Monsooners: Bruce “Chef” Zhang, Mel “Acclimatized” Jeng, Olivia “Carl’s Best Friend” Ho, Amanda “Moncler Valley” Thai, Susan “Flu Season” Chor, Olga “Groomed Blacks” Lepigina, Eric “Yurt Cookie” Tam, Elena “Weekender” Adushkina

Remarks:

“@⁨The Monsoon Diaries⁩ thank you for organizing such an awesome trip!” – Olga Lepigina

“I just landed back in EWR, thank you all for being so amazing and making this monsoon so fun!” – Olivia Ho

Monsooners: Mel “My Northern Light” Jeng, Yuhan “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” Lee, Sampson “Solar Flare” Lau, Melissa “Hot Tub Sauna Tech Support” Rios, Shirley “Postcards From Beyond” Chu, Keseena “For Richer or Polar” Chengadu

Remarks:

“Still can’t believe we went to the Arctic Circle with @monsoondiaries and attended @keseena’s wedding at the snow hotel / ice chapel

Here’s to more serendipitous moments.” – Shirley Chu

“Grateful for an amazing adventure.” – YuHan Lee

“It’s not every day that you get to spend a night at a freaking snow hotel and attend a friend’s wedding at an ice chapel!

Slept in a snow hotel (@arcticsnowhotel) that is reconstructed each winter and had a survival guide on how to survive sleeping in a OC (~32F) room. I cocooned myself and I actually ended up sleeping quite well! The hotel gave guests a diploma to certify that they survived a night at the snow hotel, which yes, I’ll frame!

Attended Keseena’s wedding in the ice chapel and she was so magical. Can wet alk about riding away in a reindeer, please?

Dinner at the ice restaurant was also such an interesting experience. We sat on reindeer furs, our waters began to ice over, and dessert was served on an ice sculpture/plate!

Such a unique and memorable experience traveling with The Monsoon Diaries & celebrating Keseena.

Rovaniemi, Lapland Finland
February 2026.” – Shirley Chu

“Who would have thought a quick drink with someone I assumed I’d never see again would lead to this. Life really does connect dots you don’t even know you’re drawing.
#monsoonersaroundtheworld” – Keseena Chengadu

“We got lucky. The northern lights were so bright that we could see it clearly with the naked eye. I got teary eyed seeing the northern lights so brightly for the first time. 🥹

Traveled with @monsoondiaries (my 1st monsoon ever!) and got a natural world wonder occurrence checked off my bucket list. ✨” – Shirley Chu

Monsooners: Cindy “No Sleep ‘Til Mainstage” Cui, Victor “RageCAGE” Tran, Patricia “MangoASMR” Chen, Donna “Surfing Panda” Vo, Fanny “Rave Kismet” Yang, John “Our Brother” Yang, Amanda “Mediator” Thai, Deb “Weekend Warrior” Smith, Caty “Serendipity From Seville” Zhao

Remarks:

“Oh … and I’m glad you helped when I asked you for directions back in Sevilla. 🫶Grateful to be part of such a powerful & beautiful community that always says yes 💪🏻” – Caty Zhao

“Being home has been surreal so the pictures on my phone that i have been showing people are proof that it actually happened. missing everyone and the mountain views!” – Donna Vo

“Missing the mountains 😩 and hanging with you all” – Patricia Chen

“Glad you’re back, another great trip! I’m back in Manhattan too.” – Amanda Thai