Here is a letter from one of them:
I’m desperate for English conversation practice!
In exchange, I can be your guide in Kandalaksha.
I can meet you at the train station, help you check into a hotel, recommend a place to eat, suggest places to visit, take you there, keep you from getting lost, and in every other way make you stay in Kandalaksha pleasant and comfortable. All totally free if you speak English to me and encourage me to do the same.
Information Center of the Village of Chupa invites enquiries about the North-Karelian region.
Address: Ulitsa Korguyeva 7, office 8.
Tel./fax: +7 81439 41144
Mobile: +7 921 523 4498
E-mail: basincouncil@mail.ru
Chupa. Photo by Igor Georgievski
The Center is operated by the Karelian Regional Public Organization in Support of Sustained Development and Nature Protection “Basin Council of the North-Karelian Coast”.
There a traveller can get the following types of support:
You may want to get close to the border to see WWII and “Winter war” artifacts like the German of Finnish cemetery by Old Salla. If so, you’ll need a special permit.
(And you are welcomed to ask for my assistance in obtaining these permits.)
Here is some recent info on where to go for these permits:
This article from varandej.livejournal.com appeared to be unusually to the point, giving a comprehensive view/feel for the city. Thus I have translated/adapted it for your information and enjoyment.
Kandalaksha
About 500 photos from 30 Murmansk region photographers. Photos from hard-to-access places on the shores of White and Barents sea, along the Ponoy River, on the Rybachy Peninsula etc. Photos of unique natural phenomena (aurora borealis and others), rare plants and animals, mineralogical monuments, culturalnd historic sites (labyrinths, Saami seids, stone carvings of Kanozero and paintings of the Rybachy Peninsula), and also photos of the Kola Peninsula from space.
The text was written by the members of the Kola Center of Nature Preservation. Well-known scientists and regional history experts acted as consultants in the course of developing the text.
Extensive illustrated material does not simply describe natural objects but helps in understanding northern ecosystems. The book shows just how succeptible to human influence northern nature is, calling to reader’s attention to the significance of many phenomena often left unnoticed.
Here is a summary of attractions that await a hurried traveller through our town.
The classics: museums and souvenirs
Museum of Kandalaksha HistoryFor nature lovers
This neat new ride sharing system is here. Asking prices Moscow to Kandalaksha are no more than $100, which is dirt cheap. Moscow to St. Petersburg is under $30.
The highest I’ve seen, and no hassles to load. The map does not appear to be old either. See http://vk.com/doc10313313_274995642?hash=45e612f534fcc2018d&dl=51f79608ff87eb5a40
The center’s director Ludmila is a big fan of seals, thus this emblem
Ulitsa Pyatidesyatiletiye Oktyabrya 8, across from the Belomorye hotel. Open Tue. to Saturday 10am to 6pm. Tel.: +7(81533) 94046, e-mail: kandtic@gmail.com (if important send me a copy to uncle_pasha@kandalaksha.su).