Ferry

EP 10. The Destined Return: Reconnecting with Myself on a 26-Hour Bus Journey

EP 10. The Destined Return: Reconnecting with Myself on a 26-Hour Bus Journey

Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia

A sudden flight cancellation pushed my journey onto an unplanned course. After a last-minute dash onto the ferry, I had a chance encounter with travelers from China back in Tallinn. Now, seated on a 26-hour bus ride home, I watch the landscapes flow past the window, chewing over the dialogues from Kamome Diner. As I sort through the thoughts and encounters of this entire trip, I’ve written down a few words for myself.

EP 9. Kamome Diner: Our Reasons for Being in Helsinki

EP 9. Kamome Diner: Our Reasons for Being in Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland

As the fictional Kamome Diner merged into reality, the contours of Helsinki gradually came into focus. I walked past the bustling main islands for tourists and retreated into the quiet 'backbone' of Suomenlinna, where I shared a private joke with history through my lens. Watching those who crossed oceans in pursuit of freedom, I finally found my answer beside the steel movements of Sibelius: we may arrive for different reasons—some to take root, others simply to escape at will. Yet, on this all-embracing land, every unbidden stroke of luck and every unique story becomes the most priceless gift before we journey home.

EP 8. Wandering Across the Sea Under a Purple Afterglow: When Regret Becomes a Destined Tenderness

EP 8. Wandering Across the Sea Under a Purple Afterglow: When Regret Becomes a Destined Tenderness

Helsinki, Finland

Beginning with the regret of a missed ferry, I unexpectedly stumbled into the decadent purple tenderness of Helsinki. In the hostel's bustling kitchen, a surprise African meal warmed my long-parched Asian stomach, while the raw monologues of travelers revealed the realities of survival in the North. As I stood atop the cold cannons of Suomenlinna, watching crowds picnic peacefully beside war ruins, I truly felt the weight of shifting eras. It turns out that every regret on the road is merely a guide, leading us toward a destined, beautiful memory.

EP 7. Reunion at the Turning Point of Time: Unlocking the Baltic Mystery

EP 7. Reunion at the Turning Point of Time: Unlocking the Baltic Mystery

Tallinn, Estonia

It began with a simple bowl of pasta and a deep conversation with a German sociology student. Together, we wandered past the Russian Embassy, etched with historical scars, and the desolate ruins used as filming locations for Tenet. Our walk became a classroom for debating war, sovereignty, and the stark contrasts between the German and Taiwanese education systems. Soon, the setting shifted to the beach, where I joined a group of Ukrainian men—living fiercely in the moment—for intense rounds of volleyball and table tennis. In their laughter, I witnessed true resilience and experienced a brand of language learning that no textbook could ever provide. Finally, through a small twist involving a WhatsApp contact, I released the regret that had lingered since Budapest. I realized that the meeting of travelers is like "time inversion": not every encounter is a prelude to a goodbye. Some people are simply waiting for their next predestined reunion.