After a week exploring the most remote corners of the Norwegian fjords, today we arrived in the city of Tromsø, gateway to the Arctic, and we were welcomed by full summer weather —apparently the first warm day of the year—while the surrounding mountains were still completely covered in snow.
We set off early and part of the group visited a museum to learn about the history of cod (tasting included!), an important part of life in this region for many centuries. Others went to a dog kennel (because petting huskies is always a great choice) and learned firsthand about the Finnmarksløpet, the most important dog sled race in Europe.
Later, we all met at the Polar Museum which holds a rich collection of items from polar expeditions that passed through this city. In those days, anyone heading to or returning from Svalbard stopped here.
To make the most of this summer-like day, the galley team surprised us with homemade burgers, which we enjoyed under the sun on the outside decks while sailing through the last fjords before heading out to open sea.
And as a little preview of what lies ahead, puffins and humpback whales came to greet us.
Svalbard, here we come!
