Tromso, near Fugloya or Bird Island
Just before breakfast the National Geographic Endeavour began her approach to a major pier located near the center of Tromso, Norway. The people of Tromso like to consider their city the Paris of the North, located on an island and the largest city of Northern Norway. With a University and Brewery situated at the most northern latitude on the planet, we could understand their pride; however, there are other things that make Tromso quite interesting. It has become, in recent years a cultural center for Northern Norway bringing several music festivals and each July holds one of the largest Sámi celebrations in Norway.
Our morning visit included an extensive bus trip, seeing most of the island, with stops at the Polar Museum and the Tromso University Museum. We also crossed the Tromso Bridge, and visited the Arctic Cathedral located in the suburbs of Tromsadelen. This cathedral was completed in 1965, and was constructed out of eleven immense triangular concrete sections, representing the eleven Apostles left after the betrayal of Christ. The entire east wall is made up of a huge stained-glass window, one of the largest in Europe. Our morning was bright and sunny and the Cathedral loomed like a giant carved piece of glacial ice that had been arranged on a hillside looking out at Tromso. The light inside was spectacular, from each of the tall thin windows on either side of the Cathedral to the massive mostly blue stained glass window in the front. The building definitely brought home the other worldliness of the Polar north…Our afternoon was free, to wander about this small of city of 50,000 inhabitants. Outdoor cafes were full of faces turned up to the warm sun that poured over Tromso. The people of this northern city were out enjoying their land of the midnight sun!
All aboard was set for 6:00pm…and our day was by no means at an end. In celebration of Independence Day in the United States the National Geographic Endeavour made her way north and slightly east heading out towards the Barents Sea towards a late evening visit to Fugloya or Bird Island. The steep cliffs of this island are home to thousands of Atlantic puffins. At approximately 10:00pm zodiacs were dropped, and all guests were invited to take an evening ride, for a closer look at Bird Island. Conditions were excellent, and seven Zodiacs were dropped and filled with anxious revelers ready to cruise into golden light with thousands of birds circling all around!
In a slightly cool breeze our flotilla of Zodiacs moved in and around the southern end of Fugloya Island. Out of the mists a curious sight approached…the distinctive shape of a horned helmet, on closer examination, red and black wigs and plaid caps…they were indeed gift givers, bringing spirits for the slightly chilled, in the form of Cragganmore and Glenkinchie single malt scotches, along with some local Cloudberry liqueurs…coming from the sea in the spirit of celebration, our gift givers helped burn off the fog, and still the wind, while their mirthful presence added smiles and laughter to our zodiac trip...the golden light continued as the sun dipped, just slightly towards the horizon, but never completely out of sight. Soon all Zodiacs began a slow return to the National Geographic Endeavour. Looking over our shoulders we noticed the gift givers disappearing into their origin, their laughter could be heard fading over the water as the mists swirled, veiling their departure.
Just before breakfast the National Geographic Endeavour began her approach to a major pier located near the center of Tromso, Norway. The people of Tromso like to consider their city the Paris of the North, located on an island and the largest city of Northern Norway. With a University and Brewery situated at the most northern latitude on the planet, we could understand their pride; however, there are other things that make Tromso quite interesting. It has become, in recent years a cultural center for Northern Norway bringing several music festivals and each July holds one of the largest Sámi celebrations in Norway.
Our morning visit included an extensive bus trip, seeing most of the island, with stops at the Polar Museum and the Tromso University Museum. We also crossed the Tromso Bridge, and visited the Arctic Cathedral located in the suburbs of Tromsadelen. This cathedral was completed in 1965, and was constructed out of eleven immense triangular concrete sections, representing the eleven Apostles left after the betrayal of Christ. The entire east wall is made up of a huge stained-glass window, one of the largest in Europe. Our morning was bright and sunny and the Cathedral loomed like a giant carved piece of glacial ice that had been arranged on a hillside looking out at Tromso. The light inside was spectacular, from each of the tall thin windows on either side of the Cathedral to the massive mostly blue stained glass window in the front. The building definitely brought home the other worldliness of the Polar north…Our afternoon was free, to wander about this small of city of 50,000 inhabitants. Outdoor cafes were full of faces turned up to the warm sun that poured over Tromso. The people of this northern city were out enjoying their land of the midnight sun!
All aboard was set for 6:00pm…and our day was by no means at an end. In celebration of Independence Day in the United States the National Geographic Endeavour made her way north and slightly east heading out towards the Barents Sea towards a late evening visit to Fugloya or Bird Island. The steep cliffs of this island are home to thousands of Atlantic puffins. At approximately 10:00pm zodiacs were dropped, and all guests were invited to take an evening ride, for a closer look at Bird Island. Conditions were excellent, and seven Zodiacs were dropped and filled with anxious revelers ready to cruise into golden light with thousands of birds circling all around!
In a slightly cool breeze our flotilla of Zodiacs moved in and around the southern end of Fugloya Island. Out of the mists a curious sight approached…the distinctive shape of a horned helmet, on closer examination, red and black wigs and plaid caps…they were indeed gift givers, bringing spirits for the slightly chilled, in the form of Cragganmore and Glenkinchie single malt scotches, along with some local Cloudberry liqueurs…coming from the sea in the spirit of celebration, our gift givers helped burn off the fog, and still the wind, while their mirthful presence added smiles and laughter to our zodiac trip...the golden light continued as the sun dipped, just slightly towards the horizon, but never completely out of sight. Soon all Zodiacs began a slow return to the National Geographic Endeavour. Looking over our shoulders we noticed the gift givers disappearing into their origin, their laughter could be heard fading over the water as the mists swirled, veiling their departure.
