0_3FNWU2698gaEFjgm3H-B4CcxiS6pVHDARzBkSkaFvPashz8l914RVrLCEtMXEfGcBkXYxPBWEq1x4GX2Na-EsP8FMxC6Ampi/w640-h480/blog1217_buried.jpg" width="520" /></a></p><p>Helsinki airport, 2am in the first night of the year. Car is buried, will it start? Any bets? -17 and stayed here for a week. No electricity to heat it up.</p><p><scroll></p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>...</p><p>It did start!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0j9d8A_sq0-ncaNMvB-XEZyN2sIFz0pv5A_CigYHM9nAZckiEm92yeOltOkcgeyir7LaNytrJkMFtIicYY3aGy0gEDoG_eVMAxdh-yEhfWTGldd0I-wZzTHJVKKRsugPRLOqp94ElyT1F9YCeCVfnbPL2PCmRn_-EMOAdp2MsoN0jbIcgzMMSIjPMhQa/s4032/blog1217_engineon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0j9d8A_sq0-ncaNMvB-XEZyN2sIFz0pv5A_CigYHM9nAZckiEm92yeOltOkcgeyir7LaNytrJkMFtIicYY3aGy0gEDoG_eVMAxdh-yEhfWTGldd0I-wZzTHJVKKRsugPRLOqp94ElyT1F9YCeCVfnbPL2PCmRn_-EMOAdp2MsoN0jbIcgzMMSIjPMhQa/w640-h360/blog1217_engineon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>But some work remains:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6qqsIV_L7JIlrDAZ1LAfXEftUkt5bL7nsOZdjPCRwwhyF48Pq-6MWksLY-LuP3YKzYe_jOMgBGRlORb_sb6JUVgeVVwP5dpfG0lKLuvzbdl5pEaqNQO5PHK0QbRMIrkMNn53sYac7YARlFbOb1bdzfjYHVrA1H8kNrklGj0PiPt7qgBQU9SjCStzf7tj/s4032/blog1217_lightson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6qqsIV_L7JIlrDAZ1LAfXEftUkt5bL7nsOZdjPCRwwhyF48Pq-6MWksLY-LuP3YKzYe_jOMgBGRlORb_sb6JUVgeVVwP5dpfG0lKLuvzbdl5pEaqNQO5PHK0QbRMIrkMNn53sYac7YARlFbOb1bdzfjYHVrA1H8kNrklGj0PiPt7qgBQU9SjCStzf7tj/w640-h480/blog1217_lightson.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Here's the <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2023/07/here-again-sigh.html" target="_blank">previous article</a> on this series. More car stories in the Planetskier blog series at <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com">Blogspot</a>. The photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-59122330262755542952024-01-16T03:29:00.000-08:002024-01-16T03:30:01.486-08:00Matinkylän uimahalli, now with parking<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZjIOPSiJ8i9n1hlC1_BMFzEcYLMuWXj-QtqOQK4fRYsoMVnjJXfkCaiH_QoOjvLdD-KcfnQjK4X2e2J0nx5SMr19Sut2XWA6pbnGpIceYH0KcbhBlsj2oOOfVfPrjDTnF9qTTwtMKoR3m5Q6iBnn7b3eYNV4-nLLPb8GLtri5Gtr61Fh-BJK4xydAqzP/s4032/blog1229_sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZjIOPSiJ8i9n1hlC1_BMFzEcYLMuWXj-QtqOQK4fRYsoMVnjJXfkCaiH_QoOjvLdD-KcfnQjK4X2e2J0nx5SMr19Sut2XWA6pbnGpIceYH0KcbhBlsj2oOOfVfPrjDTnF9qTTwtMKoR3m5Q6iBnn7b3eYNV4-nLLPb8GLtri5Gtr61Fh-BJK4xydAqzP/w640-h360/blog1229_sign.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've been to the new Matinkylä swimming hall <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2023/01/testing-new-matinkyla-swimming-hall.html" target="_blank">before</a>, but it was only now I realized how to park in their garage! The swimming hall is a block or two away from the massive Iso Omena shopping mall, where I've parked before. But I kept wondering how come people were walking to the garage underneath the swimming hall, yet I couldn't see a way to drive there.</div><div><br /></div><div>It turns out that you drive into the mall garage, but there's signs to follow and you will finally end up in an underground garage that you simply take a few stairs up and you'll be directly at the swimming pool. No need to exit the mall on foot and cross streets, etc. Nice. Why didn't I realize this before???</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNJEfaaYmLfphL9ngmzrb8-OR8-8SPZAGAh9pbZ0JUdfF8YJjUOYhWj-8XiSJ0EEMaiNoz9eJYtpqS3fnUrlyTexlNKAihEgLbwnnbbZDFMwHi2Vrk44XizXD2AC_PJWIB4_l6Xzk4LBxvd1Z1rOcIzh2hPFMIzqlMZ5d8UqB-OUd-LcoG2t7ATI1bTgg/s4032/blog1229_garage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNJEfaaYmLfphL9ngmzrb8-OR8-8SPZAGAh9pbZ0JUdfF8YJjUOYhWj-8XiSJ0EEMaiNoz9eJYtpqS3fnUrlyTexlNKAihEgLbwnnbbZDFMwHi2Vrk44XizXD2AC_PJWIB4_l6Xzk4LBxvd1Z1rOcIzh2hPFMIzqlMZ5d8UqB-OUd-LcoG2t7ATI1bTgg/w640-h360/blog1229_garage.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For more sauna and swimming stories, check out <a href="https://planetswimmer.com">planetswimmer.com</a> and <a href="https://saunablogger.cool">saunablogger.cool</a> websites! Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. </div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-75453645620505215662024-01-15T00:29:00.000-08:002024-01-15T00:29:51.480-08:00Want: Bormio spa<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k0jACtiLBua0voYAZnqz3-pbOta6Vf3Oy3HL0dR_XiGUrNj1h-H5nmjb3keX8ii7h2kbHje9Kms5_h4tgydq_SzAcfg0k6m-cERd81MIwgcGAUYSA9CIWb_yUWbTxj0vHFag48gbzMoyVrOc7SSw9OdLxAy-DTDcL1d1qUM5jsNEFTPOhrgo7wkxQPb_/s4032/blog1224_setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k0jACtiLBua0voYAZnqz3-pbOta6Vf3Oy3HL0dR_XiGUrNj1h-H5nmjb3keX8ii7h2kbHje9Kms5_h4tgydq_SzAcfg0k6m-cERd81MIwgcGAUYSA9CIWb_yUWbTxj0vHFag48gbzMoyVrOc7SSw9OdLxAy-DTDcL1d1qUM5jsNEFTPOhrgo7wkxQPb_/w360-h640/blog1224_setup.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There's a more famous spa in Bormio city center, but ... this is something else: <a href="https://www.qcterme.com/en/bormio/qc-terme-bagni-vecchi" target="_blank">QC Terme Bagni Vecchi</a>. Nestled in the high mountains above Bormio, on the road to the famed Passo di Stelvio... like a castle with indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna in a cave heated by the natural thermal waters.</div><div><br /></div><div>My only regret: I did not visit this place. I tried to go, but the most convenient time for me was booked out, so we only visited the outside to view location. Wow. </div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't an inexpensive place: a 2.5 hour ticket was north of 60 Euros, and daily tickets or staying at the spa hotel would be even more costly. But for sure worth it!