Norway Day Nine: Tromso: My Last Walk In This Beautiful Arctic City

I awoke a little later than I usually do on my last full day in Tromso . Once again the 24 hours of daylight affected my sleeping. I did not sleep much. I was happy it wasn’t raining.  I still changed into my rain gear, it seems it always rains in northern Norway, and was off for my walk. 

I didn’t walk too far. I first walked to the nearest bus stop where I took a bus to the shore on the south of the island on which the city of Tromso is located.

There were now breaks in the clouds.  I was able to see some rare Norwegian arctic sunshine. And what a difference it made. The beaches, ocean, clouds  and snow capped mountains were spectacular in the morning sunshine. 

As were the wildflowers growing along the path that followed the rocky shore.

I walked along the shore and observed the beautiful houses located on the bluffs above the ocean. 

I would be a beautiful place to live in the summer when it is sunny but I could not survive the long, dark, cold winters here. 

I came upon a large group of school students who were also enjoying the beautiful views and rare sunshine. They were playing games, including a vigorous game of tug of war, having something to eat cooked on  an open fire or just strolling on the beach. 

It was a pleasure watching them enjoy this beautiful June morning in this remote and cold arctic region. Here is a link to some more photographs from my walk on the shore. Norway Day Nine.  morning walk beaches. June 8 2018.

I left the shore line and headed up the hill near  the Tromso museum. I wish I had time to explore the museum but I continued on my walk on a wooded trail.

I came upon a local television station producing a children’s documentary in the woods along the trail. 

The 2 mile trail was mostly wooded but did pass through some residential areas as it slowly climbed the hillside upon which Lake Pressvanet is situated. 

There was a passing shower, but the sun again broke through the clouds encouraging a host of birds to burst into song. 

I haven’t yet identified these artic birds and would appreciate any help my birding friends.

I soon came to the lake which was crowded with the residents of Tromso enjoying this beautiful morning. 

And there were also a multitude of birds on, and around, the lake. 

Some were familiar like the mallard ducks and loons, which I believe are called divers in Norway.

Others I had never seen before  like this ruff. 

I watched a pair of these strange birds searching the wetlands along the lake for a morning meal. Here is a link to some more photographs of this pretty and unique bird. Norway Day Nine. lake ruff. June 8 2018.

There were also wild flowers growing in the wetlands along the lake.

I walked along the lake photographing the many birds I observed, including these flock of gulls being fed by  a local resident. 

And a few of these birds, I believe are tufted ducks.

And I found this nest unattended, the mommy seagull having been frightened  by a couple of  folks walking along the trail. Here is a link to some more of the birds I saw along the lake. Norway Day Nine: lake birds June 8 2018. 

I walked around the lake one more time enjoying the many birds and also the spectacular scenery. Here is a link to some more photographs from my hike to the lake. Norway Day Nine: lake June 8 2018. 

I had now walked around five miles, and I was getting hungry and tired so I began my now familiar hike down the hillside to my hotel.

I walked through the cemetery, stooping to inspect some of the old graves. 

The sun peaked through as I walked back into downtown Tromso and I continued to enjoy the streets of this quaint little city.

I was soon at my hotel enjoying a late breakfast. Here is a link to some more photographs from my last hike in Tromso, the Paris of the North. Norway Day Nine return hike June June 8 2018. 

After breakfast I started packing and worked on editing some photogrpahs. I had one more chance to see the midnight sun. I had an early flight the next morning but I still planned to take the cable car to watch it if the skies cleared.  I had an early dinner so I could try and sleep a couple hours. I was surprised to see sunshine on my way to eat. I returned to my room and dozed off for a few hours. 

I awoke around 9 p.m. and there was still some sunshine! However, the local forecast called for rain at midnight. I decided to take a walk and investigate. 

Unfortuantely, as I walked to the docks the sun was slowy obscured by high clouds. 

It was now after 10 p.m. and it did not look like I was going to see the elusive midnight sun. Here is a link to some more photographs from my late night walk. Norway Day Nine. late night walk. June 8 2018. 

I decided not to take the trip  to the cable car. I returned to my room and set my alarm for 11:45 p.m. I didn’t sleep. I looked out my window around 11;30 and the light rain ended my last chance to see the midnight sun.  I struck out eight nights in a row. Well it looks like I will have to return to this beautiful northern city and try again someday. And maybe a Winter visit to see the Northern Lights.  And of course all of you will be welcome to come along. 

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comforts of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things. -air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky. -all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese