Run Run Rudolph

Our last full day in Finland was spent hanging out with a certain Dasher, Dancer, and Prancer at one of the local reindeer sanctuaries near to where we were staying in Lapland.

We’d heard so many incredible things about seeing them in real life, and being someone who has never seen a reindeer anywhere other than a Christmas card and wrapping paper, I was really looking forward to seeing them in their natural habitat amongst the snowy scapes.

Although I’m pretty sure Rudolph must have been on annual leave (admittedly, the guy works pretty hard)- it was incredibly special spending a little time with this beautiful bunch and getting to learn a little more about the breed and how they live. For example, did you know that throughout the year reindeers shed their antlers and regrow them? I definitely didn’t, and it certainly gave explanation to why a couple of them were walking around a little lopsided this time of year.

Despite it being pretty freezing, we handed out delicious, ahem, moss (a total delicacy if you have four legs and antlers) and got some beautiful snaps with the animals, before making our way back to the bus to warm up. It all went by too quickly- but felt incredibly fortunate to have been able to squeeze a visit in.