</div><div><br /></div><div>It is now on my bucket list!</div><div><br /></div><div>The road to Passo di Stelvio actually stops at this spa in the winter, the rest of it is closed. Here's a spire and a tunnel on the way from the spa down:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxafmSqgKb68H2OPp4l1fmeKYsKKqAfvAEGMObmJjmDpS6nWCJBSR-bjQsnBCYZhbAYd-egb2xgqZxgDTTV7MbHVXWgxXgRtHzqUkUgdbG-qU8Bwo24kqTJmWCr56SLl1VP8CnGInOJ0AbPVKz6zgCxRvamfEDkmTNSdeF2y3VS4miOVfGQGDE_n7yNG4/s1600/blog1224_spire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxafmSqgKb68H2OPp4l1fmeKYsKKqAfvAEGMObmJjmDpS6nWCJBSR-bjQsnBCYZhbAYd-egb2xgqZxgDTTV7MbHVXWgxXgRtHzqUkUgdbG-qU8Bwo24kqTJmWCr56SLl1VP8CnGInOJ0AbPVKz6zgCxRvamfEDkmTNSdeF2y3VS4miOVfGQGDE_n7yNG4/w480-h640/blog1224_spire.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The outdoor pool:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRwZjFaEjgWDpOfuWtV3FMNxYolJbR6e337-zaHkCA_05ZmUWxNMcyuo0InU5IN9abzT9wVlk3idnzVyePK-nPc-f8EZl001Hye_Su6GF7pjA2zYFYiABPqcEu1oy37vwJTsirGblR2f-NsbMZupBpJBd4bbyjB3GGfE9MYUurM4ZQVYSM6cvvvbvQmtD/s4032/blog1224_closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRwZjFaEjgWDpOfuWtV3FMNxYolJbR6e337-zaHkCA_05ZmUWxNMcyuo0InU5IN9abzT9wVlk3idnzVyePK-nPc-f8EZl001Hye_Su6GF7pjA2zYFYiABPqcEu1oy37vwJTsirGblR2f-NsbMZupBpJBd4bbyjB3GGfE9MYUurM4ZQVYSM6cvvvbvQmtD/w640-h360/blog1224_closeup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Views from the spa:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1jkWJxc6IJnRjON5it0LX6K-zV1ckP-sIaOCKevUxSr2UrlQzS3EnLLT_TSh8m9VwzOo6yzzhf7mgCGlC139G1U6GZ6o3qfwfP8If9jWV6UVAhU8BHY8M-CU-gn8NpF7f_nDoDyqpT0743k9dh4WA6H9MOwHsN-STpT8_XUJrazYPv9CC96RZ9ARB7Pc/s4032/blog1224_view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1jkWJxc6IJnRjON5it0LX6K-zV1ckP-sIaOCKevUxSr2UrlQzS3EnLLT_TSh8m9VwzOo6yzzhf7mgCGlC139G1U6GZ6o3qfwfP8If9jWV6UVAhU8BHY8M-CU-gn8NpF7f_nDoDyqpT0743k9dh4WA6H9MOwHsN-STpT8_XUJrazYPv9CC96RZ9ARB7Pc/w640-h360/blog1224_view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For more sauna and swimming stories, check out <a href="https://planetswimmer.com">planetswimmer.com</a> and <a href="https://saunablogger.cool">saunablogger.cool</a> websites! Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko and family members. All rights reserved. I never take photos of other saunagoers or swimmers (at least not when they would appear bigger than a few pixels in general photos like the one above) and visit when there is simply no one else or the facility has been closed or booked only for me.</div></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-66115880703373497362024-01-15T00:20:00.000-08:002024-01-15T00:20:47.722-08:00Google Maps Approach to Going Skiing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11L8VBvjiLI6qBPns8w9T4KhxMO102Rbr84Fjgk2xdPrjQNIRcaombqdsTrMr8Ci_DQ-lcGEC-5IgSzixSZIr7jO2NPvnQGu1fqxIQ9rtu42Yk2-yLaLIrcBISGjt5_wcNtA-r2ciP5Wav5i20wfyhXg5KdHlJyzXOIMsJ3pWk4LHoaucQujqcDzg6H9I/s2532/blog1227_maps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11L8VBvjiLI6qBPns8w9T4KhxMO102Rbr84Fjgk2xdPrjQNIRcaombqdsTrMr8Ci_DQ-lcGEC-5IgSzixSZIr7jO2NPvnQGu1fqxIQ9rtu42Yk2-yLaLIrcBISGjt5_wcNtA-r2ciP5Wav5i20wfyhXg5KdHlJyzXOIMsJ3pWk4LHoaucQujqcDzg6H9I/w296-h640/blog1227_maps.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><p>We were talking about skiing in places that I have not been to, like Tunis or Alger. I asked Google Maps about "Tunis ski" and it helpfully interpreted this as a request to drive from the Finnish skiing association to Tunis :-) Helpfully, it also displayed all the speed cameras on this 4000+ km journey ;-)</p><p>Nice.</p><p>Oddly though, I *think* there are ski places in Tunis and Alger, but even skiresort.info <a href="https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/africa/" target="_blank">cannot find them</a>. Needs more investigation.</p><p>Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-87354347147720501692024-01-14T05:38:00.000-08:002024-01-14T05:38:47.572-08:00Sunken church<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUnvnHHidSzwycVQTHHp1TsjbypVDQ4AlpKgcCi0j3-1wvlA_jtqOZ1b0JlyCSC-Sz0jhBO88jXbR2Vosn2-M7BBtsn8m4KDGDe4GH3Uso3NC_YhyphenhyphenDAyofWsIdxxXUeSt_e5aVMaCUH0FhXTsYkNhUh7Hn81X3KFBs2abOj-V-09mq_qXpV48G06FU5P_/s4032/blog1220_leaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUnvnHHidSzwycVQTHHp1TsjbypVDQ4AlpKgcCi0j3-1wvlA_jtqOZ1b0JlyCSC-Sz0jhBO88jXbR2Vosn2-M7BBtsn8m4KDGDe4GH3Uso3NC_YhyphenhyphenDAyofWsIdxxXUeSt_e5aVMaCUH0FhXTsYkNhUh7Hn81X3KFBs2abOj-V-09mq_qXpV48G06FU5P_/w360-h640/blog1220_leaning.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Interesting. A sunken church, abandoned in the face of rising waters for a dam built in 1952. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Nicholas_Church,_Mavrovo">Old Mavrovo Church</a> is repeated submerged, and as a result has been considerably damaged, e.g., the roof has caved in.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a project to build a small berm around the church, however, and attempt to save it from further flooding. Please help this project, if you visit Mavrovo; you can done on site.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coordinates: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/DrEGUcCoesSPZaNS6" target="_blank">N 41.660032 E 20.735375</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBpJfNxKfBZZ0V0WlVuQo86v_SDXz94QGYE3jlILWJTBD-5jood47QEoi7Za0TLaPfQgY_sOnUmT6d40JkSsDRR-9ygfadXCQ2Eea2F1zlHUQUnuw744yeNTsqsmsKNuQuDBU_kf3zbpUnTXTgI0iW6kj1xb5FQnTTPRH-CYupAorrPfJK6u1vJTtC1Q1/s4032/blog1220_roundpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBpJfNxKfBZZ0V0WlVuQo86v_SDXz94QGYE3jlILWJTBD-5jood47QEoi7Za0TLaPfQgY_sOnUmT6d40JkSsDRR-9ygfadXCQ2Eea2F1zlHUQUnuw744yeNTsqsmsKNuQuDBU_kf3zbpUnTXTgI0iW6kj1xb5FQnTTPRH-CYupAorrPfJK6u1vJTtC1Q1/w480-h640/blog1220_roundpillar.