Tuesday, August 8 - Tromso, Norway

We have had great views from our balcony as we arrived in Tromso. Traveling on the inside passages has made the travel quite comfortable. Tromso, population 72,000 - 73,000, is the 3rd largest city in Norway (behind Oslo and Bergen), and the largest inside of the Arctic Circle. We are now further north than the most northern part of Alaska (Barrow).

The building that looks like ice sheets is the aquarium ("Polaris"), I believe.

Our first shore excursion, "Panoramic Tromso", was from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Our bus dropped us off at the Planetarium, where we watched a movie on the Northern Lights. While outside the Plantarium, Brock noticed two ski jumps!

This photo makes me look short!

Our tour guide, Christiano, from Italy, had the bus stop at a high school which afforded nice vistas. Our boat is shown docked on the island side. On the other side (mainland) is the cable car which I would be riding later in the day.

Our bus also drove by the Arctic Cathedral which you can see in the photo. We would go inside that later.

The bus also took us through an amazing, long tunnel (5 miles long?) which had roundabouts! It took a long time to build (I'm wanting to say 5 years) and was recently completed.

After the tour, we had some time to kill, so we walked around the area where our boat was docked. In the photo below, you can see a swimming area which is marked off with red buoys. Brock would later go there to swim!

There were some very serious sailboats and trawlers on this dock that were getting ready to set sail to Svalbard! We spoke to a couple who was getting ready to leave on one of those boats. I believe they said it would take them 10 days! There are easier ways.

This lovely vessel caught my eye.

Brock was excited to see boats up close!

Our second shore excursion, "Portals to the Arctic", took place from 12:45 - 4:15 p.m. Brock met a man named Clete from Billings, MT on the bus. Our first stop was to visit the inside of the Arctic Cathedral!

Our guide, Anthony from France, was very entertaining. This was the first cheerful tour group we had.

The church originally did not have the stained glass window, and so much light was coming in during the services that the guests were having to wear sun glasses! It didn't take long before they decided they needed to order the stained glass window!

It is stunning.

This photo shows the organ in the back of the church.

Views from the cathedral parking lot (that might be the Hurtigruten coming in):

From the parking lot, our ship is waiting for us!

Back on the other side, the bridge and cathedral make a lovely photo!

Our next stop was the Polar Museum.

This was a difficult stop for us, because there was not very much signage in English. However, I located a harpoon to touch!

And also a spear!

The flowers outside were pretty.

Brock took a nap...

... then decided that he would forego the rest of the excursion, walk back to the ship (which was close), and go swimming in the Arctic in that designated swimming area that we found!

I continued on to the Fjellheisen Cable Car.

I was rewarded with incredible views at the top!

It was 80 degrees, warm and sunny, a very unusual day for Tromso.

Our cruise ship is looking smaller. Brock might be in the photo in the swimming area!

Water and islands are everywhere!

This couple was all sweaty and may have just hiked up to the overlook.

What a dramatic setting for that school down below!

I continued walking along the boundary fence on top of the cliff.

Interesting photo of the cruise ship and the shallow water across from it.

This is the top of the tram house. There is an eating area up there as well as the observation platform.

Back on board, I met up with Brock. He was exhilarated by his arctic swim; it made him feel vibrant! He said he met a young couple from Norway at the swimming area. The man said the water was cold to him because he was from Southern Norway where the water is much warmer! The couple didn't understand where Nashville was until Brock mentioned Dolly Parton!

It was shocking to experience Florida-like weather inside the arctic circle. 80 degrees! It never gets to 80 degrees in Antarctica. Why does it get so warm here? They say the weather changes quickly here.

We loved visiting Tromso but wouldn't want to live there because they have total darkness in December and January, and then very little sunshine, then the Midnight Sun. Tromso hosts a "Midnight Sun Marathon."

I believe we were swimming in this hot tub and infinity pool on the ship's stern at the end of the day. It was the only day warm enough for that on this trip.

The ship took off for the next destination: Honningsvag.

Our after-dinner stroll became quite windy!