Polar night and polar bear island - a Norwegian winter adventure

[Justinf]

Once we were off the aircraft at 3.20pm it was a race between me and time. With a 4pm departure I scooted through the terminal but my gate had been changed to 16, which was miles away.
I didn’t realise how big Helsinki airport was.
Got to security and fortunately it was pretty empty so I breezed through.
But then it was a LONG walk to go.
Made it to passport control and was allowed straight in given my connection time.
The guy who processed me asked a couple of questions but was chill as.
Then the mega trek to gate 16 which was miles away.
Ended up making it there at 3.45pm and there were still passengers boarding.
I got through no problem and sat down in 1A, hot, sweaty and feeling so yuck.
There were 4 of 12 seats occupied in J and the flight looked relatively lightly loaded, not that I cared or looked too hard.

 

[Justinf]

After take off, which was closer to 4.30pm, I asked of I could move over to the vacant window seat opposite so I could recline as the seat behind me was taken.
All good.
We taxied out and my easily amused brain enjoyed seeing some de-icing going on.

 

[Justinf]

Take off for our 75-minute flight was rather nice and it was announced we would be getting a hot meal in J.
I wasn’t hungry, but decided to wait and see what it was .

 

[Justinf]

The FA was totally nonplussed by my presence but I got the feeling after I paid attention to her safety demo (I just consider it basic manners to do so) she changed her tune a bit.
The meal was spaghetti and meatballs with a salmon side and it was highly decent.

After that I had a G&T and just as I had finished it, some light turbulence sent the drink on its way to the floor.
Nothing was spilled but without asking, the FA brought me another despite it being only 20 minutes to landing.
Not gonna say no.

 

[Justinf]

We landed a little late and all I could think about now was checking into the Radisson Blu and having a damn shower after a 28-hour trip.
My bag was one of the last to come out and I headed outside and geez it was cold. Probably only -3 but I wasn’t dressed accordingly so my mission was to make the short walk to the hotel as quickly possible.
When checking in, I was told I hadn’t paid up front, when I knew i had, but that was sorted out.
The room is ok and was able to get clean with a nice shower.
One thing I did before collecting my bag was buy a duty free red so I could help get myself to sleep.
It was a French Pinot Noir for around $23 and it turned out to be a decent drop.
Please forgive the state of the room. I had to turn everything over in search of something I needed.