4-Xtremes – Part 6: Christmas in September at the Polar Circle

Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour

Just like a horror movie.

In Rovaniemi Andrea and Mike find themselves surrounded by a lot of hype. Read about their alternative programme for yourselves!

Cleaning the panels: in the North where the sun is low in the sky, Andrea and Mike pay particular attention to keeping the solar energy system free of foliage and dirt so that it can achieve maximum output.


A few days ago, we had a really weird experience. We were looking forward to crossing the Polar Circle in Lapland’s capital city of Rovaniemi. But it was very busy and so we fled.

Rovaniemi is the home of Santa Claus. Everything revolves around Father Christmas. There is a theme park and you can hand over your Christmas wishes to him. However when we arrived in the afternoon, he had already gone for the day. And listening to “Jingle Bells” in the sunshine while there was no one in sight seemed like the beginning of a horror movie.


Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.
Every two weeks in Europe, in more remote areas sometimes every day: regularly inspecting their truck is a matter of course for experienced off-road travellers like the Kammermanns.

Vehicle inspection instead of Christmas bustle.

What should we do? Say Adieu – and find a place where we can take a good look at the Axor! After almost 100,000 kilometres we know our truck well. We know, for example, exactly how it should sound. But Mike still inspects it regularly: about every two weeks at the moment, because we’re mostly driving on asphalt roads.

Mike then tips the cab for a visual check of the engine and looks to see if everything is in place and sealed. Once a month we hook up the diagnostic device and if necessary lubricate the truck. Before departure, Mike always walks around the truck to check the perimeter lights in particular.



Only one single defect up to now.

A lot of tools and spare parts, such as a new V-belt for example, are a necessity on-board. We want to be able to repair damage so that we can get to the next workshop. Because even if Mike knows what he’s doing: in practice he can’t do it on his own due to the size and weight of many components.

Whereby we’ve only had one single defect up to now: a melted stationary heater on the last tour in Mongolia. Everything else was just wear. As a result we are very satisfied with our Axor after almost 100,000 kilometres.

And before we forget: we met an elk. There aren’t any photos though, as it fled pretty quickly – just like us in Rovaniemi. We’ll keep at it though!


4-Xtremes – The World Tour.

An unparalleled journey.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.

You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.

You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.

 


Photos: 4-Xtremes

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