19 August

Once on the flight, in darkness, I thought, “Ah, at last I can get some sleep!” No sooner had I dozed off then along came more food. However by now I had resolved to eat only the best of what was offered, which goes against all my training and upbringing. After that, it was off to sleep at about 2000 Frankfurt time. And if you thought, dear reader, that I was about to get a good sleep, you were in error, for at 0300 on came the lights and yet another meal was served. After that, the lights stayed on so it was difficult to do more than doze.
With good flight conditions, we landed at Frankfurt on time. The short views from the air over the Ukraine and the Czech republic were very good, even though the light was not good and there was a lot of cloud. Similarly, coming in Germany, the views reminded me so much of the Europe I had driven through only a few months ago.
On the ground in Frankfurt I had to take the shuttle (automated tramway) to the next terminal to find my connecting flight to Helsinki. Passport control was very perfunctory, even using my Australian passport. I found both the gate and the check-in area, but it was so early I went to explore the airport a little. I found a McDonald’s (“Ah, I thought, free WiFi!” Alas, it was not to be – T had the airport covered.) and had a little to tide away the time. Back in the area waiting for check-in I caught up with a couple from Cairns who had just finished some European tours. After a longish chat the check-ins opened, up I went – and the counter staff’s printer wouldn’t print the boarding pass!. Side shuffle to another counter and all was correct. With no luggage (that was being sent straight through) it was quick and painless. Not so the security check. My medicines worried the scanner operator, so off to a side room I had to go. I looked around for cameras in case I was going to end up on “Border Security” here or overseas. No such things were visible, the staff swiped my tablets and put the swiped card through a sensor. No reaction, so I could go. The staff thought I was American, so I set them straight on that and then chatted for a few minutes about Australia before they went back to work and I went on.
I met up with the Australian couple again while we waited for the lounge to be ready. They had been florists, but had retired and moved into Atherton. We covered a lot of topics, including travelling and care of the elderly. The lounge opened at 0930, in we went and I spied power points, so set the laptop to charge and started setting up photos. On the TV there was a program about Coober Pedy – halfway across the world to see things from home! At 1030 we boarded and at 1100 we were off. Because of time differences, with a two hour flight, we landed at 1200. Again, cloud was the feature seen out the window.
At Helsinki Airport (quite small, but very busy) I collected my suitcase. I helped a young Japanese girl who was unsure where to collect her suitcase. She was from Dallas, having just finished a degree there before having a celebratory cruise and then returning home to Tokyo.
Once I got my luggage, it was off to find where to board my fourth and final plane. I checked the luggage in, got a slip for that but no boarding pass – Rafferty’s Rules for seats. Off the that lounge I went, found a seat, took some photos and then walked around a bit. A novel change!
At 1540 a girl went over to our counter and picked up the microphone. Everyone stood and headed for places in a queue so I did the same – false alarm! Fifteen minutes later we were called and on we went. I was able to sit at the pointy end for once – but no difference!
During the flight I shared the row with a grandmother and granddaughter from Yorkshire who were also going on a tour. Although they described it differently, I thought it must have been the same one as there isn’t a great deal of tourist activity around here. After a very short flight we landed at Rovanieme and were greeted with all the kitsch you could expect from a small place trying to survive from tourism. While waiting for the bags to come I met up with two other Australians – also on this tour, also teachers. We shared a cab into town and got to the hotel at 6. While checking in we met the tour Director (Jerome, French). Once checked in I headed up, had a shower and changed. What a relief!
At 1900 we had a meeting. There will be about 43 on the tour (very large) and we got told what we had to do (be punctual), what we could do (other tours, eating, accommodation, money) and then we departed. Most on the tour are Australian, but there are a smattering of others. My first experience of this.
Once back in my room I checked my email, processed my photos and after some writing, went to sleep (at last!).