I lead the boys into a Lapland blizzard, conquer Pirunkuru and end the trip with one final reckless adventure.
Lapland – Day 3: Santa’s Village
I endure Santa’s tourist trap, find peace on a reindeer sleigh and say a bittersweet goodbye beneath the Arctic snow.
Lapland – Day 2: Ice Beneath, Fire Above
I cross a frozen Lapland lake in brutal cold before a dancing green aurora and a bittersweet birthday celebration.
Lapland – Day 1: Pink Skies and Green Lights
I endure a freezing journey into Finnish Lapland before an unexpected aurora brings thoughts of home and those I’ve lost.
Tromsø – Day 4: Beyond Time
I explore Tromsø from above, get lost in timeless Sommarøy, and lose myself in the brutal history of Arctic exploration.
Tromsø – Day 3: Into the Arctic
I brave Arctic darkness and a blizzard from Tromsø to Skjervøy, where my long-awaited encounter with wild orcas finally happens.
Tromsø – Day 2: The Aurora Hunt
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.
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.