bookrebus Chapter 361 The Nordic Finale
Chapter 361 The Nordic Finale
June 18th, morning.
When the plane landed at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, they were greeted by a colder chill than that of Iceland.
At minus ten degrees Celsius, the perceived temperature is even lower.
The Finnish tour guide was already selected while in Iceland.
Tang Yan and Fan Binbin served as tour guides.
The hotel is the Camp Hotel, located in downtown Helsinki.
The hotel lobby is decorated in a typical Scandinavian classical style, with dark wood veneer paired with crystal chandeliers and birch wood burning in the fireplace.
The tour guide pairing of Fan Binbin and Tang Yan represents a different style altogether.
Fan Binbin is generous and decisive, and never hesitates to spend money when necessary.
Tang Yan is lively and outgoing; she can't tear herself away from anything fun or beautiful.
When the two of them got together, Fan Binbin managed the money, while Tang Yan was in charge of entertaining everyone.
Helsinki Cathedral and Market Square, January 19.
Helsinki Cathedral stands atop Senate Square, its green dome strikingly visible against the gray winter sky.
Dozens of stone steps lead from the square to the church entrance. The snow has been cleared away, but a thin layer of ice still covers the steps.
The square was paved with gray-white flagstones and surrounded by low neoclassical buildings, with snow covering the rooftops and treetops.
There were few tourists; only a few Finnish locals, bundled up in thick coats, hurried by.
Next, we went to the market square.
The winter market is not as lively as the summer market; only a dozen or so stalls are still open, selling reindeer hides, Finnish knives, handmade woolen hats, and grilled salmon.
Fan Binbin bought himself a dark green woolen hat and Fu Yibai a pair of reindeer skin gloves.
January 20, Rock Church.
The Rock Church is one of Helsinki's most unique architectural features.
The entire church was carved out of a single block of granite, and the dome is made of spiraling copper strips, resembling a giant copper snail shell.
January 21, Suomenlinna.
Suomenlinna is a sea fortress built on six islands off the coast of Helsinki, and is a World Heritage Site.
The ferry broke through the ice, crushing the ice on the sea surface with a crashing sound.
The wind was strong, and there were only a few tourists on the ferry deck. The salty smell of the sea mixed with the smell of diesel fuel was particularly pungent in the air, which was almost ten degrees below zero.
Fan Binbin checked everyone's cold-weather gear and nodded in satisfaction.
"Everyone wants to have a good meal tonight."
"Could you treat us to a meal in your name? We could say the boss was kind enough to give us a break after all the filming we did."
Fan Binbin found Fu Yibai with reindeer gloves in hand.
"What are you doing...?"
Bribe me?
"Just tell me if it's okay or not."
Fu Yibai took the gloves and waved his hand helplessly.
"Go."
Fan Binbin gave him a thumbs up, turned around and ran back, like a victorious general returning home.
That evening, one of Helsinki's oldest restaurants was booked out by the cast and crew of the second season of "Divas Hit the Road".
The wine glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.
January 22nd, the last day in Finland.
This morning I went for a walk on the sea ice near Suomenlinna.
In the afternoon, I spent an hour at the Uspenski Church, the largest Orthodox church in Northern Europe.
As evening fell, the seven people went on a shopping spree for Finnish specialties at a supermarket near the hotel.
Moomin merchandise, Fazer chocolate, rye bread.
Fan Binbin, carrying a bag of reindeer jerky, solemnly told the camera that it was a local specialty he brought to Deng Chao.
Tang Yan hesitated in front of the shelf for ten minutes before finally buying a reindeer hide, saying she would put it on her sofa at home.
When it came time to pay, Fan Binbin waved his hand and handed over both bank cards at the same time, prompting everyone to remark once again that having the right boss is the most important thing.
Flying to Sweden tomorrow.
Their trip to Northern Europe is coming to an end.
October 23th, afternoon.
When the plane landed at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, it was snowing lightly.
Stockholm is made up of fourteen islands, with the city scattered among them and connected by bridges.
From the air, the gray-blue sea and white land are interspersed, like a Chinese ink painting that has been broken up and pieced back together.
The hotel is the Diplomat Hotel, located in the heart of Stockholm, facing the harbor, and less than a ten-minute walk from the Old Town.
January 24, Old Town and Vasa Museum.
Stockholm's Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe.
The narrow alley is paved with cobblestones, and the old buildings are orange in color. The alley is so narrow that you can touch the walls on both sides at the same time if you stretch out your arm.
Snow piled up on the windowsill, and Christmas decorations frozen into icicles hung from the wrought iron streetlights.
Each shop is hidden inside an arched doorway, and the steam from the café billows in the cold air.
Qin Lan and Zhang Ruoyun led everyone through the narrowest alley, introducing the Nobel Museum and Stockholm Cathedral.
The wooden sculpture of St. George slaying the dragon in the cathedral held the attention of the group for a long time.
The Vasa Museum is one of the most impressive stops in Stockholm.
The wood carvings and decorations on the hull of the Vasa are still clearly visible.
The shipwreck stood in the dim light, its dark brown hull appearing particularly mysterious under the warm yellow light.
January 25th, the last day of the trip.
This morning I went to Stockholm City Hall, the venue for the Nobel Banquet.
The walls of the Golden Hall are covered with 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, which reflect a warm luster under the lights.
That evening, Qin Lan and Zhang Ruoyun handed over the account book for the last stop.
The remaining funds amount to more than three thousand yuan.
"To treat everyone to a farewell dinner."
Qin Lan announced.
Dinner was as warm as the pine fireplace burning in the hotel lobby.
Twenty-five days, five countries, five cities.
From Copenhagen's colorful Nyhavn to Oslo's snow sculptures, from the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon to Helsinki's rock church, the journey culminates in a beer in Stockholm's Old Town.
Filming for "Divas Hit the Road Season 2" has wrapped.