First time in Europe @ Finland



🛫 Finland
Dear Rose,

After my family sent me off, I arrived at the boarding gate and was told that my flight from Malaysia was 5 hours delayed and expecting my connecting flights were all disrupted. After rested in the lounge and redeemed the food voucher given to the passengers as "compensation", we finally departed from KL to Qatar. 

Arrived in Qatar. 

Unfortunately, according to the airline counter, the next direct flight to Finland will be few days later. The new arrangement was that I would fly to Copenhagen first before going to Finland. One more stop.  

Look from the bright side, I had the opportunity to feel the 2022 FIFA World Cup vibe when I while waiting for my next flight at the airport. And we were given access to the lounge and food voucher as compensation similar to what happened in KLIA. 

//

What a relief.

Due to the long hours of travelling and waiting, I almost burst into tears when I finally arrived in Finland. All I wished was to get home sooner. And I made it after total 41 hours travelling with 3 connections!! (initially it was supposed to be 21 hours 2 connections)

But ...

My check-in luggage went missing ... And I received it 62 hours later with the help from Finnair staff. 

Winter without luggage - you must be kidding! I managed to survive with help from Finland friends, like I had winter wear lent from Oulu trombonist Juuka's wife.


My sweet ex-bf (now fiance) got me roses and welcome sign with my name on it when he picked me up from the airport.

I think I fell in love with Finland at first sight.

Powdery snow, beautiful sunset, Christmas trees, Moomin characters, blueberry juice, Marimekko pillow, Finnair, warm and helpful people, etc.

Everything seemed perfect to me.

Appreciate my love for cooking the best salmon soup (Lohikeitto) for me 💕
I can eat this everyday - 幸福

Following his to work - Oulu Symphony Orchestra trombone room.


I attended their Beethoven's Symphony No.9 concert at their concert hall before travelling to Rovaniemi for their orchestra tour concert. 



🚗 Rovaniemi, Lapland


Reindeer road traffic sign in Rovaniemi in Lapland.

Beautiful scenery along the 3 hours driveway to the North. 

The Rovaniemi Church where Oulu Symphony Orchestra performed.

- 20°C in Rovaniemi

Reindeer burger, reindeer salami pizza, local Lapland craft beer, ginger beer

We spent our next two days at the Santa Claus' Village



Santa's Salmon Place

Secret gift from Santa


//

Oulu Symphony Orchestra year end party

Set up and decorated the venue with Wen Jing and Maija 


Gingerbread on salmon. Questionable ... lol




//

🛬 Helsinki, Finland

Sibelius Monument









Malaysian welcome lunch 🇲🇾 

Rössypottu from Oulu, Tavern Pike perch, Lappish sauteed reindeer, Finnish berry wine - rhubarb white wine





🍷 New Year Eve - 2023


Supper for movie night. But I fell asleep 10 minutes later ...




Last dinner before I flew back to Malaysia - Viikinkiravintola Harald Oulu




//

After living together for 3 weeks, I think we did not have much difficult time learning how to share a living space and function as a unit together. We shared housework. He did most of it and I helped him with those parts that I am capable of doing. He is good at cooking, while I am good at decluttering the house. 

Little incidents happened in the winter like dropping wedding band and car key into the snow really caused us big troubles. Thankfully we did not start blaming each other when things happened, instead we tried different solutions to solve problems together.

I remember asking him what would happen if we could not find the ring, and he said no point spoiling our relationship because of one ring. We can always get another ring, but it's hard to save a broken relationship. 


Thank God, we found our ring at last.


💖 Our relationship always comes first. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

03/52:6th Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival

💮 2021 gratitude ---> 2022 mood board

You're safe