Tromsø Day 4
Final day today here in the Arctic Circle. The sun has once again decided to come out to play and keeping us warm….ish! We ventured to the University of Tromso museum to find out a bit about the Northern lights and the Sami culture.
Upon entering the museum we were greeted with information on the history of the earth. A short presentation on a screen showed how minuscule the time is that humans have roamed the earth.
With regard to the Sami culture and their protests and fight back, it is much the same world wide when it comes to the indigenous peoples of each land. From the English prohibiting the Welsh, Irish and Scotish from speaking their native language, to the various Native American groups and the First Nations people of Australia all being ‘encouraged’ to become one for the ‘greater good’. It is all rather political and sadly still goes on today across the world in other nations.
The Northern Lights and some fun facts:
Heading back into town we stopped off for a bite to eat and a coffee. We were conscious of the swopping gulls that were ever on the look out for an unsuspecting diner. We were both keeping one eye on these afore mentioned mahusive gulls and the other eye on our rather delicious toastie. Alas, Carol was ambushed and one came in from behind to launch its attack and swopped in to take the best, and final bit, of toastie. With a heavy heart and a half empty tummy we set off back to the apartment.
A visit to the Arctic Cathedral was embarked on. Simon’s foot was holding out and so we opted to walk across the Tromso bridge which is about a 20- 30 minute walk. An impressive building that was completed in 1965….a good year that! Initially the part of the building behind the alter was clear glass and it was not very comfortable for the congregation as the sun was blinding them as they looked up at the person conduction the service. To counteract this a stained glass mosaic was installed much to the disgust of the architect who vowed never to set foot in the building again. I must say that I agree with him and I think it would look much cleaner and crisper without the ‘gawdy’ colours. But each to their own.
Must be a bit chilly in the winter?
We have both enjoyed our time here in Tromso and would one day like to return to see it in winter and potentially try out dog sledging. Our past few days have been easy paced with us having plenty of time to meander along, taking any direction that takes our fancy. Each day we knew where we wanted to go but had no real time frame of needing to be anywhere at any particular time.
Can recommend the Seninarbakken Apartments, Seminarbakken 4, Tromso. We stayed in apartment 6.3 with great views of the city, kitchen and a (shared) balcony.