Wild weather day in Tromsø. Snowing briskly one minute. Sun shining the next. And repeat regularly. And it is cold. The high for the day was about 38º F. Today, by the way, is Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday), and it is a national holiday in Norway. Most everything except tourist oriented gift shops and restaurants were closed. Tromsø is a fairly large city, one of the largest above the Arctic Circle – population about 74,000. It is actually located on a small island connected by bridges on all sides.
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After a nice breakfast, we headed out on our 2½ hour “Panoramic Tromsø” bus tour. The first stop was at the Northern Lights Planetarium where we watched a show about the northern lights. It’s really rather amazing that they were seen in AZ just after we left for Norway. Now we are here and cannot see them because it’s the wrong time of year. Anyway, the planetarium was a fun experience. Photographs were not allowed in the planetarium. I considered cheating, but I didn’t. The view of the mountains outside was dramatic, and there is a ski jump nearby. The last picture is the planetarium building.
Next stop was at the Arctic Cathedral. Well, it’s called that but it is officially just an interdenominational church (Tromsdalen Church). But it is quite striking. We heard an organ recital while we were there. Note the dramatic bridge that we crossed to get there. And you could see our ship docked across the water on the island of Tromsø.
Then we drove around some more before returning to the ship which is docked right in the center of downtown Tromsø. Larger ships have to dock further out as they cannot fit under the bridge you see pictured near the cathedral. We had a walk about downtown, visiting a gift shop for a few trinkets. We took photographs of the area including a statue of Roald Amundsen (Tromsø was his home town) and the Cathedral of Our Lady (Church of Norway or Catholic? – different sites say different things). Did you know Amundsen was the first person to reach both the north and south poles? I think that’s right. See the flowers in the snow? See Elaine’s just purchased snow hat? See the snow outside the gift shop window? Oh, and the troll! Trolls are big in Norway. The last picture is the town’s modern new library.
Back on the ship for a late lunch, the snow really started to come down. And ten minutes later the skies were blue once again. Then it was quiet time for us until cocktail hour at 5:00 PM.
At 6:00 PM we set sail for our last port in Norway. After a nice dinner in The Restaurant, we went to the Explorer Lounge, the ship’s largest bar located at the bow over two decks. (The bartenders all know us by name – surprised?) After dinner drinks were accompanied by magnificent scenery on the sail out after we passed under the Tromsø Bridge.
Later!
Snow hat is great !!
Of course the bartender knows you by your first name- probably knew that 10 mins after boarding!!
On our way home after wonderful time in France!!
Like Ann says, I’m not the least bit surprised that the bartender knows your names. Good thing you purchased the “all you can drink” package.
Love the flowers peeking through the snow. Love the troll. Love Elaine’s new snow hat.
Stunning photos of the lingering clouds over the snow covered mountains and the ocean as you drink your way to North Cape. Cheers.
Pics are great. The flowers peeking thru the snow could be CO. Elaine in a warm hat, had to be cold. Yes, I have to agree with Ann and Sue, no surprise you are well known at the bar(s). Safe travels home Ann. Stay warm Joe and Elaine.