It is quite spectacular to be here at the ICEHOTEL. The ice is very beautiful, it's bluish and very clear. The design is starting to work. Getting used to the darkness, since it is only light for a couple of hours and the sun does not get over the horizon anymore.

It's a lot of fun to be with all the different Artists. Lots of chatting and also good information on how to use the ice of those that have been here before. Food, hospitality and lodging are excellent. This is a well organized outfit. Each day brings more Artists. Today a Dutch group arrived, such fun for me!

We traveled via Düsseldorf and visited Stockholm, quite a beautiful city. Out here you really feel the rough lifestyle. One is not really a ‘man’ if one does not shoot, butcher and smoke one’s own reindeer. Traffic is wild with skimobiles going 180 km on the frozen river. Jukkasjarvi must have 3 times more dogs than inhabitants, I am dying to do some dog-sledding and also ride a snowmobile.

But, alas we have still quite a job to do and the fact that it is so warm does not really help. We need some good frost so all the ice in the design glues together well. At the same time we already heard that once the wind shifts to the North the temperature drops dramatically, down to -30 C.

Discovery Channel is filming and interviewing, and following us and other Artists.  The documentary is about building the ICEHOTEL and all the Artists. They will leave next Tuesday and they are also a little stuck with the warm weather, it slows down the construction here a lot, and guest start arriving December 8th... Yikes!

CBS TO BROADCAST LIVE UPDATE FROM LAPLAND

Tune into Jim and Vicki at 3PM Tuesday and Thursday