Tromso

Tromso is very cute, colourful and quaint. Part of its charm comes from not having been heavily damaged during WWII (unlike many other Norwegian towns which were literally razed to the ground), and to its roots in the maritime trade. Over 60,000 people live in Tromso, which boasts the world’s northernmost university. Tromso also served as the “gateway to the Arctic” in the 1850s when a number of expeditions were launched from there.

We spend a few hours in town and in the afternoon head off to Whale Island for an ocean kayaking adventure. We suit up and off we go paddling in calm waters and under steel-grey skies. A large metal structure sticking up from the water serves as a landing spot for arctic terns; this is what remains of the Tirpitz, a German battleship bombed and destroyed during the war. 

I spend a lot of time nagging Blake, worried he’ll tip us over as he did while kayaking in Kauai last year. Finally I begin to relax and just enjoy the ride; the scenery is beautiful and the exercise feels good. Our tour guides were awesome.

Next stop: the Nord Kapp