Norway Day Eight: Tromso: Two More Lakes And A Botanical Gardens

After returning to my hotel I had breakfast and decided to visit Tromso’s famous Botanical Gardens. In reviewing the maps I also noticed a couple of lakes in the area. So I was off to explore some more of the arctic city of Tromso. 

I had no Norwegian currency so I had to purchase a bus ticket which was a little harder than I anticipated. They first two locations were closed or moved and, after roaming around the downtown,  I finally was able to obtain a day pass and board bus 22.

I love riding buses in foreign cities. I watched the local folks enter and exit the bus, wondered what they were doing,  and reflected about the differences and similarities in our lives.

I exited the bus at a remote bus stop, at the far end of the island,    beyond the Arctic University.  I was going to walk from here to the Botanical Gardens. 

I found a trail and followed it. I soon came to a small lake. It had stopped raining on my bus ride to the trail. It started  again, this time it was only a light shower.  Fortunately I had worn my rain gear. 

I walked past the lake,

seeing a few birds along its shores including a grey heron, some mallard ducks  and, what I believe is a white wagtail.

The rain soon ended and  the sun came out as a walked to  a second lake. What a difference the sun makes. 

It was a beautiful place to be and it was hard to believe I was above the Arctic Circle. 

I followed the trail as it meandered around a residential district. It  continued into a more wooded area where the sound of birds filled the air. 

I tried to photograph a few smaller birds fluttering through the trees but they were too elusive. I did get a photograph of this robin like bird singing high in a treetop. 

As I continued my hike I came to an enclosure and found a family of reindeer inside.

I am guessing it was part of a Arctic University research facility. I watched the reindeer for a while.   Here is a link to some more photographs of the reindeer. Norway Day Eight Tromso afternoon lake hike Reindeer June 7 2018.

I next followed the trail onto the campus of the University. I was also greeted by some more passing showers. Here is a link to some more photographs from my afternoon hike. Norway Day Eight: Tromso aternoon hike June 7 2018.

I walked through the University and came to a trail leading to the Botanical Gardens.  

There were geological exhibits along the first portion of the trail.

I soon came to the beautiful and well maintained Arctic Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately it was still raining.

The many flowers from arctic and alpine climates around the world were still beautiful in the rain. 

I once again had far too little time to roam the gardens and observe and learn about the many beautiful plants and flowers gathered from around the globe. Here is a link to some more photographs from my visit to the Botanical Gardens. Norway Day Eight. Tromso Botanical Gardens. June 7 2018. 

Just as I was exiting the gardens the rain stopped and a few rays of sunshine made it through the skies, reminding again my bad luck with the weather during  my week in Norway. 

The break in the rain didn’t last long, it soon started raining as I made my way to the bus stop for my return trip to the hotel.

This time I was dropped off only a block from my hotel. This was convenient since I wanted to eat an early dinner and try to sleep a few hours before my next, adventure a midnight photography tour.  The fellow at the desk of my hotel told me the best restaurant in Tromso was Emma’s.  He said the King of Norway dines here when he is in Tromso. Hearing this I had to give it a try. I walked over to the restaurant, located about a block from my hotel. He was right. I had a truly amazing dinner beginning with a remarkable fish stew.

The main course was the local “stock fish” this being dried cod that is re-hydrated and prepared the traditional Norwegian style. It was delicious. 

I would have loved to try their desert but I was full from the meal. It was now 6 p.m. and I also wanted try and  sleep a few hours before my next excursion which began a 9 p.m.. Once again sleep eluded me. I tossed  turned for two hours and finally gave up . 

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” 
― Anita Desai