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Introducing Ivalo
Ivalo (Sámi: Avvil) has all the shops and services you would expect in a small Finnish town, but it makes no pretence of being a tourist destination, apart from having an airport used mainly by incoming tour groups.
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Ivalo does have a unique subculture though: gold-panners. This is the nearest 'big smoke' for hermits who spend their time panning the Ivalojoki for gold. Hotel Kultahippu is one place where any gold found is traded for booze, and where incredible tales are told before panners return to their solitary, secretive hunt for the mother lode.
Opposite the Spar supermarket on the main road, Inarilainen (663 311; Ivalontie 7; 9am-4.30pm, to 7pm in summer) is the local weekly news-magazine shop, but also serves as a tourist information point.
Last updated: Oct 3, 2008
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