02.11. - Tromsø - the gateway to the Arctic Ocean

The wind is still cold, but it has cleared up and even a bit of blue sky can be seen. Good conditions to start our exploration walk through Tromsø. We walk north along the water. In front of us we see the bridge to Tromsdalen and on the other side the Arctic Cathedral. The boats in the harbor are deeply covered in snow.

Amundsen greets us in front of the Polar Museum, from here he set off to Svalbard. Shortly afterwards we stand in front of the narrowest house in Tromsø, from there it is only a short walk to the pedestrian zone. The footpaths are heated and the slipping and sliding has come to an end. We stroll through some shops on the way to the world's northernmost brewery, the Mack Brewery, at the other end of the city. The increasing ice-cold wind prompts us to taste the beer brewed there (of course not for free) in the associated oldest pub Ølhallen Brewpub in a beautiful atmosphere.

On the way back to the hotel, it starts snowing again. We warm up for a short while before checking in on the ship Finnmarken for the next 3 days. The longest ship of the Hurtigrute is big, has several restaurant and bar areas, and a very nice observation deck. It also has a heated outdoor pool and two Jacuzzis.

It is stormy and snowy outside, so the chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight is close to zero. We first enjoy the delicious Arctic char from Sigerfjord in the restaurant and then make ourselves comfortable on the deck. We distract ourselves from the slight but constant rocking with a card game.