Despite setting an alarm for 7 o'clock, we somehow slept through it and because the curtains are very good at shutting out the light, only woke up eventually when something disturbed Barbara and she noticed the time.
We'd slept through our docking in the centre of Tromso and were now running a bit late for the earlier than normal breakfast, to allow for the early trips around Tromso. Fortunately, we made up time with a hurried breakfast and got to the lounge in time to register for our bus/trip.
First stop was the Polaria Centre - an arctic marine oriented aquarium and other attractions. We were particularly lucky in timing it just right for the seals' breakfast:
The two girls didn't just feed the four seals, but encouraged them to have fun while so doing: fetching toys, leaping out of the water to hit a suspended ball, and coming out onto the 'beach':
We were particularly taken with their whiskers - apparently very much more sensitive than cats' whiskers and an aid when they're 'bottom feeding'.
We were also shown a very spectacular multi-screen arctic film with stupendous helicopter shots of very wild landscapes - we were warned beforehand that motion sickness was a possibility and because the screens filled one's forward and side vision, it really did feel as though you were swooping down the glacial valleys.
After our enjoyable time there, and passing through the inevitable gift shop on the way out of course, we moved on to look at Tromso's stylish cathedral. As it was Sunday and there were inevitably services in progress, we were unable to see around inside, but it looked most impressive. Our tour guide (centre of picture) below is explaining something to a fellow passenger:
And then time for a few photos before getting back on the bus for the next excitement. Here's Barbara with Black Watch in the background.
At the cable car, we had a minimal wait for the next ascent, and soon we were heading rapidly skyward with Tromsoya Island spreading out in front of us, the ship looking ever smaller:
At the top, there was plenty of time to wander around, enjoying the views in many different directions. Though some of the directions had steeper slopes than others, so you didn't want to go too far off the beaten track. Here's another view of the ship:
And again but showing the spectacular backdrop.
Had I been able to stand on this vantage point on the 22nd October 1941, I would have been able to watch Uncle Ken's Catalina flying from right to left as the crew photographed the seaplane base off the northern end of Tromsoya Island and then the main harbour and the German ships anchored there. And I would have heard and seen the anti-aircraft guns opening up and shooting at the Catalina, but apparently without success at hitting it.
After getting back down we were taken back to the boat in time for lunch and up on deck, we noticed another moderate sized ship looking as though it was going to ram our aft:
It was one of the local buses we were later told. Part of a fleet that keep all the local remote coastal communities connected. A lady enjoying the relative privacy of Black Watch's whirlpool on deck 6, was a little surprised to suddenly find this new arrival looking down on her!
Early in the evening, all the many ropes securing us to the dockside were cast off and we set off around the south end of Tromsoya island, turning 180 degrees to head north for our next destination. This involved going under one of the bridges linking the island, but there was a distinct problem: a dredger was busy in the exact centre of the channel we needed to be in to pass under the centre of the bridge; the only part high enough for us:
We appeared to be going to ram the dredger, but at the last moment, a small course correction took us past within a few metres of the work-boats:
As we turned back into the centre of the channel where we needed to be to pass under the highest part of the bridge, it looked as though it would be a tight fit. The crew had already lowered the topmost part of the mast, so in theory, we'd miss the bridge by about 0.5 metre!
A few seconds later, we swept under with a blast on the ship's hooter for the benefit of the passing vehicles and pedestrians.
Excitement over, I was now late for dinner, so hoping that Barbara had chosen something I'd like from the menu, I rushed down several decks just in time for the starters to be served.
And for Wanda, here's a photo of my sweet, smartly decorated withe the Fred olsen flag.
And that was Sunday. A long way north to go overnight.
We'd slept through our docking in the centre of Tromso and were now running a bit late for the earlier than normal breakfast, to allow for the early trips around Tromso. Fortunately, we made up time with a hurried breakfast and got to the lounge in time to register for our bus/trip.
First stop was the Polaria Centre - an arctic marine oriented aquarium and other attractions. We were particularly lucky in timing it just right for the seals' breakfast:
We were also shown a very spectacular multi-screen arctic film with stupendous helicopter shots of very wild landscapes - we were warned beforehand that motion sickness was a possibility and because the screens filled one's forward and side vision, it really did feel as though you were swooping down the glacial valleys.
After our enjoyable time there, and passing through the inevitable gift shop on the way out of course, we moved on to look at Tromso's stylish cathedral. As it was Sunday and there were inevitably services in progress, we were unable to see around inside, but it looked most impressive. Our tour guide (centre of picture) below is explaining something to a fellow passenger:
At the top, there was plenty of time to wander around, enjoying the views in many different directions. Though some of the directions had steeper slopes than others, so you didn't want to go too far off the beaten track. Here's another view of the ship:
Had I been able to stand on this vantage point on the 22nd October 1941, I would have been able to watch Uncle Ken's Catalina flying from right to left as the crew photographed the seaplane base off the northern end of Tromsoya Island and then the main harbour and the German ships anchored there. And I would have heard and seen the anti-aircraft guns opening up and shooting at the Catalina, but apparently without success at hitting it.
And for Wanda, here's a photo of my sweet, smartly decorated withe the Fred olsen flag.
And that was Sunday. A long way north to go overnight.
