Tuesday 17th December 2025

Around Tromso

Looks like the late night finishes are a cure  for the sleep deprivation, as it was the alarm clock that woke us around 715.

Breakfast in the foyer restaurant was a hoot trying to find a suitable seat in a crazily furnished area of the Moxy Hotel – a joint for hipsters . Food selection was as comprehensive as usual, but we showed a bit of restraint given we had a dinner tour this evening.

No rest for the wicked and we were off for a visit to the marine centre. It was a very interesting time seeing a raft of animals, as well as hearing some concerning stories about the impact global warming is having on the Arctic region both on land and in the sea.

Got to see the training and feeding of the 6 or so seals being cared for. They were great performers and some of their entries into the pool were a bit like me flopping into the local pool.

Some in the glass walled pool were very entertaining as they interacted with people on the outside of the glass pool.

The Arctic lifestyle must be tough in the extreme seasons with either limited sun or unlimited sun. This short time we spent here has played havoc with the body clock, but has encouraged us to maximise the limited sunlight that is available.

We enjoyed a couple of hours wandering the township with its marvellous mix of the old and new architecture. Visited the small Xmas  market to enjoy a non alcoholic Glogg and a Kransky burger. Jane could not resist the cheese ball pasta.

She also couldn’t resist another visit to the trinket shops in search of just one more Xmas  decoration. We even got a ‘ride’in Santa’s Crystal sleigh.

The market was adjacent to the harbour and sat below the chairlift which was our next destination.

With 24 other brave souls we boarded the car and headed 400 odd metres to the top of the snow covered mountain. I always wonder why the operator controls the car remotely – maybe he knows the risk or effectiveness of preventative maintenance programme.

The top station was undergoing significant renovations and I am not sure what WHS conditions were in place. There was a bloke hanging off the end of a tractor arm securing a load of rubbish with no safety gear at all and a 400 metre drop below.

The top of the mountain was like the queue to reach the top of Mt Everest. In the darkness it looked like an ants nest as people spread across the hill trying to capture the ultimate shot. It seems Asia had discovered the Arctic with more than 80% making up the crowd.

Grabbed some great photos before joining the queue of 100 to head back down. It was ironic that a bunch of pushy young Japanese kids pushed in front of us and one got a bad nose bleed-who did they ask for help- the 2 old people they pushed in front off.

Stemmed the bleed and they were off without as much as a thanks.

Down on terra firma we headed for the beautifully designed Ice Cathedral. Interestingly the outside was the feature with its beautiful stained glass window. In keeping with Lutheran design it was vanilla inside aside from the organ.

After a brief stop at the hotel we were again on the bus to visit the Sami Reindeer Ranch for a feeding session and cultural show.

A little briefing session whilst sipping  hot chocolate was followed by the reindeer feeding. Armed with buckets of pellets we stood in the middle of the pen and were besieged by some of the hungry horned animals. It was a real experience as these animals nudged, kicked and poked you as a reminder it was their time to be fed. Some of the male ones even put on a head butting show.

Buckets empty we headed for the dining room for some more fish and reindeer for dinner, but not before another brief catching of the Northern Lights.

Post dinner we adjourned to a nearby tepee looking structure which is typical of the Sami people, but a bit grander in size than the normal one and not transferable,

Seems the Sami people have all of the same gripes of indigenous cultures around the world about losing their culture and identity. They are a bit luckier with their own parliament having a chance to input into policy affecting them. That’ll said they are still happy to use all the things that are not traditional to maintain their lifestyle.

Being the only Nordic people allowed to own and manage reindeer most of the talk surrounded their evolution and current day uses. 

As a reindeer you want to be born a female and capable of reproducing as the boys are only good for shooting and a word which rhymes with it.

A bit of traditional yoiking which is a means of making musical noises to praise someone or something. Interesting the Sami had an entrant in late 90’s Eurovision Competition and the appeal of the yoik was reflected in them running last.

Back in the bus and another close to midnight finish.