Beginning of the week

Monday 10th January

As the sun began to brighten the sky I rose from my slumber ... I basically had a quiet morning, doing washing, writing postcards, catching up on emails, blogs, and copying photos onto my USB. It was lovely to just potter, although I was conscious that I should enjoy the light while it was around.

I walked into the city centre and meandered down the main street of Tromsø, going into a few shops here and there. I went into a cafe that looked earthy and cosy, only to find they didn't have a menu I could read. The guy explained the dishes for me - they were from all over the world, well it was called KaffeGlobal.

I took some photos of the wooden church and explored some more shops before heading to the information centre. I had a desire to see some more northern lights. Unfortunately Kjetil was fully booked with a film crew tonight, so I took my chances with another company who only accept a max of 14 passengers. The sky had been clear all day and looked to stay that way. While I was at the Tourist Information centre I also booked myself on a Cross Country Skiing crash course for the morning.

I headed back to Hilde's to relax and eat some dinner before my Northern Lights tour at 6pm. However, I received a phone call not long after arriving home to find out I was the only one of tonights particular tour and thus it would be cancelled. I could be transferred to a sister compnay who was definately heading out tonight but at 7pm. So I would go with them. It would be a shorter tour and would get some money back.

I caught the bus into the centre and walked to the Radisson Blu where I was picked up by the Northern Lights Tour Bus. There was only 10 of us. I chatted with a guy called Kevin, from Perth, and also two girls who were from England. All had come just to see the Lights. But the weather wasn't looking good, clouds had appeared and snow was predicted for early morning and all day tomorrow :( However, we set of in the hope we could find somewhere where the clouds were not about.

We drove, and drove. We spotted one star at our first stop and saw the brief flicker line of the aurora, but the clouds were in the way. There was definitely activity above the clouds. So off we set to find somewhere else.

Our second spot was definitely picturesque, but the clouds covered the sky. I played with my camera to photograph the scene and chatted with another guy who had a very impressive camera and showed us some of his photos from Svalbard - which is a northern island of Norway. He had some faint aurora photos that looked almost blue. After some hot chocolate and cake we headed off again, but with no luck, the clouds were here to stay.

All in all we travelled about 250km arriving back in Tromsø about 11:30pm. Very kindly, our driver and guide dropped us at our hotels and me outside Hilde's. This was soo good, as it meant I didn't have to walk 20min in the middle of the night as the snow began to fall.

Tuesday 11th Jan

A quick bus trip into the city got me to the Radisson Blu in plenty of time to be picked up for my cross-country skiing adventure at 9am. It was the same guy from last night that would be taking us out on our cross-country skiing. Kevin from last night was also on the bus, and another two guys hopped on at the Radisson. So it was me and the boys!!

We drove out west for about 30min or so, arriving at our destination with the snow falling quite steadily. I'd borrowed one of Hilde's ski-pants (those that I'd used when we went up the cable cars) and with my brothers waterproof jacket over my down jacket and thermal top, I wondered if I'd be too hot? Better too warm than cold. All rugged up, our guide gave us ski's and poles. The snow was so soft and powdery under foot.

I've not been cross-country skiing since I was about 15, so I was glad of the reminders before we set off. Lights lit the way along the wide path and grooves on each side lead the pathway through the trees and snow. We had to keep right, just like on the roads, in Norway at least :) Before long I had the hang of it again. This cross-country skiing is certainly a whole body work out and before long I was quite hot. Along the flat and up seemed to be the most of what we were doing. But out guide stopped and gave instructions for going down. Yay! A small down hill bit was good to get started on.

Along a while further we came to a steep downhill section. And before we ventured on Kevin took some photos on his compact camera. He is kindly going to email me some as I left my big camera in the bus (on purpose). One at a time we headed off leaving a space in between. Unfortunately Jin went before me and fell. So it was a while before I headed off, and guess what - I fell too :) Hehehe, so much fun. The rest of the downhill section wasn't as steep and I got my balance. Some more up hill slopes and flats with was the remainder of the trail. I had Jin behind me and we caught up to the guide and the other two guys.

We rested for a short while before turning back and going back the way we came. Which meant lots of downhill. Jin was quite anxious and left last with the guide assisting him as he fell over lots :) I followed Kevin and skied smoothly along the downhill slopes. It was brilliant!! Sometimes a little tricky to see as the snow continued to fall steadily. And the snow here is big snowflakes, not small ones like in London or Australia.

I had lots and lots of fun. And was very wet, from sweat, by the time we arrived back at the bus with big smiles on our faces. On the bus ride back we chatted about different tours we were each going on and Kevin and I exchanged email addresses so he could send me copies of the photos.

Once again, generosity blessed me as our amazing driver dropped us each where we needed to be. At home I had lunch and began packing my bag, ready to head off to the Radisson this evening for the beginning of my Fjord Travels. Hilde is kindly coming to pick me up and take me to the Radisson.

This evening I head out on a dog sled tour, then I stay the night at the Radisson Blu. I have tomorrow to do any final sightseeing and shopping in Tromsø and then hop on the cruise boat for two nights up north. I'm unsure how much access I will have to internet, so this may be my last entry in a while.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Tromsø and am grateful for the friendly nature of those I have met and the generosity of everyone.