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC4LxbIy8DFCGQYphZSZOEfSBoVs-vDg7RGWembKYIOg32PIGRR6vFB-YuDUedD8h_FUnxak_vXbGmKDhRvXgbcZ70ZsaQbgHdVtB7-3NM0E_LtkZoEMT991Q8rQvADngS11YM4sJHD3M17EFXVrZIDwgZU9KIWDy2iqXp3N9cSwq4RQr0pu2jmAJ_wTm/s4032/blog1220_away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC4LxbIy8DFCGQYphZSZOEfSBoVs-vDg7RGWembKYIOg32PIGRR6vFB-YuDUedD8h_FUnxak_vXbGmKDhRvXgbcZ70ZsaQbgHdVtB7-3NM0E_LtkZoEMT991Q8rQvADngS11YM4sJHD3M17EFXVrZIDwgZU9KIWDy2iqXp3N9cSwq4RQr0pu2jmAJ_wTm/w640-h480/blog1220_away.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oLUIBht03-71cOgRvTXG0WK1VsGa-qLYxuZGVvV__2q1U3YU7C5PGAPKzMfNecrAHXSEfV4sdC7d9BgLxs54sXk9lAGsBTfZhfns4h9KgSaLcGG1nOZ8asgNpzthQoWGIxyqd-kyDfuAtZuD05yNYEI_CvUqRQEfdjpJIIxma5vrB-hVcxxw1zhWeYlr/s4032/blog1220_out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oLUIBht03-71cOgRvTXG0WK1VsGa-qLYxuZGVvV__2q1U3YU7C5PGAPKzMfNecrAHXSEfV4sdC7d9BgLxs54sXk9lAGsBTfZhfns4h9KgSaLcGG1nOZ8asgNpzthQoWGIxyqd-kyDfuAtZuD05yNYEI_CvUqRQEfdjpJIIxma5vrB-hVcxxw1zhWeYlr/w640-h360/blog1220_out.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I0WmSJbYaWKXOs2rEYfWnU1m6PEd3zpClficZhKna6FwBWjDb5fpjKwrgqRwqgc87UCrotrFivGnTLgPeHaJk8lTUyz9M6Z16C2OcZ0WAPPwLdQYMfP3PRSKhZGANgcqa8LD_8JjfU2zYU5TMTrwO-thqVzJ5eQtDhHT7HpsnyXR2sXguyfdHPVIuRtI/s4032/blog1220_up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I0WmSJbYaWKXOs2rEYfWnU1m6PEd3zpClficZhKna6FwBWjDb5fpjKwrgqRwqgc87UCrotrFivGnTLgPeHaJk8lTUyz9M6Z16C2OcZ0WAPPwLdQYMfP3PRSKhZGANgcqa8LD_8JjfU2zYU5TMTrwO-thqVzJ5eQtDhHT7HpsnyXR2sXguyfdHPVIuRtI/w360-h640/blog1220_up.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jc3QiBgPR8l06P4p-0lDJohjX5NcXP7JRVV8r0MLLNmhHELOKNHtCZqJDUcdsj4KDxs8tYvnuF1dXqqrZOkUOaPowbZGtFIspGSfumFdU39pIZBKR-q5wgf6HHC0YOVArC2JgKDYvcJfXhZ2aEpfgbotlQXTj7ubzRt_93SJ_soSNE8jcA0WrvfqdA4I/s4032/blog1220_uptoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jc3QiBgPR8l06P4p-0lDJohjX5NcXP7JRVV8r0MLLNmhHELOKNHtCZqJDUcdsj4KDxs8tYvnuF1dXqqrZOkUOaPowbZGtFIspGSfumFdU39pIZBKR-q5wgf6HHC0YOVArC2JgKDYvcJfXhZ2aEpfgbotlQXTj7ubzRt_93SJ_soSNE8jcA0WrvfqdA4I/w480-h640/blog1220_uptoo.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEio91s0ZbqyZA5Fjnw3wzQ3Bl-aGP3VSAo4dpbQiokFgxE95pCz36jOC6Ufg3_onYXvuTQ5M3RE-im2bbz09mfvOjfDACG0Ceb3XKJb5BwzY-w23mcjNHG2Zu34Z6wOAgluL_oaVWuEHqy7YVzHOWknW-ugiKPEaIhp5Vueyl9jeg-hiBx5NvdxhJPShU/s4032/blog1220_warning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEio91s0ZbqyZA5Fjnw3wzQ3Bl-aGP3VSAo4dpbQiokFgxE95pCz36jOC6Ufg3_onYXvuTQ5M3RE-im2bbz09mfvOjfDACG0Ceb3XKJb5BwzY-w23mcjNHG2Zu34Z6wOAgluL_oaVWuEHqy7YVzHOWknW-ugiKPEaIhp5Vueyl9jeg-hiBx5NvdxhJPShU/w640-h480/blog1220_warning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">An interesting visiting destination for sure!</div><div><br /></div><div>Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. </div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-55370240159798914412024-01-14T04:47:00.000-08:002024-01-14T04:47:54.532-08:00Grotta San Giovanni Mystery<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOHN_9Zby-selAA9v8VyE4EdsLq7fjAwPuIRPTTjPriT11oC_mUW21heUaPLLM7wS1QqnDsR_NYnKAaYZYk8fKgCzsxyONJFy_CdVgal_-AIn-rjQJDp1t7f-p25A8_6b8dJaY8Wo0A4xORRL-U5RHD8xI3BppZdK3YCD_Qn9NL1uuUJDovP0d_fq_6wz/s4032/blog1226_mainview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOHN_9Zby-selAA9v8VyE4EdsLq7fjAwPuIRPTTjPriT11oC_mUW21heUaPLLM7wS1QqnDsR_NYnKAaYZYk8fKgCzsxyONJFy_CdVgal_-AIn-rjQJDp1t7f-p25A8_6b8dJaY8Wo0A4xORRL-U5RHD8xI3BppZdK3YCD_Qn9NL1uuUJDovP0d_fq_6wz/w640-h480/blog1226_mainview.jpg" width="520" /></a></p><p>Grotta San Giovanni is near Lecco and Lago di Como, in northern Italy. As you can see from above, the views are wonderful! But there's a mystery: did this cave inspire Leonardo da Vinci's painting <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_of_the_Rocks" target="_blank">Madonna (or Virgin) on the Rocks</a>? </p><p>Some people think so ... you judge by yourself.</p><p>Below you see a picture of the London version of the painting (picture credit: National Gallery).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomLB4vB9lqTv6PLOWcGghQEIkLeOvDcAeaw139WsHnU06b8I20RaU8duX_h8UdqYV-NtTdmc3gCrkhENtR2QGUhiVlowA4TqAxWX3ibOWPoJsiQdz6O3ytpapzgSDAcURmncyFczUaGSA6dem6RWMfVNnpfRHqdrOJiDct-pjEFGkfuarZxY6sh-mGew3/s4150/blog1226_painting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4150" data-original-width="2692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomLB4vB9lqTv6PLOWcGghQEIkLeOvDcAeaw139WsHnU06b8I20RaU8duX_h8UdqYV-NtTdmc3gCrkhENtR2QGUhiVlowA4TqAxWX3ibOWPoJsiQdz6O3ytpapzgSDAcURmncyFczUaGSA6dem6RWMfVNnpfRHqdrOJiDct-pjEFGkfuarZxY6sh-mGew3/w416-h640/blog1226_painting.jpg" width="416" /></a></p><p>There's a main cave exit hole in the painting on the left. In that exit hole, you can clearly see a similarity between the upper right stalactites and the pillar/stalactites on the right. The main proponent of this idea, Ricardo Magnani, argues about both the similarity of the cave forms and Leonardo's documented travels in the area.