旅行，已成為現代人生活的一部份，多元世界不僅提供寬廣視野來滿足旅人對知識的渴求，也洗滌了工作壓力與生活上的煩事。今年，我選擇前往令人嚮往的北歐，除了一睹令人讚嘆的峽灣之美、維京時代的風貌，更深入體驗北歐各國的大自然寶藏與人文景觀。
寒冷、乾淨、高消費、高納稅與重生活品味是北歐五國(瑞典、芬蘭、挪威、丹麥、冰島)給人的普遍印象，由於大部份地區在北極圈或近北極圈，因此，冰寒、永夜就形成了北國的特殊風情，不少遊客更是為了要一賭日不落與極光而成行。最令人難忘的莫過於在北角之旅中親眼目睹太陽在午夜12點時仍懸掛在天際後再緩緩上升的日不落景象。
這趟北歐之旅由諾貝爾獎的發源地瑞典出發，之後到千湖之國與森林之國的芬蘭，再到以峽灣與石油著名的挪威，然後是童話王國丹麥，最後參觀冰火相融的冰島，這一路山光水色、峻峭淨美，驚聲不斷，雖然有點疲累，卻怎樣都不捨得閤眼，深怕錯過任何一個美景。
崇尚自由與自我、樂天知命與注重榮譽是北歐人的寫照。上天給了北歐最珍貴的天然資源，而斯堪地那維亞人則為自己創造了美好富裕的生活家園。Vignettes of Northern Europe
Travel has become an integral part of modern people’s lives. Being out in this
colorful world can broaden travelers’ perspectives, satisfy their hunger for knowledge,
and wash away the stress of life. This year I chose to explore the wonders of Scandinavia.
Apart from the beauty of the fjords, I also experienced many natural splendors and historic
sights in these northern countries.
The five countries of Scandinavia (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland)
can be characterized as cold, clean, prosperous, and having high taxes and good taste in
life. And since much of Scandinavia is near or within the Arctic Circle, its scenic beauty is
underscored by icy chill, endless days, and endless nights. Many travelers come here to see
the midnight sun and the northern lights. Perhaps the most unforgettable sight for me was
seeing the sun hanging above the horizon and slowly beginning to rise at midnight on a trip
to North Cape.
My tour of Scandinavia started with a visit to Sweden – the birthplace of the Noble
Prizes. We then went to Finland – the forested land of a thousand lakes – Norway – famous
for its fjords and oil – the fairy tale kingdom of Denmark, and finally Iceland to see its fire
and ice. Although this tour of the spectacularly beautiful northland – so full of icy peaks and
glittering waters – was a bit exhausting, I never dared to shut my eyes for fear of missing
some new and even more breathtaking scenery.
The people of Scandinavia love freedom and self-determination, are content with
life, and emphasize respect. God has given them abundant natural resources, and they have built themselves a beautiful and thriving homeland.
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