Thursday, October 23, 2014

Norway - Tromso


My plan to visit Norway was to see the Northern Lights, so we flew from Oslo to Tromso, above the Arctic Circle. We didn't see the information counter when we arrived at Tromso airport, but we saw the Airport Express Coach counter. The fare was NOK70 per person (city bus is cheaper a little bit or take a taxi if more than 2 persons), the Express Coach will stop in front of your hotel. 



飛到 Arctic 的範圍北部城市Tromso,到了hotel,老板問了我是那裡人,我說原本是馬來西亞,她說有8位馬來西正人住了一星期,最后一天即在上星期六晚終於看到北極光。我真高興。
The hotel's owner showed us her beautiful Northern Lights pictures which she took the week before. 



We walked around the city, this is the town's library.



The Art Museum of Northern Norway.  Elephants with different types of faucets for heads.



We went to Prestvannet lake around 5.30 pm and had a walk round the lake. It was cold and had a little rain, 8.30 pm we gave up waiting for the Aurora.
The next day, we chatted with the hotel's owner again, and she said the chances to see the Aurora are best between 10 pm - 2 am. Good to know.



We got information at the tourist center, then bought a one day Tromskortet (NOK70), good for public transport within Troms county and decided let them book the Hurtigruten coastal cruise without cabin (NOK616 per person) for us to Svolvaer, 1.30 am - 6 pm. (If by bus, the fare is NOK620, 10 am - 8 pm). 
The staff gave us a link about the Aurora chart, and Steve found another useful link after that one.



We took bus to the mainland to see the Arctic Cathedral. 



Then took the cable car to see the view of Tromso from the mountaintop, the fare is NOK130 per person.



"The upper station is located at Storsteinen (English: The big rock), a mountain ledge about 420 m (1,378 ft) above sea-level. "



"The four minute trip to the upper station is a popular destination in itself, offering visitors a commanding view of the city and the surrounding islands and fjords from an outdoor viewing deck."


Then we took the bus back to the island to the Science Centre of Northern Norway.



And beside it, the Botanic Garden, which seemed to be mostly rock samples.



My view of Norwegians, they are healthy. The food mostly seems healthy, and we saw many people walking dogs, jogging, and cycling, even late at night. We were told by people in two different places, it's very safe. Living in safety is very important, and they seem very proud of it.
Most of them didn't simply talk/chat with strangers or tourists, unless you asked a question. They answered what you asked and made the conversation as short as possible, with no side talk.
When we were waiting for a bus, there was a boy with a lady (must be his mom), I asked the boy: "Do you learn English in school?" He said yes... And he continued telling us the places he had been... The lady said to him: "You talk too much."
Seems like this is their family education: don't talk too much.





We went out 9 pm, we took bus to Telegrafbukta beach.
Most of the pictures came out black, but MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! We got back to the hotel about 12:30am, after spending several hours alone, on a cold beach with a strong wind. It was worth it!

挪威人都會講英語,我們幾次找不到地方都是問人。有两次我們有較多的談話時,挪威人說:這裡很完全。
我們去較暗的地方要看北極光,半夜十二點,還看到有三人一起走狗,噢不,是walking dog。是的,居住的很完全,真是他們值得驕傲的地方。
挪威人跟丹麥人的快樂指數,我想不會差很大。





 The next day, we walked around the city again. This is Polaria - "Its striking design represents ice floes that have been pressed up on land by the rough seas of the Arctic." 



 M/S Polstjerna - Seal hunting vessel museum. 



Tromso Gallery Of Contemporary Art.



Perspektivet Museum.



The Polar Museum.
Mostly we went in the attractions with free entry only, and seeing the outsides of the buildings for those with price.  We didn't know about the City Passes, available in many cities, that include admission to attractions.
  

我們在等着上船去Lofoten island的Svolvaer城市,水陸可到,但我們選擇水道。1:30am Tromso起程,17小時抵達。
Waiting in the Rica Hotel lobby for the next phase of our journey - a 17 hour ferry ride to Svolvaer that starts at 1:30 a.m. Most places in town, other than restaurants & convenience stores closed at 5:00 p.m., so there isn't a lot to do, except wait.
We're hoping to see the lights again tonight from the ship, away from so much artificial light, and looking forward to some great scenery along the coast during the daylight part of the cruise.



2 comments:

lewe said...

Hello there,

I chanced upon your traveling blog while I was researching on my trip to the Bahamas.
Knowing that you are from Malaysia, I hope you will be able to advise and give your opinions on traveling to the Bahamas from Singapore. Coming from that you are very well travelled, you might be the best person to ask about affordable

eHeart said...

Hi lewe,
You can write to my email - lktan_sinee@hotmail.com for more detail about what you like to ask planning to Bahamas, I would give you the information if I have.
BTW, the Bahamas currency is same as US$ and they prefer US$.

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