Skeggsy’s Blog

Flight back from Tromso at 11:40 to arrive 13:40 oslo gardermoen and then from oslo gardermoen at 18:35 to arrive 19:40 in London Stanstead.

Breakfast at 9:30 today. Walked up to storgata past the mack brewery (the most northern brewery in the world!)
and then polaria neither of which were open. Had a coffee in the Shell garage - free even if you dont buy anything. Walked to Polar Mueseum which was open.
Had lunch at the Meiereit near our hotel. Food was not bad and cheap. Had an hours snooze in hotel room and then got our coach at 16:00 to Skorjov which arrived at about 19:40. Transferred to our coastal steamer Ms Midnatsol (Midnight Sun), a big cruise ship with 1000 capacity although at this time probably only 20 people on board. Destination is Tromso at midnight. Consumed a number of beers at 53kr each (these are european measures so about 1/2 pint), a salmon lok(49kr) and piece of cake (33kr).
Spent much time on the subzero sundeck hopeful of seeing northern lights despite the extreme weather (incredible winds and severe snow). Resulted in doing a shift system, 10 mins in and 10 mins out to beat the cold.

Had breakfast at about 8:00am. The breakfast at the Thon Polar is excellent.
We then walked to tourist information and booked a coach and coastal steamer trip for Sunday night. This was 450 Kr each.
We then took a walk over the bridge (15 mins) past the Arctic Church and then up the mountain for a great view of tromso stopping at the local spar for a few nibbles along the way.


Walked back via Storget shops and bought ski gloves and googles. Stopped for a (free) coffee at our hotel. Ate at Steakers on the harbour at 3pm. Nice atmosphere in this restaurant and a nice view of the harbour and mountains from our table. Very popular restaurant! I had fisk souppe and Yamini had salad for starter. For main we had steak and pepper sauce and potatoes. Also had a creme brulee and icecream and choc sauce. Total was 774kr (�65) inc a beer and a coke.
Walked back to hotel to chill out until it was time to go out later.
Went out about 8:30pm and walked around town. Started snowing heavily at about 9:30pm. We walked over bridge in hope of escaping the snow but it followed us. We don’t give up easily but conceded defeat about 11pm. Had a couple of free coffees in the hotel before turning in.

Setoff at 4:40am and arrived at London Stansted at 05:30. Parked at NCP short stay carpark and walked to terminal. Checkin not open so got coffees and croissant (�5.50). Plane due to depart at 8:25 and arrive at Oslo Gardermoen at 11:30. Flight was delayed by 1 hour. Spent 48 Kr on flight (Norwegan airlines) on twik and coffee.
Oslo airport initial impression is large amounts of wood panelling. Train inside airport to Oslo Sentralstacion cost 172kr for single ticket for two. Left 12:38 and arrived about 45 minutes later.
We had 2 burger king jr meals for 120Kr.
Walked to National Gallery and viewed Munch’s Scream and other works including Madonna.
Walked up to the royal palace and then to the harbour before heading back to the station. Paid 172kr for our single tickets back on the slow train to the airport. Unfortunately we got off the train at the wrong stop approx 16km short and then paid 320Kr for a taxi the rest of the way! Arrived at airport 5:30pm for flight at 19:05. Arrived Tromso 21:10. Had a haagen das vanilla ice cream for 21kr and then got the bus to the hotel thon polar. Bus took 20mins. Much colder here than Oslo! Probably minus 3 or 4 degrees centigrade at night. Lots of snow although not actually snowing.