This was our last full day in Haparanda, and we were lucky that the snow finally stopped and the skies cleared for us this morning. We got ready early and made a last visit to Taavolagården for coffee and cakes.
It's so homey inside, they have this large cupboard filled with different cups for your coffee or tea.
Today's cakes. Carrot cake for breakfast was just the thing. Robert had butter cake and Sydney had a spice cake.
Taavolagården
It was cold enough to frost over the windows today.
Robert said this looks like a Wes Anderson cafe.
Our usual table at Taavolagården
The sun was finally up. Until next year!
Up the road from my favorite cafe in the world is a place called Kukkolaforsen. It's an old fishing village on the rapids of the Tornio river. With no winds and very light powdery snow, the trees were stunning in their fur coats as the sun came up and turned everything pink and gold.
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Kukkolaforsen
Robert took a few shots of the trees in the light as we drove back into Haparanda towards the Finnish border for sunset and some lunch. With the sun so low it's blinding to drive west.
View from the passenger seat, taken by Robert
View from the passenger seat, taken by Robert
View from the passenger seat, taken by Robert
From the banks of the river, just at the Finnish border, we watched the sun set over the rail bridge. The trees kept their fur coats on until just after we got home, when the wind picked up and the snow came blowing down.
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
Sunset from the banks of the Tornio river
The only Haparanda treat Sydney had left to try was a burger. Robert has a deep affection for "hamburger sauce" and after eating at the local place, I understand why.
Haparanda burger, extra sauce
Tonight we'll try and get one more sauna in, have a nice dinner with the family then get ready to head back south for the final leg of our trip. I'm already thinking about when we'll be back.