</p><p>Below you see the pillar a bit more clearly:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb4SYng-7Kw4B3OnvYGHh2l6NxemwXEkyVDDtHdQAgXfNrU98D21qJMpEhTP68PlCyaM3BP05dHsG7EHY_ht5HHZFniJoWCkFimzVsgEb7sXrzvcCaXVIlqFsWjMBOO8ao6wH8zqjtPaIUOpcQzUJHoRNmLwARz1jn0xAusmimInHr4DKQSZVcjva-P4K/s3617/blog1226_mainclearer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="3617" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb4SYng-7Kw4B3OnvYGHh2l6NxemwXEkyVDDtHdQAgXfNrU98D21qJMpEhTP68PlCyaM3BP05dHsG7EHY_ht5HHZFniJoWCkFimzVsgEb7sXrzvcCaXVIlqFsWjMBOO8ao6wH8zqjtPaIUOpcQzUJHoRNmLwARz1jn0xAusmimInHr4DKQSZVcjva-P4K/w640-h452/blog1226_mainclearer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In the painting, the view out of the cave is not what you see in reality, the lake shores of lake Lago di Como but rather the nearby mountain landscapes in Val Calolden, Sasso Cavallo, and Sasso Carbonari. Other real elements placed into the painting by Leonardo. </p><p>For more information about the similarities, see <a href="https://www.valbiandino.net/index.php/cultura/item/501-le-grotte-il-cimitero-e-leonardo-da-vinci-laorca-lecco" target="_blank">article 1</a>, <a href="https://www.ilgiorno.it/lecco/cronaca/lecco-leonardo-da-vinci-grotta-laorca-ead2afce" target="_blank">article 2</a>, and <a href="https://www.viveresenigallia.it/upload/2017_01/366602_Senigallia.pdf" target="_blank">article 3</a>. The last article is by Ricardo Magnani.</p><p>I have no doubt that other, similarly vaguely resembling cave sceneries can be found. But, the proximity of Leonardo's travels, the ease of access to this cave and closeness to civilization, and the similarity... who knows. Maybe the cave and surrounding mountains did inspire Leonardo. Artists do need inspiration and frequently take elements from nature that they've seen. </p><p>In any case, intriguing, a small cave but well worth a visit for the views!</p><p>More pictures from the cave:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4dIL6Cl1L7jpDrRXCN2kA5lRo8ck9AMMk9QG_1QAfNQHxPsuKUcvAUCQBi4pwS_aThR1RHXrZ8eITTW3836yYSnzC7YiNe6skdqhXvY7cRaZEHkRdpwRQckJj5ADqPs2HExrXo33WA5XcTY-13lSO0wF_ZrNcYk7MuvSqrfQ8GIUGeCaXLpQIGhDEIcK/s4032/blog1226_mainoutside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4dIL6Cl1L7jpDrRXCN2kA5lRo8ck9AMMk9QG_1QAfNQHxPsuKUcvAUCQBi4pwS_aThR1RHXrZ8eITTW3836yYSnzC7YiNe6skdqhXvY7cRaZEHkRdpwRQckJj5ADqPs2HExrXo33WA5XcTY-13lSO0wF_ZrNcYk7MuvSqrfQ8GIUGeCaXLpQIGhDEIcK/w640-h480/blog1226_mainoutside.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacTurmE9t85uCtmlyr_Ple-EjGVI9LKqOAEZZ_cSbPrgamp3MrFhr6s2CRjzITEAxF0sfooMdUtUWIzMAMPJhP36A452rU2ZXPwnANcB-ICF5vLknSUtz27T8eHLNPbZavbMydWGjyqMhQqt3E4onNk-TEf48V5-p6Ur5ZII72xUj6S6-piNaWbQNE4Nu/s4032/blog1226_mainflow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacTurmE9t85uCtmlyr_Ple-EjGVI9LKqOAEZZ_cSbPrgamp3MrFhr6s2CRjzITEAxF0sfooMdUtUWIzMAMPJhP36A452rU2ZXPwnANcB-ICF5vLknSUtz27T8eHLNPbZavbMydWGjyqMhQqt3E4onNk-TEf48V5-p6Ur5ZII72xUj6S6-piNaWbQNE4Nu/w640-h360/blog1226_mainflow.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>The main cave is at coordinates <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/nozZ5WHTAdurq3Zy6" target="_blank">N 45.8788776 E 9.4042302</a>. There are also side caves:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Side cave 1, similar to the main cave is at coordinates <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/UybSDVpftZ7d6ycs7" target="_blank">N 45.8790221 E 9.4045484</a>. </li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbt468ULj1cDuZkcimVch03BJyWaUaqDxlPVSgMKR9iFINWIm6YbggPPuZRncAdZGOQkW88mZn19oPCR2JgGMMMD5HJpSY2iEdEFmahXk6BuGdqGqsRNluw7ypeDUhHARIjK-Y1YyNN-0LaCohr5vE2AY3Wh6cJekS9GKkKpesJagmm7Wixs4h1yxaE97/s4032/blog1226_side1overview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbt468ULj1cDuZkcimVch03BJyWaUaqDxlPVSgMKR9iFINWIm6YbggPPuZRncAdZGOQkW88mZn19oPCR2JgGMMMD5HJpSY2iEdEFmahXk6BuGdqGqsRNluw7ypeDUhHARIjK-Y1YyNN-0LaCohr5vE2AY3Wh6cJekS9GKkKpesJagmm7Wixs4h1yxaE97/w640-h360/blog1226_side1overview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczAw_ZpdnQ_8JurCck3E-RDYDU4SpZNgjtWRVpJbZLYCn1X4aCtmWlemQXESJJq3gBP0Nyz_bLyG7w2T0Um_Dr2STzkAowJc8GH8n97qkktJR1C26s8QwGmFXnoqX2DWN2vO7AZsMKWVWJjTBQpFDqnjEXPJ3dWQ6sgno2RJWWxhiHFv667ZQdVMluLDW/s4032/blog1226_side1detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczAw_ZpdnQ_8JurCck3E-RDYDU4SpZNgjtWRVpJbZLYCn1X4aCtmWlemQXESJJq3gBP0Nyz_bLyG7w2T0Um_Dr2STzkAowJc8GH8n97qkktJR1C26s8QwGmFXnoqX2DWN2vO7AZsMKWVWJjTBQpFDqnjEXPJ3dWQ6sgno2RJWWxhiHFv667ZQdVMluLDW/w640-h480/blog1226_side1detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Side cave 2, a more prepared cave with steps and stone walking platforms is at coordinates <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/5p43LxK2W4a4k6Bj9" target="_blank">N 45.879205, E 9.404845</a>.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfR4gPgNS1Lx53mrYxUwOHTnceCuZ7rCk6AO5IUuWFEqpbaAF6Q3rIORVQLtew9SAgzm6GmsRDhmNlVQCvzZQ-8Rjwtah_b0YhLiF6ueXr00ng5Ee3KbnC1rNAh6EciUWxjSA-dmnTYMeD_j8UxOsGw43Aov-Q1gfyeRxYj1__9r8fAQSY2fzYTNwxQfS/s4032/blog1226_side2overview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfR4gPgNS1Lx53mrYxUwOHTnceCuZ7rCk6AO5IUuWFEqpbaAF6Q3rIORVQLtew9SAgzm6GmsRDhmNlVQCvzZQ-8Rjwtah_b0YhLiF6ueXr00ng5Ee3KbnC1rNAh6EciUWxjSA-dmnTYMeD_j8UxOsGw43Aov-Q1gfyeRxYj1__9r8fAQSY2fzYTNwxQfS/w480-h640/blog1226_side2overview.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m0MjNeCx2hNQrybV_rL226jdALkAD3rP8ANW7oIUAf6Q51X-4YXwd5jVETJjehyphenhyphenxM-hfGo11g1jRpbJ41lnP2B0XFwk_n8yvA1VHTXq7zzd0md9uUIRP9MRjfDHplNvmRT-ve0zWeZ9jgDfEwCa4miRCjzgFuM8enbmUABlijXx59Yz1Se5gt-nMHSxA/s4032/blog1226_side2detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3m0MjNeCx2hNQrybV_rL226jdALkAD3rP8ANW7oIUAf6Q51X-4YXwd5jVETJjehyphenhyphenxM-hfGo11g1jRpbJ41lnP2B0XFwk_n8yvA1VHTXq7zzd0md9uUIRP9MRjfDHplNvmRT-ve0zWeZ9jgDfEwCa4miRCjzgFuM8enbmUABlijXx59Yz1Se5gt-nMHSxA/w480-h640/blog1226_side2detail.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Finally, the biggest cave is taken over by a cemetery, housing family burial buildings. It is at coordinates <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/xF3vHa3dDotbiL4d7" target="_blank">N 45.8797179 E 9.4047744</a>. The church of S.Giovanni ai Morti is mentioned for the first time in 1289, and the cemetery around it has been expanded several times.