Day 12: Tromso!
91 km and 628 m climbing
Is it Karma?
The day of the second milestone moment of the trip, the arrival in Tromso, is just like the Nordkapp moment a perfect day. Blue sky, not even a breeze, chill autumn temperature. The surroundings colored with blue, yellow, green and purple. The road contains a limit number of hills. Ideal circumstances for a real Sunday bike tour!
The early morning has gold in its mouth, today it is confirmed once again. I wake up 6 o’clock to be sure to catch the first ferry of the day at 8 o’clock. I am the only one today with this mindset.
I ask the workers on the ferry if there is a specific spot where i should put my bike. “Wherever you like my friend, try to fill our boat with your bike!”
The 40 min transfer feels like a privilege.
On the boat I discover that the ferry traject is part of the total distance on my navigator system. 13 km without sweat, that counts.
Lyngseidet
While cycling, i listen to the soundtrack of Ten Oorlog, the best travelling program I ever have seen. Made by Arnout Hauben en co, and a real source of inspiration for this trip.
I feel the sun burning on my back. The music, the view, the warmth, all together the perfect Sunday vibe.
Svensby
I arrive 20 min before the ferry arrives in Svensby, and that’s great. The next one comes within 2 hours.
Time to enjoy a double espresso, made from local roasted coffee beans. African music leaves a Marshall speaker like we have at home. A fun and weird atmosphere at the fjord surrounded by snow covered mountains.
Tromso
The surroundings of Tromso convince me of the fact that people wants to live here. However the military importance is visible as well. Hidden between the islands, big marine ships are floating in the sun.
When i reach the Artic cathedral, i have a good view over the Tromso bridge. Which seems to be the inverse of the Nordkapp tunnel.
There is only one camping in Tromso, packed with campers and caravans. For the tent lovers, there is a piece of the forest across the river where you can put your tent between the trees at the river. What a spot!
Perspective Museum
The first place i visit in Tromso is the Perspective Museum, where exhibitions of photographers, painters and other artists are switching all the time. A great and low cost start of my time in Tromso!
Ølhallen
In my last week at work, i got a really nice present of a colleague. He noticed that i was mentioning a couple of times that alcohol was very expensive and rare in Norway. And that it would run mainly in water during my cycling adventure. So he surfacesd some Norwegian krones from his drawer which were hidden since his Norway trip last year with the standing order: “drink some beers on my account in the Artic!”. After 2 weeks of water and more than 1000 km in all types of weather, the moment is finally there. I celebrate the second milestone with a real beer! I choose the location Ølhallen, a pub-brewery with 70 different types of beer on the tap. The lady of the bar adviced me, so I started with a local IPA and finished with a Norwegian version of a Belgian Triple.
Both tasted very GOOD! Thanks Ruud for this thoughtful gesture!
It was the perfect Sunday, looking forward to what the week will bring.
