Day 8 - Visit to Tromso and the Arctic Cathedral.

We woke to another pleasant morning. Sirena is due to visit the wonderful town of tromso. We visited here 3 years ago and enjoyed the town and its range of activities. The weather then was cold and wet but with a ray of Spring sunshine.

Today we sail into Tromso arriving a little after 10.00am and it is clearer but slightly overcast and dry. Jeanette still remains unwell, but the first signs of recovery from her Sinusitis and Varrangitis is beginning to show and is a reflection of the tablets and medicine. After these 3 days on the medication, I sense a recovery with a sense of relief.

Ken departs the ship at 11.00 am and takes a long walk through the town taking photos and enjoying the busy environemt. This is a larger township with a range of commercial activities. Thje city itself is stunning between fjords, islands and mountains. It has a long and busy past with traditions, an inclusive life and night life and several attractions.

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We use the city as a base to foray into the wilderness, seek out the attractions, to enjoy the variety of stores, and later ride the train through the City as a tour.

On our prior visit, we had taken the Tromso cable car up to Mount Storsteinen which provides a wonderful view over Tromso and you gain a full appreciation of the waterways and aspects of the rugged topography.

The scenic view provides highlights of waterways, mountains and then this green island with houses and a city centre popping up with a noticeable buzz and a busy outgoing lifestyle. It is the largest city in the Northern West coast of Norway. However, the Arctic lifestyle, the empiness, and wilderness remain visible throughout and in close proximity. you are living close to nature here in Tromso.

So to an arctic story, sitting directly under the wonderful Northern Lights, with a charming lifestyle and you have 68 days f Midnight Sun, there is a myriad of things to explore.

In the 19th Century boasts from Tromso hunted seals, walrus and polar bears across the whole north from Newfoundland,over Greenland and Svalbard. Early visitors were stunned at the sophistication and style and nature of the Tromso Gentry . They were greeted in not too accented French, German, and English with a broadly educated society well engaged with the Capitals of Europe. They were well acquainted with what was occurring in Europe.

The city centre is a photographers delight.

An so we took it in. Had a terrific late morning and afternoon.

We returned to the Ship at about 4.45 pm . Time to change and join guests for drinks in the main bar and then await our departure at 6.30 pm. a memorable day.

Tonight, aboard Sirena our Cruise Director, Julie James does a cabaret style show. She is very good and produces a terrific show of aboutt an hour. In bed around 11.00 pm after a terrific day.