Rich and Jemima

Rich and Jemima 🇺🇸 + 🇬🇧 living in 🇶🇦
🎥 Lifestyle vlogs: couple, travel, home content
Say hi! ✉️ [email protected]

15/03/2026

We left Qatar (temporarily) 😞💔

We’d been toying with the idea of leaving Qatar to go travel while the region was semi open/semi shut due to the ongoing missile strikes. We had a go bag, which then turned into a fully packed bag. Whilst we were waiting to decide our next move (stay or go) Rich’s company advised they were pulling us out for a short duration. To be honest I was relieved in once sense because after all he’s American & they are carrying slightly higher risk from targeting. The bangs are also incredibly unnerving as anyone experiencing it will tell you. But also the region is my home.. I wanted to stay in its time of need ..even though I could help in zero capacity! I also felt total “privilege guilt” that we had the oppurtunity to leave when so many in worse circumstances globally don’t.

I felt fraudulent leaving via America too - after all, they are the root cause of the current strikes but also if we could claim back travel expenses and Rich could get some life admin he needed to do in America finished that he’d been putting off, it seemed worth it in the long run. I did warn him I’d be leaving ASAP for Central America. It was also amazing timing because his family were all in one spot on holiday so we could join them for the second half and suprise his niece and nephews 💕

Thank you to everyone who checked on us, we’re thinking about Qatar & the rest of the region daily. Praying that this ends soon 🙏🏽

28/01/2026

This cottage is straight out of a storybook! ❄️ Living on a multi-generational reindeer farm in Lapland means you can really feel the history in those logs!

Most traditional Finnish cottages like this are built using mökki architecture - designed to be compact and efficient to keep the heat in during those -30°C nights. Also, notice the beautiful masonry heater? Believe it or not, sustainably sourced wood fires can actually be better for the environment than standard radiators in remote areas. Pure magic! 🪵✨

Why this setup is so cool:

🇫🇮 The Heritage: Seeing land stay in one family for generations is rare and beautiful.

🔨 The Build: Finnish cottages often use cross-laminated timber or thick logs which provide natural insulation that “breathes” better than modern synthetic materials.

🔥 Fire vs. Radiators: While we usually think of smoke as “bad,” using a high-efficiency masonry stove is a renewable way to heat. Unlike radiators that rely on fossil-fuel-heavy power grids, wood is a local, renewable resource that keeps the carbon cycle closed. 🌍

28/01/2026

A winter wonderland you can actually stay on, in Finnish Lapland 🇫🇮🦌

is a winter dream, but here’s the honest truth before you book!

The Lowdown:

✅ PROS:
👉🏽Unbeatable access to the reindeer (literally outside your door) with a fantastic 2 hour reindeer experience available to book!
👉🏽The Sauna
👉🏽Zero light pollution for perfect Northern Lights viewing as long as the clouds are clear!
👉🏽Close to some fantastic walks/hikes
👉🏽Truly authentic Finland!

❌ CONS:
👉🏽It’s remote! You’ll need a car or a pre-booked transfer, and the “Arctic quiet” can be a shock if you’re used to city life!
👉🏽You’ll need to pre plan grabbing groceries to cook in your accomadation as there’s no grocery store close by.
👉🏽The showers are located next to the sauna and are therefore communal.

Local Life:
Finnish communities in the North are built on Sisu(resilient grit). You’ll see traditional wooden architecture designed to trap heat and community hubs centered around the local lake. In Lapland, the land isn’t just scenery - it’s a way of life where nature dictates the daily schedule. 🌲

Our verdict:
If you want an authentic Finnish escape away from the tourist traps of Rovaniemi, this is it!

Would you brave -20°C for this, or are you staying by the fireplace? Let us know in the comments! 🔥🪵👇🏽

28/01/2026

📍Lapland capital city, Rovaniemi: Your base for grocery shopping at 66 degrees North! 🛍️🛒

We went in for bread & milk, but ended up with a basket full of Finnish treats we can’t even pronounce 🇫🇮🧺

Did you know Finland has a “national failure day” where they celebrate eating weird snacks? Which Finnish food is the most crazy?! Comment below 👇🏽

28/01/2026

Why the “Local” way is the only way... ❄️🦌

There’s a difference between seeing Lapland and feeling it! While the big tourist parks have their place, spending a morning on a local families farm is where the real magic happens. Here’s why we always choose local:

✨ Heritage over hype: You aren’t just a ticket holder; you’re a guest in a home… you’ll hear stories passed down through generations of herders.
✨ Happy Reindeer: These animals aren’t just “attractions”, they are family members - there is no such thing as a wild Reindeer in Finland. Every single one of them has an owner & you can see the bond in the way they’re cared for and fed.
✨ The “Real” Lappish life: From learning the authentic art of the lasso to sipping cocoa made in a family kitchen, every moment feels personal and unscripted.
✨ Supporting the community: Choosing local ensures that your visit directly supports the preservation of Arctic culture and traditional livelihoods.

It’s quieter, it’s slower, and it’s a whole lot more magical. Come for the reindeer, stay for the stories! 🪵🔥☕️

26/01/2026

-20 but at least I didn’t complain 🤷🏽‍♀️



26/01/2026

The silence you can only find at -20°C... ❄️🏔️

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when the air gets cold enough to turn your breath into crystals. Most people stay by the fire, but the real reward is found at the top of the trail.

Why we brave the cold for a winter hike:

🌲 The Ultimate Mental Reset: The "white noise" of a snowy forest is real. The snow absorbs sound, creating a level of silence that lowers cortisol and calms the mind instantly.
🌬️ Arctic Oxygen: Cold air is denser and crisper. Every breath feels like a "cleanse" for your lungs, boosting your energy levels and waking up every cell in your body.
🔥 The "Afterburn": Hiking in snow requires more effort, meaning your heart works harder and you burn more calories—which makes that post-hike hot cocoa taste ten times better!
🖼️ Views you can’t see in summer: Without the leaves and with the sun sitting low on the horizon, the light (the famous "Blue Hour") turns the world into a pastel painting you have to see to believe.

It’s not just a hike; it’s Arctic meditation. Just remember: layer up, respect the trail, and keep your camera ready for that summit glow!🧣✨

Osoite

Rovaniemi

Nettisivu

Hälytykset

Tiedä ensimmäisenä ja anna meille oikeus lähettää sinulle sähköpostitse uutisia ja promootioita Rich and Jemima :ltä. Sähköpostiosoitettasi ei käytetä muihin tarkoituksiin, ja voit perua milloin tahansa.

Oikopolut

Jaa

Kategoria