For my return flight to Toronto I had the first row where the 3 seaters become 2. This leaves a corner of extra storage room so more like having 1.5 seats. Boarding the plane was a bit unorganized.

First we had to stand in line at the gate to have our passports checked as Canada/US are tight on visa controls now. Once they checked they told us to sit down and wait again. The line was so long as they had to check every passenger on the flight.

Then they announced boarding so those still in line to get their passports checked where being boarded too while those of us that had ours checked and were told to sit now had to go to the back of the line again. I thought Germans were supposed to be very efficient.

I had already confused the guy by showing my UK passport I was travelling on not my Canadian so he was asking for my return ticket. Now I went back to him as he was boarding Business Class as I wasnt going to stand in all that line again.

During the flight rather than the normal digital maps this time there were satellite images to make to more realistic. They were saved images not realtime however.

On arrival I can never get my passport to scan in the self scan kiosks. Then you have to scan your customs card but as I filled it in red pen it wouldnt scan either. At the counter I had to fill it in again. Oddly the person before had left their wallet full of cash on the counter so I handed it in to the guy.

On the descent into Toronto we had clear skies once again. I was able to see the Yonge St corridor of condos, Downsview Airport, and even make out my condo building on Lakeshore West.

The new airport train wasnt running yet so I had to take the bus to the subway. At Runnymede station as we formed a line to wait for the bus home a lady just came and stood at the front. When questioned she said she was here but had to step away for a moment. Well too bad, go to the back, but I was too tired to argue. A big change from Europe I just left.

It proved to be an interesting and uneventful trip. I wasnt blanketed with rain as on my last Scandinavia trip in Oct when rain that wasnt even forecast seemed to blanket every region I visited. There was perfect blue skies for most of the trip which is rare on a Northern European trip for me.

Russia was nowhere near as scary as its made out to be and I'm planning future trips to different regions. Finland seemed to have a bit duller finish than its Scandinavian counterparts Norway, Iceland, and Denmark I visited on my last trip.

Estonia was very nice and I can see myself visiting Tallin again. Latvia was a big shock. I didnt expect it to be so run down and people who literally had their faces smashed in!. It was still the 90s after the collapse of the USSR. Lithaunia was the biggest surprise.

I always envisioned Lithuania to be poorest of the three Baltic States sandwiched between Poland and Belarus. However, living standards were quite high and it had such a rich architectural and religious history. I am already planning a return visit to see Trakai Castle just outside Vilnius, The Palace of the Dukes which was closed when I tried to visit, and take the two hour bus ride to Minsk Belarus. I had contemplated it on this trip but the Russia visa was trickly let alone a Belarus Visa.

Stockholm seems to have lost the shine when I visited in 2003 and seriously considered missing my flight home, I'd fallen in love. That was my first time anywhere in Scandinavia, it was more glossy with everyone immaculately dressed. Now the economic crisis seems to have hit, less designer clothing, and more H&M brand casualwear.

It was tiring but rewarding. I dont understand how walking 9 hours a day everyday I can put on weight?? Must have been craving for protein and all those burgers everyday!

I was shocked to learn I didnt earn any Aeroplan Star Alliance points on all the Lufthansa flights. They said my booking class didnt allow it. So much for staying with member airlines.

Its taken about a month to write up this blog but I already have the next birthday trip for September all booked for 'Greater Albania' in the Southern Balkans with a stop via Oktoberfest... to be continued...