Arctic Atmosphere

Sampo - Arctic Ice Breaker - http://www.sampotours.com

We were very fortunate to cruise the icy sea off the coast of Kemi, Finland in "Sampo", a "Cold War" era Arctic Ice Breaker that kept the seaway open in the Gulf of Bothnia for nearly 30 years.

Now the Sampo plays daily host during winter and early spring to tourists from around the world. Some come to try a swim in the Arctic waters in a thermal dry suit that floats you on the near frozen water, others like ourselves to "walk on water". There were many different atmospheres at play, the cold harsh Arctic but on a clear blue sky day. The warm cosy dining area with the best salmon soup I have ever tried. People swimming but staying dry... all a bit odd but fun at the same time.

Then there was an interesting mix of tour parties, Russians / Germans / Japanese and some adventurous Americans. All sharing the confines within the Sampo and the vast ice sheet outside, and kept on a firm and friendly timeline that the Finns do so well.

Of our travels to date, the atomsphere aboard the "Sampo" has been one of the highlights - for more panoramas of Sampo and other highlights of Finland see http://www.360foto.com or http://www.sampotours.com

Europe / Finland

Lat: 65° 40' 20" N
Long: 24° 27' 47" E

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: Unknown / Undeclared.

Nikon D70s, Nikkor 10.5mm, Nodal Ninja3 head,(rotator fixed)Panomachine motorised VRHead, 055pro Manfrotto tripod with ball head. Stitched with PTGUI, lots of PP in photoshop then pano2qtvr to make the movie...