w w w . x e .s . c x

Snow mobile is the hardest thing i´ve ever driven. It´s easy if the snow isnt thick but it´s extremely hard when the snow it´s thick. I was stuck on snow occasionally. Aki and his other 2 relatives had to push the snow mobile out from the thick snow (about knee lenght).

Handling a snow mobile requires a lot energy. It has no power steering hence a lot of energy is involved in order to turn the vehicle.

One of Aki´s relatives offered me a ride on his snow mobile. My god, it was damn exciting. He went up and down hills at high speed (about 60 – 120KM/H). It was great but i was worried that i might be throw out from the snow mobile. And during the last ride back to the warehouse, he went about 100km/h, it was so fast that i could barely breath.

I thanked and shook Aki´s relative´s hand as we left. It was a good experience!

I’m stuck

Aki and I

The gang
– 8:20PM

Su Ween, Jon and Mindy stood behind me, shouting farewell and reminders, as i walk out from 16 Watson Road.

While on my way to Manchester Airport, i befriended 2 people. We didnt talk much, the guy was heading to Spain and the girl was heading to Tobago. Eventhough we seldom chat, we somehow made an implied pack, 3 of us would stick together throughout the trip to Manchester Airport. We shared the same carriage and sat nearby to each other in the bus. We departed without saying good bye.

Amsterdam – 9:30AM
Ah, Amsterdam, It’s been 1 year and 1 day since i left Amsterdam. I love Amsterdam.

My trip around Amsterdam Airport was a short one but it surely brought back the memories i had in Amsterdam last year.
Everything seems like yesterday (this proves that the amount of weed i smoked in amsterdam did no affect my memory).

I had a slight problem in the immigration department. The handsome young African Dutch officer was scrutinising my passport for a long time. He showed it to his collegues and started discussing with them in Dutch. I had no idea what they wanted. Probably he was suspicious of my passport. I have a temporary British residency and an Australian visa attached on my Malaysian passport. A terrorist with with 3 residency? Thats what he probably suspected. Fortunately, he did not give me any trouble. He gave me the passport back but in rude way.

I regretted that my transit was a short one. Getting into Holland from anoter European country is easy and fast. If only my transit was few hours. I would be taking the two storey high train to Amsterdam.

Flying over Scandanavia is an interesting sight. The clouds are white and the whole continent is white, covered with snow!

Helsinki Airport

After 14 hours, which includes a train ride, 2 bus rides and 3 flights, I’m finally in Oulu. I was suprised that there wasnt any immigration check in Helsinki. I wanted to get them to stamp a mark indicating that I’ve been to Finland!

Oulu Airport

I bought a standy ticket to Oulu for 65e. Standby ticket is much cheaper than normal ticket (200e) as it involves a risk. With a standby ticket, a seat is only guaranteed 10 minutes before departure and if there arent any vacant seats, I am not entitled to a seat. However, a refund will be given.
I made a mistake as i was wating for my flight to Oulu. I check-in the counter 10 minutes before departure.

I was instantly screwed by the pretty lady attendant. In her Finnish accented English. she kept on scolding me for not checking in early. Apparently the bus to the plane has already left and hence I’m the only one left. I told her that i thought that standby tickets would only allow me to check in 10 minutes before departure. She dismissed it and kept on screaming at me in her hostile finnish accent. I never threw my temper at her nor apologize to her, all i said was just okay okay and okay. I was too tired to retaliate. It’s been more than 24 hours since i slept (well not exactly 24 hours,. i dozed off for few minutes couple of times)

– 10:00PM

What a weird dream. I dreamt that someone broke into my room and stole my comic books and my stamp album (!!). Mum was comforting me, asking me not to worry. I reached for the phone and called the police. I was diverted to a voice message saying, “Sorry, the police is on leave today due to Hari Raya”. WTF.

Ok about the Finland trip. I’ll be leaving on the 6th of February, which is 2 days after my exam. I’ll be staying at Aki’s place for 5 days in Oulu, Finland. Oulu is located in the north of Finland, which is also about 600KM to 800KM from the capital of Finland, Helsinki. The climate of that place is reported cruelly cold, at an average of –20 degrees. Aki and I planned to go skiing, ice fishing and probably winter swimming! This is also a chance for me to experience Finish culture, as I will be staying with Aki’s family.

Another thing that is worth mentioning is that, I’ve never met Aki before! I knew him online though. However, I knew him for few years and there is no doubt he’s a sane person. hehe
– 7:15PM