Tromso

7/2012 Update:  a series of blog entries from a Norway cruise I was fortunate enough to take in the Summer of 2008. Although it feels funny to have relayed trip updates via a blog, it was a pre-Facebook way of telling friends/family about my travels.

Today we docked at Tromso, a really nice community within another Fjord, even further North.  We took a bus tour of the town, which, according to our guide, is a college town that used to rely on whaling, fishing, and seal hunting.  The area is, of course, very beautiful.  A bit like being in a picturesque Rocky Mountain town, but with water.  The mountains are everywhere and the snowfall in Winter is immense.  We also visited the Polaria center which houses an aquarium and other other North Atlantic/Arctic exhibits.

We pulled out of port around dinner time.
One of you asked why I wasn't doing a web gallery.  Well, the Internet access aboard is very slow and extremely expensive (via satellite).  I'm taking tons of shots as well as some video, so there should be more than enough to bore any and all of you.  Here's an ocean shot though.

Dinner tonight was a special event, "Chef Night" where we all wore these hats.

The staff got into the event and did lots of dancing around while they served the food.  The staff on this boat really do go above and beyond (granted, I'm not too demanding) in their service.  The dining and cabin stewards know us by name and always acknowledge us ("Good Evening, Sir John.  Another Martini tonight?").  Of course, for what the tickets cost to go, things ought to be good.  Tomorrow, we're docking in Honningsvag, one of the Northernmost communities in Europe.