What a beautiful day to be out and about in Tromso. It is a compact city basically on an island which can be easily seen from the Fjellheisen, the cable car ride to a hill opposite the city and on the Eastern side so great light for photography. It was pleasingly quiet as most people seemed to walk over the bridge from the town whereas I took the lazy way and used the free parking under 10 minutes walk to the lower station and I was there not long after it openned. There is a shuttle bus but only from Octoberr to March. After the joy of marvelous scenery I returned the car to the, very expensive, tunnel and did the rest of the day on foot. A wander through the pedestrian main street and down to the harbour took me to the Polar Museum. It is quite different from the Fram, in Oslo, and a lot smaller. A large part focuses on living in the Arctic celebrating the animal trappers, whalers and seal clubbers that provided the ‘industry’ in this remote and difficult place. The Fram was principally focused on exploration which also forms part of the museum here in Tromso. I found it interesting as well as a little disturbing to my comfortable Scottish upbringing. It is a case, that is all to common, that what were considered cultural necessities were in fact really not. The world changes and we move with it. I am sure the tourist trade is a more profitable ‘industry’ rather than animal skins, especially as the use of animal skins is all but in the past. I suspect supporting tourism is also less risk to life and limb. More wandering followed with a bite of lunch before returning to the hotel mid afternoon for a bit of rest before the long evening ahead before I board the ferry for a 01:30 departure. Here are a selection of images from the day. The penchient for colourful buildings is evident around the harbour and in the main thoroughfare adding a bright aspect in the afternoon sunshine. I’ll start with a few photos from this morning at Fjellheisen including a panorama from the phone below. Of course you can walk up as you can see in the photo. I was not tempted. On the walk back to the car I passed a house with a pretty decent view and then it was down to the town itself. I didn’t try the reindeer hot dog, it was a bit early. The Arctic fisherman had his eye on me. It is worth noting, as I have before, how crystal clear the water is which can be seen at the Polar Museum and its array of harpoons. I’ve included a small selection from the museum. I don’t think you will find replicas of Hjalmar Johansen’s gear in Mountain Warehouse. I’ve included a not too accurate juxtaposition as she is wearing Arctic Fox but you get the idea. Of course there is a major church in the centre of town, and a nice one. I’ll finish with my car in the tunnels of Tromso.