Snö i Skellefteå - Photos from the north of Sweden

Travel

10 Feb

Skellefteå, Sweden. The little municipality of 72,000 located in the North of Sweden is a peaceful retreat from the bustle of big cities. I would know, coming from Sydney where you’re essentially crammed together amongst 5 million human bodies.

I like the pace of life in Skellefteå. I like that it’s peaceful and quiet. I like that you can sit by the riverbank uninterrupted and get lost in your own thoughts. It’s the feeling of being alone but not feeling lonely. It’s the way the sunlight catches the little speckles of glitter, illuminating the snow.

Even in winter when the night descends earlier than you’d like it to, there’s still something spectacular to observe. How the fiery red sunsets emit a comforting glow, like a warm cozy blanket over the icy landscape.

Or being able to chase a flicker of a solar flare in the night sky. Foot to the pedal, breezing past endless birch trees lining the highway. That heart-stopping moment when you find the magical emerald curtains, dancing in the sky. It’s the kind of magic that makes you believe there’s more to this life than the flesh on our bones.

It’s the euphoric feeling of being able to endure -20°C weather. Braving the cold to have a leisurely stroll through the untold stories of old church towns. The brightly-coloured wooden windows that bring a desolate winter landscape to life.

I’ve never noticed the little details before, but Skellefteå made me stop and actually appreciate the small things in life.

Here are my favourite photos from my trip to Skellefteå.