Ice sculpting and learning about Lapland – as far as my random activities in London go, these are pretty high up the list! A crazy bunch of travel bloggers converged on the Ice Bar at Below Zero for both last week, courtesy of Cosmos Holidays.
After a quick mingle and sip of delicious cocktails like the Suicide Blonde, we were handed extremely sharp chisels and set the task of creating the polar bear of beauty you see below.
After loudly disclaiming our artistic skills, my teammates Kate, Roma and I set to work. Our enthusiasm was top-notch, although our chiseling may have left a little to be desired… but it was excellent stress-relief!
The hard work was over and it was time to visit the Ice Bar for some -5°C fun. Although there is a similar joint in Auckland, I’d never visited as it seemed a bit of a tourist haven. By contrast, Ice Bar London is somewhat tucked away, making it the perfect spot for pre-drinks or a date with a difference! The ice artwork changes regularly and the cocktail list was extensive – and delicious!
After our allotted 40 minutes, we returned to the warmth to learn more about Lapland. I knew that it was reasonably far north, but in fact most of Lapland lies within the Arctic Circle, making it an ideal place to experience all-day sun (which, owing to London’s darkness, sounds very tempting at the moment) or the glory of the Northern Lights. I’m also very keen to check it out for the reindeer… and Santa of course!
Massive thanks to Cosmos Holidays and Ice Hotel for hosting a fantastic night!