Final day f-ups

My final day in Sweden turned into a memorable adventure, filled with unexpected turns that I navigated with a spirit of discovery.

The morning began beautifully; waking up at 6:30 am, I was delighted to see light snow falling over Sundsvall—a lovely contrast to the previous day’s clear skies. I enjoyed a classic Swedish hotel breakfast, indulging in all my favourites: tomato, cucumber, cheese, ham, and, of course, a generous serving of Kalles kaviar.

By 9:00 am, I was ready to head out. After a short, snowy taxi ride to the station, I grabbed a coffee and boarded my train. I eventually realised I had boarded a different service than intended, but the ticket inspector was incredibly helpful, guiding me through the seat mix-up and helping me secure a new ticket to ensure I reached my destination.

Even when I hopped off at the WRONG quiet, snowy stop in the middle of nowhere, things had a way of working out. Though rideshare drivers were busy, a local taxi arrived to save the day, and I decided to take it all the way to the airport for peace of mind.

My driver was a highlight of the trip. He had a wonderful, knowing smile—likely because it isn’t every day he picks up an Australian in a quiet Swedish town wearing shorts over long johns with a prosthetic leg! I’d opted for the “thermal-shorts” combo to prepare for the transition to Bangkok’s heat, and we had a great laugh about it. We spent the drive chatting about the weather and our upcoming travels—me to Thailand and him to Spain—while listening to a nostalgic mix of pop hits on the radio.

Arrival at the airport was smooth, and I appreciated the wheelchair assistance through customs. While boarding was a bit of a bustling, proactive experience amongst the holiday crowds, I made it to my seat successfully. Even a minor hiccup with my Thai arrival card was easily managed thanks to my travel card’s security features, which kept everything under control.

The flight was full of families heading off on school holidays, and while some travellers are navigating cancellations due to global events, I feel fortunate to be on my way. I’ve reassured my family that my route is safe, and I’m looking forward to the next leg of this journey with fingers crossed and a spirit of adventure.