A Journey of Love and Dreams: Florida’s Scandinavian Adventure with Thrillophilia
At Thrillophilia, we are used to planning trips for people from all walks of life- honeymooners, families, solo adventurers. But when Florida, a 62-year-old lady from Goa, called us, it was different.
“Are you sure you want to take this trip alone, ma’am?” one of our team members asked.
“Yes,” she said firmly. “It’s not just a trip for me. It’s the last of our 58 dreams. My husband and I made a list of all the things we wanted to do together. We completed 57 of them, but the northern lights… that was his dream. He passed away three years ago, but I feel it’s my duty to fulfill it for him.”
The room fell silent as we listened to her story. Florida and her husband had been married for over 30 years but had no children. “It was just the two of us,” she explained. “And we lived for each other and our dreams.”
Hearing her determination and love, we were inspired. We made sure every detail of her trip was perfect, from accommodations to experiences because Florida deserved nothing less than the best.
Day 1: Arriving in Oslo
Florida landed in Oslo on a chilly afternoon. “I never thought I’d be traveling so far from Goa, especially alone,” she told us over the phone after settling into her hotel. “The moment I stepped out of the airport, I felt like he was with me. He would’ve loved this cold breeze.”
She explored Oslo- the Viking Ship Museum, the beautiful Vigeland Park, and the bustling Karl Johans Gate. At every stop, she shared a bit of her husband with us. “He loved history. At the museum, I could almost hear him explaining things to me like he always did,” she said, her voice full of warmth.
Day 3: The Flam Railway and Fjords
The Flam Railway journey was a highlight for Florida. She was amazed by the snowy mountains, the thundering waterfalls, and the small villages dotting the landscape.
“This is exactly the kind of place my husband would’ve stopped to sketch,” she told us. “He wasn’t an artist, but he loved to try. I used to tease him about his crooked trees and funny-looking houses. I think he’d get these fjords just right, though.”
As she cruised through the fjords, surrounded by nature’s grandeur, she felt a deep connection to him. “It’s like I’m seeing this for both of us,” she said. “It’s bittersweet, but it’s beautiful.”
Day 5: Tromsø – Chasing the Lights
When Florida arrived in Tromsø, she was filled with excitement. “This is it,” she said. “The closest I’ll ever be to his biggest dream.”
She tried dog-sledding for the first time, and her laughter was contagious. “I’ve never done anything like this!” she told us later. “I can’t believe I’m racing across the snow with huskies leading the way. My husband would’ve loved this wild adventure.”
That night, the northern lights didn’t show up, but Florida wasn’t disappointed. “He used to say, ‘Patience brings the best rewards.’ I can wait.”
Day 7: Rovaniemi – A Winter Fairytale
In Finland, Florida visited Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus. The snowy streets and cozy lights made her feel like a child again.
“When I was younger, I didn’t believe in Santa,” she shared with us. “But my husband did. He used to write little notes pretending to be Santa and leave them for me every Christmas. I found one recently while cleaning- a note saying, ‘Let’s go see the northern lights someday.’
She spent the day snowmobiling and visiting a reindeer farm. “I touched a real reindeer!” she laughed during her nightly check-in with us. “I never imagined I’d be doing things like this at my age.”
At night, she stayed in a glass igloo, watching the stars twinkle above her. “He’s watching me,” she thought to herself. “I can feel it.”
The Grand Finale: The Northern Lights
The day finally came.
Florida was back in Tromsø, standing on a frozen lake, bundled up in warm layers. The Arctic sky stretched above her, dark and vast. And then, it happened- the mighty aurora borealis appeared.
“They just… appeared,” she told us later, her voice filled with emotion. “The sky lit up with green and purple, like a painting coming to life. I felt like I could hear his voice saying, ‘Look, Florida. Isn’t it beautiful?"
She stood there for what felt like hours, tears streaming down her face. “It was everything he dreamed of… I wasn’t alone- I know he was with me, right there under those lights, I could sense him.”
The Journey Home
When Florida returned to Goa, she called us one last time. “I want to thank you,” she said. “For giving me the chance to fulfill this dream, for listening to my stories, and for treating this trip like it was as important to you as it was to me.”
She told us how much the experience had changed her. “I used to think my life was over after he was gone. But this trip reminded me of who I am and who we were together. I feel alive again, and I know he’d be proud of me for doing this.”
Florida’s journey wasn’t just about seeing the northern lights- it was an epitome of love, resilience, and the power of dreams. Her story moved everyone at Thrillophilia, reminding us why we do what we do.
For Florida, the northern lights were a promise fulfilled, a love story that transcended time. And for us, her journey was a beacon of inspiration, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, no matter how far they take you.
Read More: Thrillophilia Scandinavia Reviews