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IsmR5wAUSb4xhGGQBzJQRNRIliPDcBfFZXpP71I1xHFPTcERNv7dnCUH8FxWKVBGn_KTeDxem33AxkTDJh-n6idzce4ZoMb0HhxwtSQzWVkzsPkaYeRr9WUu5mNTpn-xqyPPMr40m9LvHFLoJoAtzM-CwMctYwyf5RiZJJ89YugU5TyiM0Nqn1vtKmeh/s4032/blog1226_side3cemetery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IsmR5wAUSb4xhGGQBzJQRNRIliPDcBfFZXpP71I1xHFPTcERNv7dnCUH8FxWKVBGn_KTeDxem33AxkTDJh-n6idzce4ZoMb0HhxwtSQzWVkzsPkaYeRr9WUu5mNTpn-xqyPPMr40m9LvHFLoJoAtzM-CwMctYwyf5RiZJJ89YugU5TyiM0Nqn1vtKmeh/w480-h640/blog1226_side3cemetery.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9FL1wYtUgDK_UF1UM3KlgccMGdd0VQybHX7hy-vb2YSEUBSIQN8G5TU_OqJUec1l9WEfVWUdneaDDBf_I5R5A53FmCCkSAJWqUjBvabhXBqCp7A5Dzm3FuGxy3SWSYmx3fh25IdxXLDnw-yEW1GXESjgdqsbCYMU2q1qLCZVsVKZevnsMhPDFYMayn-g/s4032/blog1226_side3detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9FL1wYtUgDK_UF1UM3KlgccMGdd0VQybHX7hy-vb2YSEUBSIQN8G5TU_OqJUec1l9WEfVWUdneaDDBf_I5R5A53FmCCkSAJWqUjBvabhXBqCp7A5Dzm3FuGxy3SWSYmx3fh25IdxXLDnw-yEW1GXESjgdqsbCYMU2q1qLCZVsVKZevnsMhPDFYMayn-g/w360-h640/blog1226_side3detail.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>This Grotta San Giovanni should not be mixed with <a href="https://www.grottasangiovanni.com/en/home" target="_blank">another Grotta San Giovanni</a> in Sardinia.</p><p>Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2024 by Jari Arkko. The painting image credits are by National Gallery from Wikipedia, and is in the public domain. All rights reserved. </p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-76846732788226384712024-01-13T01:18:00.000-08:002024-01-13T01:18:03.407-08:00SKP Primeclass<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEF-tchLLBX32x1UE_mdE3fRUgnrmTkYShvd2xu5DJfRID_DQJ7MzDlhRAbu6M-bZjM8nIJAMHTbrCFv7DOONuKqFcRWg-eSg3kamF-nOdNIZm3Qikg1_rd06rYSp2HRQ7_zCYDaUk8VDnY9NjQ03BiNgkRhdbdS_69v5wrC0qjKI4FHdcIXmIDBLP6sP/s4032/blog1216_loungesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEF-tchLLBX32x1UE_mdE3fRUgnrmTkYShvd2xu5DJfRID_DQJ7MzDlhRAbu6M-bZjM8nIJAMHTbrCFv7DOONuKqFcRWg-eSg3kamF-nOdNIZm3Qikg1_rd06rYSp2HRQ7_zCYDaUk8VDnY9NjQ03BiNgkRhdbdS_69v5wrC0qjKI4FHdcIXmIDBLP6sP/w400-h300/blog1216_loungesign.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>My first time in North Macedonia. My first time at the Skopje International Airport (SKP). By some luck of draw, I had won a Lufthansa upgrade bid with the minimum bid (70€) and was flying out on business class. So.. one should be able to visit a lounge, right?</p><p>Oddly enough, a Lufthansa business class ticket doesn't qualify for taking a friend with you in the Primeclass lounge. To an empty lounge with literally zero other people. How welcoming is that?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXnl3XKtt6wCQzuf8PmMKbWVwUGNmdJyyzLIa3fkXO4h02uBA7uP9h_ghblmSgNDOrHgKGERj8wyhCE0zt6cMJF0V150q4FLG3q3nrIC0lycDRszAXgwwX0e8cSFr-MsLdJS7s_EFUdCVhDRa6kgiGSHIhMJ6v1gi_GnP9__Olv3u2ateStvGh21JPcLT/s4032/blog1216_loungeinvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXnl3XKtt6wCQzuf8PmMKbWVwUGNmdJyyzLIa3fkXO4h02uBA7uP9h_ghblmSgNDOrHgKGERj8wyhCE0zt6cMJF0V150q4FLG3q3nrIC0lycDRszAXgwwX0e8cSFr-MsLdJS7s_EFUdCVhDRa6kgiGSHIhMJ6v1gi_GnP9__Olv3u2ateStvGh21JPcLT/w300-h400/blog1216_loungeinvite.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>Never mind then. I was served a nice meal in the aircraft.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfCQFrz_4msUfeAmf57ghL0bgLKFE04ZAZyWnvIVxdMwoPvH-xhyqbsO1jzLo60OJnzgk1B55lf1CJ5ZTP6kqeJdZl33RJov0pWf8vfKev_q08XuxUnwS5acCbp1iCPN-Bbl7kdeWH7PL7R4Jh7o95lIXg5ReEmu6B_-1hN4NH4SUihGxiRX5V9r0qnBP/s4032/blog1216_planemeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfCQFrz_4msUfeAmf57ghL0bgLKFE04ZAZyWnvIVxdMwoPvH-xhyqbsO1jzLo60OJnzgk1B55lf1CJ5ZTP6kqeJdZl33RJov0pWf8vfKev_q08XuxUnwS5acCbp1iCPN-Bbl7kdeWH7PL7R4Jh7o95lIXg5ReEmu6B_-1hN4NH4SUihGxiRX5V9r0qnBP/w640-h360/blog1216_planemeal.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Interestingly, the business class in the Lufthansa place was also completely empty. No wonder I won the bid.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UwEiMQo4ffedR2PAUFIhBVUboYzzt3v4-ZKv3zeBdIwfkMRzJOSpW8kcP2u5z0k4o-S44v6oExfie-MG6LQ5klStSA-CwLHUJtOrpFDxPmzCXfxaPjMSx_upjVo6fBTVc2ZSyMbSJEutbeWSsje8VLex7c7yFQdNBpdcT7Cll0DYf2CPt0khN_K30KqV/s4032/blog1216_planeempty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UwEiMQo4ffedR2PAUFIhBVUboYzzt3v4-ZKv3zeBdIwfkMRzJOSpW8kcP2u5z0k4o-S44v6oExfie-MG6LQ5klStSA-CwLHUJtOrpFDxPmzCXfxaPjMSx_upjVo6fBTVc2ZSyMbSJEutbeWSsje8VLex7c7yFQdNBpdcT7Cll0DYf2CPt0khN_K30KqV/w640-h360/blog1216_planeempty.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Lounge pictures:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c7Hb2rWHiUgZCMfiaVQfnig6nZnJVhi8iiprJExYQ139rf1uyebpNfsiIJXoSmmQ4oDO3gh_9MlyufmW0qmBQcyX1ZSwdN47-pQJG8Ana8V7WFHD7kT9349_m1wYz16flIrHqJQ7rm4WQaQx_UvBVb4jBM3Kk1BIck38J4NoBq_PHQEkL2naxYpraPo7/s4032/blog1216_lounge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c7Hb2rWHiUgZCMfiaVQfnig6nZnJVhi8iiprJExYQ139rf1uyebpNfsiIJXoSmmQ4oDO3gh_9MlyufmW0qmBQcyX1ZSwdN47-pQJG8Ana8V7WFHD7kT9349_m1wYz16flIrHqJQ7rm4WQaQx_UvBVb4jBM3Kk1BIck38J4NoBq_PHQEkL2naxYpraPo7/s320/blog1216_lounge1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVvUDtgdMUp12Zo-irqPurzy36PzfQCIEPWopoKeE60oCQIityOhY7l9fu3SLw4SFtFAqzGOf74MIxzn_xuoW-K1H6F0Q_kfIfKWoeEfpuanDC6dOKS9luG9Uj7g3V_6Iqu67ISd8_43rsSCGWsCalx-kdrm7x8sNvThrypDGF1-kbDaaYJuk4r1w5Dqw/s4032/blog1216_lounge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVvUDtgdMUp12Zo-irqPurzy36PzfQCIEPWopoKeE60oCQIityOhY7l9fu3SLw4SFtFAqzGOf74MIxzn_xuoW-K1H6F0Q_kfIfKWoeEfpuanDC6dOKS9luG9Uj7g3V_6Iqu67ISd8_43rsSCGWsCalx-kdrm7x8sNvThrypDGF1-kbDaaYJuk4r1w5Dqw/s320/blog1216_lounge2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My tickets:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIq-FQu4qVtC-SCVmZ3Oex55zxA4IPKJkQbDeIihRvYScGpoanMTycrk0J0Mi9QGMqfGcKU_JzP2sKrDvCybi0-pGfM0D2XXX_mxHtvtDJ57fG6sWqvOZL70DQQbdEiFaDuW4cLsr8ZF5avHzckO7_7QIEpT3T501S62zyN2Zfv8G3yV05lmKsJao1koE/s4032/blog1216_ticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIq-FQu4qVtC-SCVmZ3Oex55zxA4IPKJkQbDeIihRvYScGpoanMTycrk0J0Mi9QGMqfGcKU_JzP2sKrDvCybi0-pGfM0D2XXX_mxHtvtDJ57fG6sWqvOZL70DQQbdEiFaDuW4cLsr8ZF5avHzckO7_7QIEpT3T501S62zyN2Zfv8G3yV05lmKsJao1koE/w300-h400/blog1216_ticket.