"WELCOME!!!" kiiminki's Profile

"I come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow".

This is a line taken from "Immigrant song" by Led Zeppelin. We don't have hot springs up here, but at least we've got midnight sun...

I was born i Soer-Varanger municipality in the previous century. Before the moonlanding, but after Elvis finished highscool...

Bugoeynes from the other side

I grew up in a little fishingvillage called Bugoeynes (Pykeija in finnish), about 100 kilometers from Kirkenes. As for almost all of the inhabitants of Bugoeynes, my ancestors came from Finland about 150 years ago. If you know finnish geography, you have already guessed where some of my ancestors came from. That's right: Kiiminki... In fact, I found out on internet which farm they came from, and the names of my ancestors back to the 17th century. Thank God for the internet... Being a descendant of finnish immigrants, you can call me a kven. If you want to know more about our history, you can go to:
http://www.kveeniland.com/english.htm or http://home.online.no/~solhanse/kvenuk.htm

Bugoeynes again

For some beautiful pictures of Pykeija: http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/matkat/sivut/PYKEIJA.HTM

Anyway, I've lived all my life i Soer-Varanger, except for 5 years in Lillehammer (1990-1995).

This is the perfect place to live if you're into fishing, hunting, or just like spending time in nature. We have 4000 lakes, 300 rivers etc., which open up plenty of fishing opportunities and the municipality?s 4000 square kilometres open up for interesting outdoor activities. Lots of space up here! If you're into urban life, or you would like to get a tan, I would recommend some place else... Climate: Subarctic dry continental climate with cold winters and pretty warm summers.

We share borders with Finland and Russia, which makes us a multicultural society. Lots of finnish and russian people living here. I believe that about 5 percent (500 people) of our population are russians. Not sure about the finnish share.

Soer-Varanger forms the border between east and west. It is a cultural, biological, zoological and botanical border and these circumstances make Kirkenes and its surroundings an exotic and exciting area. In the municipality you will also find the western extreme of The Siberian Taiga.

So if you take the Costal steamer from Bergen to Kirkenes... Why don't stay here for a little while, instead of just taking the boat back on the southbound route, or going some place else by plane. This isn't just the turning point of the Costal steamer, you know... Come on, give us a chance!!! Sorry if I seem desperate, but we deserve it ;)

I hope to see you here soon!

Ranvika

This is a tiny fishing village, where I spent my childhood summers. It used to be full of life during the "salmon-season". Our cabin to the right. Today I can't believe that a family of six spent the whole summer in such a small cabin... But of course, we didn't stay inside to play nintendo...

My uncle

This is a nice place, if you're into bird-watching.

Where seagulls nest...

My son, Vegard

He was born september 28th 2006. This is the picture from his passport. 4 months old and a passport already... I was 23 I think, before I got my first passport. We're going to Thailand at the end of March. Maybe I have to make him a virtualtourist page...

Kirkenes on National Geographic adventure list

National Geographic Adventure picks the 25 best new outfitted trips for 2008.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventure-travel/europe/norway.html

So what are you waiting for!? Book a trip to Kirkenes...:)

Intro Updated Nov 9, 2007
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Personal Pages (1)

Written Aug 3, 2004

7 photos

SAME VIEW - DIFFERENT WEATHER

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (17)

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TheIsland Sep 15, 2007 at 4:55 AM

Hi Robert! yes the simple life still around Koh Tao. might be changing about have more accomodations now as u been here about 10 years ago. I love it there as well. so many amazing underwater ! Bring your son come over here to see Thailand ! cheers. Lin
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sprdak11 Jul 17, 2007 at 6:48 AM

Hei Robert. Takk for gratulasjonen. Jeg ønsker deg en fin sommer . Hilsen :)
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janetanne Feb 23, 2007 at 11:37 AM

Hi. I saw your link on my friend Galatea's page. Can you swim up there in the summer? It's very nice here in Greece. have you ever visited Greece?
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sinequanon Feb 20, 2007 at 8:49 AM

a lovely little traveller you got there!:-) his eyes are so big and intense! wow! enjoy yourselves in Thailand!
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denise999 Feb 4, 2007 at 12:07 PM

my name is denise live in sitka alaska I like your pictures/ words hope to go to kikernes area any suggestions? leaving Mar1st travelling for 3 months want to meet Saami people. on my island are many native alaskans pictures soon you can check out thanks
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norvegiasara Nov 8, 2006 at 7:56 AM

HI!i was in varanger zone last year and i was really surprised of its beauty!i wish to be back soon!
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Cristian_Uluru Aug 3, 2006 at 12:29 AM

Hi, thanks very much for your visit!! I love Norway. I hope to come to Kirkenes in the future! Ciao
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rajeevderoy Jul 23, 2006 at 6:56 AM

Could Led Zep have been referring to Iceland instead. They have northern lights and hot springs. Check out trekearth.com/gallery/Europe... for a fantastic pic of this.
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tini58de May 24, 2006 at 1:34 PM

Oh, I love the album - same view different weather! Absolutely awesome! Greetings from Germany!
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drolkar Apr 30, 2006 at 3:24 PM

A lovely opening photo on your homepage - never been in your part of the world! Really nice travelogue with the photos of different weather, too... Belated birthday greetings from Rome ! - Catherine