I explore Tromsø beneath the Polar Night before chasing a faint aurora that leaves me disappointed, fascinated and wanting more.
Tromsø – Day 1: The Polar Night
I arrive in Tromsø beneath the Polar Night, carrying heartbreak, airport chaos and the promise of an unforgettable Arctic adventure.
Scandinavia
I head north with old friends for a winter escape shaped by farewells, imagined romance and my first taste of Norway and Finland.
Deep End
My first week as a BST 2 throws me into strokes, advanced cancer and one haunting transplant case that exposes the limits of emergency medicine.
START OF BST 2
I begin BST 2 with more responsibility, a better training programme and a renewed determination to grow without losing my hard-won balance in life.
END OF BST 1
Reflecting on the end of BST1, choosing emergency medicine, keeping travel alive, and proving that medicine and life can coexist.
BST 1 – Q4: Journal Entries
Journal entries from my fourth quarter in my first year of basic emergency training.
T + 365
Back from the Philippines, I return to work renewed, complete my first BST year, pass my ARCP, and bring home one unexpected souvenir.
Manila: The Last Ride
My final day in the Philippines takes me through Intramuros by bamboo bike, from Spanish walls and Rizal history to ghost stories and goodbye.
Siargao – Day 5: Gnarly Waves & Goodbyes
My final morning in Siargao brings a perfect sunrise, wild surf, one last motorbike ride, and a bittersweet goodbye.