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>As my trip continued, the experience at the Lufthansa Frankfurt T1 Business Class was ... <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/01/rats-frankfurt.html" target="_blank">"interesting"</a>.</p><p>For more flying stories, check out the <a href="http://planetflier.com" target="_blank">planetflier.com</a> website! And of course the <a href="https://planetcaver.net" target="_blank">Planetcaver</a>, and <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">Planetskier</a> blogs for other stories in <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> and <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>! The photos and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-67266420808987346422024-01-13T01:13:00.000-08:002024-01-13T01:18:40.148-08:00Rats... Frankfurt <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM9w1h5VQzwsyEP9pi0nlvP1gFRrRBAif1xxVhi3d6krSycke_CDjLY2D_78kLONp7OhMVlRnlJhjyUitlGOeVo6mA5sru1xyTd0m-Seuktmgtwk-S9xXu5yIvjdDAskIIaEwfil36KdSY_eaKC9cKuzb5heOOwbgpP0JKn7evXlSAzxFkadW8zQmlnnD/s4032/blog1222_view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM9w1h5VQzwsyEP9pi0nlvP1gFRrRBAif1xxVhi3d6krSycke_CDjLY2D_78kLONp7OhMVlRnlJhjyUitlGOeVo6mA5sru1xyTd0m-Seuktmgtwk-S9xXu5yIvjdDAskIIaEwfil36KdSY_eaKC9cKuzb5heOOwbgpP0JKn7evXlSAzxFkadW8zQmlnnD/w480-h640/blog1222_view.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I had been consuming the food at the Lufthansa Business Lounge in Frankfurt (T1) for hours while on a layover from my flights from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/01/skp-primeclass.html" target="_blank">North Macedonia</a> to Finland. Then I saw it. And now running back. Grabbed my phone, but it was too quick. Definitely a mouse, but I think too big for that actually. I'm semi-confident it was a rat.</p><p>Ewww....</p><p>Of course I cannot be sure what I saw. I reported the sighting to the staff, they said they have a problem with mice in Frankfurt. Still... I can't be sure, but what I thought I saw was larger than a mice. </p><p>In any case, wish them well in an effort to clean the rodents out of the lounge. I understand that it can be a major challenge in an old, massive airport building.</p><p>For more flying stories, check out the <a href="http://planetflier.com" target="_blank">planetflier.com</a> website! And of course the <a href="https://planetcaver.net" target="_blank">Planetcaver</a>, and <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">Planetskier</a> blogs for other stories in <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> and <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>! The photos and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-59715167768809679602024-01-13T00:31:00.000-08:002024-01-13T00:31:41.166-08:00Popova Shapka<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwQOcreRFyhCPHY51rpxJviqgcyolMottGgEXlJEHnviq-gf-w_3ypo9j3HvnT4VQsmn_DpRRTiFtgKMW73O-X6wzY7XIONJlFupatmA6uzDEq0R4bCMEuCu0Goq9qjvZ4nNh85W_wxFijE_pOXQLWY7iro8Tyqn-ZEhwqSqAKCvUqVxrOZM_LtJluTVl/s4032/blog1221_overview1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwQOcreRFyhCPHY51rpxJviqgcyolMottGgEXlJEHnviq-gf-w_3ypo9j3HvnT4VQsmn_DpRRTiFtgKMW73O-X6wzY7XIONJlFupatmA6uzDEq0R4bCMEuCu0Goq9qjvZ4nNh85W_wxFijE_pOXQLWY7iro8Tyqn-ZEhwqSqAKCvUqVxrOZM_LtJluTVl/w640-h360/blog1221_overview1.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Popova Shapka is one of the major ski resorts in North Macedonia. Perhaps THE major resort even. At the time I was there, however, in early season it had not yet opened. Wanted to see it though.</div><div><br /></div><div>And it looked wonderful. Some photos:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir07lDsCPJv4hD8eYLVDbAynWIZNdFCssQBPext1NALnsQaT1P9yJu1Ai4x-xNuyqLhyphenhyphengNltcrLpSmarrcIhNTj3D83jlGtJz_EqfdkLae-GBfhJE98BkTNBzV_y01QWnhrJ5uFgfkS7sNWfJkpTAQOgp9AovgtDb_Jp6DyTImVTA0XUWvzNo3OI-OFX_H/s4032/blog1221_overview2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir07lDsCPJv4hD8eYLVDbAynWIZNdFCssQBPext1NALnsQaT1P9yJu1Ai4x-xNuyqLhyphenhyphengNltcrLpSmarrcIhNTj3D83jlGtJz_EqfdkLae-GBfhJE98BkTNBzV_y01QWnhrJ5uFgfkS7sNWfJkpTAQOgp9AovgtDb_Jp6DyTImVTA0XUWvzNo3OI-OFX_H/w640-h360/blog1221_overview2.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I also managed to spot a small cave, reported separately <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com/2024/01/popova-shapka-mini-cave.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It looked like on the slopes there might be some more caves:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPdu_poNjk63QWr00Cjf2QwWfXGsHFRc7StLJh3czqui5CxtXJZTpn1Ar8A_wrZeAr1tgN3IpOClCb5F_xokZTDNqzm-42V0Ng8y3UxxKxYtQbWT01DJ2UmBHjETGL480255fJk8PvrdCSpTmGFlHod47Y29dDhrSgTvoKMRM-9d5E0UVm4lCIQmr5dJy/s4032/blog1221_cave.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPdu_poNjk63QWr00Cjf2QwWfXGsHFRc7StLJh3czqui5CxtXJZTpn1Ar8A_wrZeAr1tgN3IpOClCb5F_xokZTDNqzm-42V0Ng8y3UxxKxYtQbWT01DJ2UmBHjETGL480255fJk8PvrdCSpTmGFlHod47Y29dDhrSgTvoKMRM-9d5E0UVm4lCIQmr5dJy/w640-h360/blog1221_cave.