Tromsö, situated well above the Arctic Circle on the latitude N 69.39, has always been the gateway to the high Arctic. In the early days, hunters left in April from here and arrived back in the fall after a long harsh season in the ice, way up into the high latitudes. Tromsö become the trade center for the fish, seal meat and skins and of course the valuable walrus tusks the hunters brought back.
At the turn of the century (19th to 20th) Tromsö was also the center for Arctic exploration. As we strolled the streets, we saw that the most famous Norwegian Arctic explorers, Nansen and Amundsen, are each honored with a statue.
It was from Tromsö that Amundsen left in 1928 on his private rescue mission after the crash of the airship Italy. His plane disappeared into the Barents Sea and he was never found.
During the day we had the opportunity to visit the small but very educational Arctic museum. We also visited the Tromsö museum and saw the exhibit about the Sami culture, which we will soon encounter as we arrive in the Finmark area of Norway.
After lunch, the rest of the day was used for exploration of the town, filled with many classic wooden buildings. The newly arriving guests were, of course, waiting for the sun to set as we slowly sailed away towards the high Arctic, passing the famous Arctic Cathedral.
No sunset up here, as now we have 24 hours of daylight until the Endeavour once again makes her way south along the fjords of Norway in August.
Today was a good introduction to the north for our upcoming Arctic exploration, with ice, Polar Bears and … Welcome onboard!
At the turn of the century (19th to 20th) Tromsö was also the center for Arctic exploration. As we strolled the streets, we saw that the most famous Norwegian Arctic explorers, Nansen and Amundsen, are each honored with a statue.
It was from Tromsö that Amundsen left in 1928 on his private rescue mission after the crash of the airship Italy. His plane disappeared into the Barents Sea and he was never found.
During the day we had the opportunity to visit the small but very educational Arctic museum. We also visited the Tromsö museum and saw the exhibit about the Sami culture, which we will soon encounter as we arrive in the Finmark area of Norway.
After lunch, the rest of the day was used for exploration of the town, filled with many classic wooden buildings. The newly arriving guests were, of course, waiting for the sun to set as we slowly sailed away towards the high Arctic, passing the famous Arctic Cathedral.
No sunset up here, as now we have 24 hours of daylight until the Endeavour once again makes her way south along the fjords of Norway in August.
Today was a good introduction to the north for our upcoming Arctic exploration, with ice, Polar Bears and … Welcome onboard!
