Four Hours in Tromsø

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Before I get to how to spend four hours in Tromsø, I have an Aurora update!

At 1:05 the Aurora alert goes out across the ship. My “Go-Bag” is set and I’m up in top deck in under two minutes. And then I watch the sky dance.

The photos don’t properly illustrate what it’s like. For a start the vibrant green is only seen through the camera. In reality its a yellowish green hue, but it really does swirl and dance in the sky.

It’s not I sight you can ever get bored of.

And if the alarm sounds again I’ll be out there every time!

Preparing for four hours in Tromsø

We are due in Tromsø (that’s Trom-Sa by the way) at 14:15 so have plenty of time to chill out this morning.

I opt for a later breakfast and discover 9:00 is the busy time to eat in the mornings!

I do however meet some more people and converse as I eat. Be impressed. Meeting me before coffee is not something I’d recommend. They don’t flee from my morning self and I manage more than grunts so that’s good!

I walk around the deck outside again, just absorbing the scenery. It’s truly Arctic now and feels quite peaceful.

Sami People

I decide to attend the lecture today and learn a bit about the Sami People. In all honesty, I wouldn’t be able to tell you a single thing about the indigenous inhabitants of this land before today.

I won’t bore you with everything I learn as this is a travel blog, not a history lesson. But I find the information interesting and it’s always fascinating to me how different cultures have interacted with native peoples.

In the case of the Sami, their identity is heavily tied up with reindeer and fishing. They are a peaceful and friendly people, and one of the only known tribes to never engage in internal disputes or warfare.

There is the inevitable Christianisation and massacring of ‘witches’ that comes from Europe, but their culture still survives.

In fact today is the Day of the Sami (February 6th) so there are people walking around in traditional National dress in celebration of their culture.

Second World War

It is interesting also to learn how Norway came to recognise the Sami people officially.

Due to their friendly and peaceful nature, the Sami provided aid to all during WWII. Including Nazi soldiers stuck in the north upon Germany’s defeat.

During the formation of the UN it was Germany who stood up and vetoed Norway joining until they made an official treaty with the Sami people. Thus in 1977 the Sami people were given the same rights as Norwegians, their value to Norwegian history and culture finally recognised. This led to the formation of the Sami parliament in 1989 in Norway.

Planning for four hours in Tromsø

I have plenty of time to plan how to spend my four hours in Tromsø.

It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for a while and am glad the stop here is longer than most.

I opt to not join any excursions today as I want the freedom to explore on my own. With four hours in Tromsø I reckon I can fit everything I fancy in.

On my list are the Ice bar, Troll Museum, Arctic Cathedral, Cable Car, and some shopping.

The cable car, or Fjellheisen as its actually called, is my top priority. The weather is clear so my odds look good.

Walking for four hours in Tromsø

The only issue is the Fjellheisen is on the other side of the fjord from the port. A 40 minute walk according to google.

As usual my advice is do as I say not as I do. Suss out the buses or get a taxi over there then you can walk back if you really want the walk.

I of course being me, walk both there and back. Eating significantly into my four hours in Tromsø.

Essentially I walk there (past the Arctic Cathedral), ride up, get 20 minutes to absorb the view, ride down, and walk back again. Which all in all takes about two and a half hours.

However. The walk is picturesque and it’s good to be out in the fresh air moving around.

I don’t have any issues finding my way, and am lucky that the cable car is just about to depart as I arrive. So there’s no waiting around to ride up there at least.

It isn’t cheap. In fact even by Norway standards it’s very expensive. About £30 to get a return ticket. But it’s something I want to do and is much more cost effective than the excursion would be.

By going by myself I also time it so I watch the sunset over the city below.

And as I walk back I get to see the Arctic Cathedral again, but this time it’s all lit up. I consider going inside but in reality I just don’t have time to if I want to hit the shops and see the town centre.

Sorting the essentials

I get that shopping wouldn’t be a priority for most with only four hours in Tromsø, but there are some things I really need and this is my only opportunity.

I really need to get some more snacks as mealtimes are a bit weird the next couple of days. And annoyingly I discovered this morning I’ve packed the wrong charging cable for my battery pack.

This means I’ve had to be really careful about draining my phone battery. I can’t risk it dying on me and being lost at the same time. Which is partially why it takes me nearly an hour to get to the cable car, because I’m avoiding using google maps too much.

So my priorities for my last hour are to buy food and find a store selling cables.

I do get a little distracted by the souvenir shop I admit. Suitably cheesy and tacky with its troll display.

I would like to point out that there hasn’t been a single mention of trolls yet on this cruise!

Are they embarrassed? Iceland love regaling us with Troll Tales!

Anyway, I diverge. Back to the point.

I succeed in both my objectives and £15 later have a cable that works. Irritating but I feel better now I can charge my power bank again. The cold really drains phone batteries quickly so it’s more essential than usual I have backup.

Ending four hours in Tromsø

I wish I had more than four hours in Tromsø and think this is the place I’ll return to on a subsequent Norwegian trip. I’d like to explore more and it’s a great jumping off place to explore from.

As I wander I do see some girls in the traditional Sami costume which is nice. Learning more about their people is something I also wish I had time to do. There are excursions from the ship, but I reckon a smaller group tour would be more illuminating.

It’s time to get back aboard the MS Kong Harald alas, so any other experiences will have to wait for another trip.

There is a midnight concert possibility as we retrurn Southwards but not decided yet.

Oh and I fall over again.

On a flat road.

Not the steep bridge, or the uneven landscape above the city. Oh no, not me. Just a random street where there are plenty of people to see me.

I’m fine, luckily I’m used to being a clumsy fool and falling over!

Back onboard

I’ve never seen the exercise ring on my apple watch move so fast! 156 minutes of exercise today apparently!

No wonder I’m looking forward to dinner tonight!

For some reason I still don’t know, dinner is served buffet style. Breakfast and lunch are like this but dinner is normally service of a three course meal.

Regardless I have what I intended to from the menu: Reindeer stew.

Yep, that’s right. I eat Sven for dinner. And I do feel kind of bad about it.

(Please note this is the only Frozen reference I’ve made in this post despite thinking MANY. Especially surrounding the Sami people who I am now convinced Kristoff is one of).

It tastes really good though. Akin to Swedish meatballs and lingonberry sauce. Mash potatoes and everything.

I also get some wine with dinner for the first time. I’ve decided to just ignore how much I may be racking up on my cabin account and enjoy myself.

Evening entertainment

After dinner I head to the bar and secure my seat for the evening.

There is due to be live music later and it’s already busier than it has been previous nights.

I finish my book, complete the NYT crossword, and have another glass of wine.

The music is performed by the expediaition team and they have very nice voices. It’s a mix of English and Norweigan songs, all quite mellow and I know nearly all of them. Some in fact are my favourites! Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, Let it Be… There’s some Bob Dylan as well.

It’s a very pleasant and relaxing way to spend the evening.

I may drink another two glasses of wine…. that’s four for those keeping count. I should have just bought the bottle! Next time!

I’m on holiday! It’s okay to indulge a little.

Night All

I have booked an extra excursion for tomorrow having been convinced in the daily meeting it would be worth doing.

So it’s off to bed and in the morning (hopefully sans hangover) I’m heading to the North Cape. That’s the most northerly point on continental Europe.

I doubt I’ll be back here so it is my only opportunity after all.