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>More information about the ski resort can be found in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popova_Šapka" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> and the Ski Macedonia <a href="https://skimacedonia.mk/ski-regions/popova-sapka/?lang=en" target="_blank">website</a>. Popova Shapka is also the place where <a href="https://www.eskimo-freeride.com" target="_blank">Eskimo Freeride</a> arranges cat skiing tours. Now that would be something else, I would definitely like to try that some day!</div><div><br /></div><div>Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a>, <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko.</div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-88171717942970322142024-01-01T14:11:00.000-08:002024-01-01T14:11:39.401-08:00Popova Shapka mini-cave<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfrHDkMNEPAT6mwrsiQz-_v98HdTp9HQ_StfIdWW8YocBtpFHujxhHKTegFxVFaHjaUS3CMNYXuDdnyRt-6kdYR15NKlQ0uBlfcp5pdvEQX3K-LhcWmHYai5JU6nvb14o1Sl16Odgjz_23fO8wVe-FhR6_Jhy1OOyZwdzoEoq_D4ypXS7VZiht96jVf77/s4032/blog1215_caveoverviewentrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfrHDkMNEPAT6mwrsiQz-_v98HdTp9HQ_StfIdWW8YocBtpFHujxhHKTegFxVFaHjaUS3CMNYXuDdnyRt-6kdYR15NKlQ0uBlfcp5pdvEQX3K-LhcWmHYai5JU6nvb14o1Sl16Odgjz_23fO8wVe-FhR6_Jhy1OOyZwdzoEoq_D4ypXS7VZiht96jVf77/w480-h640/blog1215_caveoverviewentrance.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p>On my trip to North-Macedonia, I drove by an interesting rock formation on the way to the Popova Shapka ski area above the town of Tetovo. I did not have time to explore other caves, and this one wasn't much of a cave either. But in Finland it would qualify as a cave. A small crack in an eroded rock feature sticking out.</p><p>The cave was very narrow, just barely wide enough to enter. It was easily possible to move maybe 5 meters into it, but the overall length was perhaps 8-10 meters, though I'm not sure if a human could go all the way to the other end. There was light coming out of the other end, but the crack kept getting narrower and less tall the further you went.</p><p>Interesting nevertheless.</p><p>Coordinates: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/kfnuGMQBC2FDhiDP6" target="_blank">N 42.02057554 E 20.90232780</a>.</p><p>Photos:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNEw98KeYHskyPaIbFSk3DVEEaeP9KTDQJFdvYBaE0EAYLmx3P2DNnSg50y2GKpiDrosWPzr4JCU74qC-VKXqBStgD9abTBejqRteD0pDRGfw3bc5em0rI9GrGudXfXQYmtMUFNBBwhQWQNJKSbrmLFFk0u7kmhL13oe9_Pfz8Az8f_OmPVr9QVWEXbME/s4032/blog1215_caveoutview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNEw98KeYHskyPaIbFSk3DVEEaeP9KTDQJFdvYBaE0EAYLmx3P2DNnSg50y2GKpiDrosWPzr4JCU74qC-VKXqBStgD9abTBejqRteD0pDRGfw3bc5em0rI9GrGudXfXQYmtMUFNBBwhQWQNJKSbrmLFFk0u7kmhL13oe9_Pfz8Az8f_OmPVr9QVWEXbME/w360-h640/blog1215_caveoutview.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7dz_tq2m0SKi5yma890nhMnnJUWryffBjEYulN9Tpn_Hm2vXr3YuGR_4CaSM-YaoJF93ygpY7HnP2g8J-gyG1lNLqmFOZtRnGJ6jgMbNfO61NSNHcL3kXBAUNfLXs_TJZdfhamEmagoxexMSUXDx3qEaE40YavcXKqORLt7lovEyBvLIki5ju6Vt0WIc/s4032/blog1215_caveinview1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7dz_tq2m0SKi5yma890nhMnnJUWryffBjEYulN9Tpn_Hm2vXr3YuGR_4CaSM-YaoJF93ygpY7HnP2g8J-gyG1lNLqmFOZtRnGJ6jgMbNfO61NSNHcL3kXBAUNfLXs_TJZdfhamEmagoxexMSUXDx3qEaE40YavcXKqORLt7lovEyBvLIki5ju6Vt0WIc/w360-h640/blog1215_caveinview1.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDljC4jMCaKY-vLcu1x4_KdKLJaKPfKviTA-SMmOQCoJnwyj5fAY0jHq_HafgrU20n3AhfaGxp2dlNUwvMOUHnhWfS8hyphenhyphenLrl18Df0t-s3vSrdR5NruiWdIYRiffH9uGKtY8MRee7bvT8pGr6XUEWxUxm65fMdsnyEmPFSX8q0-MP8xYcp0Qz8VC1ZCtZ0/s4032/blog1215_caveinview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDljC4jMCaKY-vLcu1x4_KdKLJaKPfKviTA-SMmOQCoJnwyj5fAY0jHq_HafgrU20n3AhfaGxp2dlNUwvMOUHnhWfS8hyphenhyphenLrl18Df0t-s3vSrdR5NruiWdIYRiffH9uGKtY8MRee7bvT8pGr6XUEWxUxm65fMdsnyEmPFSX8q0-MP8xYcp0Qz8VC1ZCtZ0/w360-h640/blog1215_caveinview2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The rock feature. The cave is at the left side.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9LOvyS6R2HLCjmeIaOZ9vuHGbZxNNIi8caACdtd2rSiBJEW34wXlkpPORvf9C-5oW2FpP5cEYu1xoNWBLn6Cj8GfibuctbUggfgxfMrcSZfWnJwjiT58_bFZWR_HH-u6IUH8xstE8qirhBHchLZ9QkxAe1A_4MmTwpMzsXchv9HCsEastBj4wSE_ljK/s4032/blog1215_caverockfeature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9LOvyS6R2HLCjmeIaOZ9vuHGbZxNNIi8caACdtd2rSiBJEW34wXlkpPORvf9C-5oW2FpP5cEYu1xoNWBLn6Cj8GfibuctbUggfgxfMrcSZfWnJwjiT58_bFZWR_HH-u6IUH8xstE8qirhBHchLZ9QkxAe1A_4MmTwpMzsXchv9HCsEastBj4wSE_ljK/w640-h360/blog1215_caverockfeature.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>By the way, it seemed like in Popova Shapka (which was closed at the time) there might also be some caves. At least you can see a big hole (even if not deep) here:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4-4gQeb4TG7nZ0j6SrNwgmNrDQJSLyW6YnXhU3Am4Sc5eDxO6bAs2HStaO4diND4cKUIjh_97fc1zbwFKiYIeKrtkOnwpnAOlBg6WAwm6_kp_wLIFgO63wuWB8farvK29Hi76JZNwrXfCvJMrnu1aA9hSEknKTyWGUOLUE7fR04j0GiR51z5BwteGl1p/s4032/blog1215_popavaoverview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4-4gQeb4TG7nZ0j6SrNwgmNrDQJSLyW6YnXhU3Am4Sc5eDxO6bAs2HStaO4diND4cKUIjh_97fc1zbwFKiYIeKrtkOnwpnAOlBg6WAwm6_kp_wLIFgO63wuWB8farvK29Hi76JZNwrXfCvJMrnu1aA9hSEknKTyWGUOLUE7fR04j0GiR51z5BwteGl1p/w640-h360/blog1215_popavaoverview.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6CSdZQj9pr5qQTEdK4Ry1Fszz0aTaObGLuQv-3-GJsETKonPpEJXfDPiDLENJvJXmiByLVwfxnqNOTrQmAO-fMzjK3pfJxsxmB6gB0hKikkIfbwGdLVbzpnUE-uKcnv9qEsSSXPYu9cF50iD6UCdHhEnU21Jws-ExEtgkmIInz-1yT016_UFjujtRiED/s4032/blog1215_popovadetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6CSdZQj9pr5qQTEdK4Ry1Fszz0aTaObGLuQv-3-GJsETKonPpEJXfDPiDLENJvJXmiByLVwfxnqNOTrQmAO-fMzjK3pfJxsxmB6gB0hKikkIfbwGdLVbzpnUE-uKcnv9qEsSSXPYu9cF50iD6UCdHhEnU21Jws-ExEtgkmIInz-1yT016_UFjujtRiED/w640-h360/blog1215_popovadetail.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. </p></div>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1843350996698492659.post-53463592416296615632024-01-01T14:04:00.000-08:002024-01-01T14:04:59.196-08:00Villa Bisera saunas<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhJ0qOWPgKw3HMF6mTTNGfMFd8xwfg2MF1W_8HeqnE4Foqe9p65DD3XUBgfK6faFUCOPD-h8W8oRWj6Lu7wKsQmCPDZC4bffJBYiQ-Mg-gguM4aQ9E0j0qpH29i-2SltiEmS88swJ0_RiUkMwDsLlLdKTzjIWjItT1ICVyYXrRMgOj0kxoTjESWE_QluN/s4032/blog1214_window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhJ0qOWPgKw3HMF6mTTNGfMFd8xwfg2MF1W_8HeqnE4Foqe9p65DD3XUBgfK6faFUCOPD-h8W8oRWj6Lu7wKsQmCPDZC4bffJBYiQ-Mg-gguM4aQ9E0j0qpH29i-2SltiEmS88swJ0_RiUkMwDsLlLdKTzjIWjItT1ICVyYXrRMgOj0kxoTjESWE_QluN/w480-h640/blog1214_window.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p>Lake Ohrid is a wonderful, large lake in southern part of North Macedonia. Very clear water! I wanted to recommend a hotel on the east side, few kilometers from the town of Ohrid. The Villa Bisera is a nice hotel, but I was particularly struck by their saunas in the hotel rooms. In the summer they also have outdoor pools.</p><p>I particularly liked the window to the living room from the sauna, like a painting in the living room wall. See the picture above. </p><p>Other pictures below:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28H9HagVuBCpUkbwK7PBefXKcaZhPSPOzZde9HNhHwBJddpE56TLe4h2RA8f5wllDr21xOJlK9NNbffY2JTZZnIK9MZCwlq2z9t8yOC_j9vaWwn_ALop8VrTOM9iz6qJMsrP3055j71wEfohmpedieV3ddb9DlXO6LVIq3ZV59sSa1qjAZMWmyECEwU4w/s4032/blog1214_sauna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28H9HagVuBCpUkbwK7PBefXKcaZhPSPOzZde9HNhHwBJddpE56TLe4h2RA8f5wllDr21xOJlK9NNbffY2JTZZnIK9MZCwlq2z9t8yOC_j9vaWwn_ALop8VrTOM9iz6qJMsrP3055j71wEfohmpedieV3ddb9DlXO6LVIq3ZV59sSa1qjAZMWmyECEwU4w/w480-h640/blog1214_sauna.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BNZuX97oTpxq5R5xfL6AUmIaqkok2QW1YdSfmmsM-2jhUplmlF7aksGCcfp_6MWogNYcWLadyLzJo8DZsQCz7W0e2xqX5lbyTuNor-ASG9d1jZfMBKwJpOd3pebfY6ou7hnqTIDG5yIMUk19k1_aIYnpXqI_9xdfgd_74kbmXFoEKCxWVjtYlxtrCkaO/s4032/blog1214_bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BNZuX97oTpxq5R5xfL6AUmIaqkok2QW1YdSfmmsM-2jhUplmlF7aksGCcfp_6MWogNYcWLadyLzJo8DZsQCz7W0e2xqX5lbyTuNor-ASG9d1jZfMBKwJpOd3pebfY6ou7hnqTIDG5yIMUk19k1_aIYnpXqI_9xdfgd_74kbmXFoEKCxWVjtYlxtrCkaO/w480-h640/blog1214_bath.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kvw5OTZak4LGxQKK0Q5Ii0H2QsFJyZCYP_nFN_2hb-alJ95ra2oFw4xpnN7sSujtcQhaP95JskqzlxwoC5yDwJjo44wJA6yfUdb9m9X-pXmambf7kFCL4A08mqMcVfiXs-nHu3pItAZwCfTy3K-MAuDcIvdw2HY3XjrPMmGqACjP9oBrS0LZHsiptH1y/s4032/blog1214_pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kvw5OTZak4LGxQKK0Q5Ii0H2QsFJyZCYP_nFN_2hb-alJ95ra2oFw4xpnN7sSujtcQhaP95JskqzlxwoC5yDwJjo44wJA6yfUdb9m9X-pXmambf7kFCL4A08mqMcVfiXs-nHu3pItAZwCfTy3K-MAuDcIvdw2HY3XjrPMmGqACjP9oBrS0LZHsiptH1y/w480-h640/blog1214_pool.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Funnily enough, the sauna controller is exactly the same one as I have at home, so it was easy to use :-)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Wsb4sjjnFyfgcm2QfgpntRksAJSiLjaHDZXs4b1u5l2VCOgNLhEUeBXZBg8yUMhH1fWTvIZn6o8kdq-CKkM1cf3uD8pThiCjeSNc6lFitY32cJ3QH7YaAjVlDk-E7mIvTqgftnXDcw4tsw_9nhgHGK0Pqr8FEsBDDdK1BP5AmGRfK2wwwoHE_qnoF7MI/s4032/blog1214_controller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Wsb4sjjnFyfgcm2QfgpntRksAJSiLjaHDZXs4b1u5l2VCOgNLhEUeBXZBg8yUMhH1fWTvIZn6o8kdq-CKkM1cf3uD8pThiCjeSNc6lFitY32cJ3QH7YaAjVlDk-E7mIvTqgftnXDcw4tsw_9nhgHGK0Pqr8FEsBDDdK1BP5AmGRfK2wwwoHE_qnoF7MI/w400-h300/blog1214_controller.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The hotel coordinates are <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/mbDZqFSP8cMjkTq89" target="_blank">N 41.0481218 E 20.8032626</a>. Their website is in this <a href="https://vilabisera.com" target="_blank">link</a>.</p><p>I can also recommend an excellent restaurant, the Bisera (not in the hotel, it is down from the hotel by the main road and lake front).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcB0eqG14mx-ieprIP7gdTTpRoYNLV4lJgmix6a1jKtTMdN-V5d-A1fQOKROFMDEYYjKmPdsdTv07Hj4rbraqYmk7SQXGRjiXwDLCHlGIZi2a573ykZ1IypjXIeValTAyBE6aqRfnMXw8NtoRod6nOcQw0_-tr5XnNRdY8CjplBSLMK8Y1-3uNvsmk2zy/s4032/blog1214_resto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcB0eqG14mx-ieprIP7gdTTpRoYNLV4lJgmix6a1jKtTMdN-V5d-A1fQOKROFMDEYYjKmPdsdTv07Hj4rbraqYmk7SQXGRjiXwDLCHlGIZi2a573ykZ1IypjXIeValTAyBE6aqRfnMXw8NtoRod6nOcQw0_-tr5XnNRdY8CjplBSLMK8Y1-3uNvsmk2zy/w400-h300/blog1214_resto.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>For more sauna and swimming stories, check out <a href="https://planetswimmer.com">planetswimmer.com</a> and <a href="https://saunablogger.cool">saunablogger.cool</a> websites! Read more urban exploration stories from <a href="https://theurbanexplorer.net">theurbanexplorer.net</a>, and other underground stories from <a href="https://planetcaver.net">planetcaver.net</a>. Read the full Planetskier series at <a href="https://planetskier.net" target="_blank">planetskier.net</a>, or all blog articles from <a href="https://planetskier.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Blogspot</a> or <a href="https://www.tetongravity.com/community/profile/planetskier#posts" target="_blank">TGR</a>. Photos and text (c) 2023 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. I never take photos of other saunagoers or swimmers and visit when there is simply no one else or the facility has been closed or booked only for me.</p>jariarkkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16150761098892837329noreply@blogger.com0