Norway, Disappointing Northern Lights Tour

 

After finishing an enjoyable dinner at Presis, I take a leisurely walk to the Rica Ishavshotel the pick up location for an evening tour of the Northern Lights. I have mixed expectations of seeing the lights as the other guests at Home Sleep after being out the previous two nights with different companies did not have any spectacular sightings.

 

Although the skies have been clear during the day (twilight), recently they have become cloudy at night due to the unusually warm weather this time of the year for Tromso.

 

 

 

As this is an outing that depends on the ever changing ways of Mother Nature, most if not all of the tour companies offer “to chase for the lights” with some even suggesting you bring your passport in case the chase takes you into Finland.

At about 7pm I am picked up along with others from the lobby of the Rica to join Tromso Friluftsenter Northern Lights Chase With Lavvu Visit. We are driven in a mini-van about thirty minutes outside of Tromso to meet our guide for the evening.

At first it is a bit exciting as we are led into a replica Lavvu with a warm welcoming fire. We are told a little about the Sami people and culture along with some interesting things about reindeer. The ones here that pull sleighs are neutered to prevent problems with the females while working. Poor Rudolph.

Next we take a short walk to a beach area to attempt to listen for whales in the bay. I can already sense this is not going to be a good night for seeing the Northern Lights when our guide has us out listening for whales. To his credit it is a nice distraction from the cloudy skies which show no signs of clearing anytime soon.

Back in then Lavvu we are offered more hot beverages and pieces of chocolate cake from a Tupperware container. Our guide seems less than optimistic that we will see any lights here and offers for us to be taken to another location although he does mention having to pick someone up at the airport by midnight.

In signing up for the tour I knew it was advertised for four hours but when our guide has a prearranged outing then I know there is not going to be much of “a chase of the lights”. He does offer to have his girlfriend run around with a flashlight if we don't see any official Northern Lights which I think would be quite amusing.

We leave our location and join up with the guide at a gas station where he has left his car then head up to a mountain area. Here the clouds seem even thicker as we move around along a mountain road trying to keep warm. Eventually I give up and return to the less cold warmth of the mini-van.

With everyone back on board the best part of the evening comes when I am offered a warm drink by one of the passengers and told not to ask any questions just drink it. Now there's someone that came prepared to have a good time no matter what.

At 720NOK about US$130, I am more disappointed in the way Tromso Friluftsenter ran the tour than I was in not actually seeing the Northern Lights. I think a little more head work would have given us a better chance of see the lights. Going from one cloudy location to another in my book is hardly considered chasing. I would have preferred to see the guide's girlfriend running around with a flashlight.

Vietnam, Intro To Cu Chi Tunnels

 

Our introduction to Cu Chi Tunnels begins by watching a propaganda type video on how the Vietnamese fighters including women and children where able to use simple tactics to overcome high tech US military attacks against them.

 

One effective deterrent was the multilevel tunnel built here.

The first level for accommodation, the second level for bomb protection and a third level that provided a means of escape.

 

 

There were also booby traps made from bamboo built inside the tunnels. A simple but very well designed system that served its purpose well.

 

Not far from watching this video we are given the chance to experience this tunnel system as a well hidden entrance is revealed.

It is a tight squeeze for a two hundred pounder with broad shoulders.

 

 

 

Norway, Presis

 

 

On a dinner recommendation of a college student, I make my way to Storgata 36. Navigating up a set of stairs I find myself at the entrance of Presis, a tapas restaurant and bar.

 

 

 

 

 

With dark wood furniture and soft lighting from table candles and cool chandeliers, the atmosphere of Presis is warm and welcoming.

I arrive shortly after the restaurant has opened and I am only the second table to be seated.

 

 

A refreshing ice cold glass of water is served and a pitcher of it is left behind which I appreciate. Although this is a restaurant best enjoyed as a group I am going to make the best of my dining experience by sort of eating like one.

Cured Reindeer, Grilled Artichoke Hearts, Fish Cakes and Salted Potatoes are ordered. As I wait for my main courses to be prepared a basket of warm toasted focaccia bread with an olive spread is served.

 

 

My first taste of a slice covered with the olive spread and I am ready to cancel my main courses.

I am prepared to just double or triple down on the focaccia.

 

 

 

If this is truly what is representative of the kitchen then my taste buds are in for a real treat.

Although there is only one waiter he is definitely efficient. He attends to new patrons even as he has the right timing to not neglect those of us that are already seated. I am impressed.

 

 

Presis Mixed Tapas

 

 

My main courses arrive and I have a bit of a dilemma, which one gets to grace my taste buds first. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach then a heart to the stomach should have the honors. Grilled to perfection, I swirl pieces of the artichoke in the light olive oil in which it is served and savor. Delicious!

 

Next it's the Fish Cakes which I first drizzle with fresh lime juice.

Although deep fried it is almost unnoticeable because of the light coating. Sampled with some of the Raw Salad (sliced carrots, apples and onions) on which it is served, my taste buds are delighted.

 

 

A fork through the Salted Potatoes is almost like putting a hot knife through butter. These are done perfect with just right amount of saltiness.

 

 

I save the Cured Reindeer for last. As a not too big a fan of sour cream except in cakes, it is the only dish that I would order slightly different next time.

 

 

 

Served sliced and topped with sour cream and onions, I thought the sour cream overpowered the cured taste of the meat.

 

 

Dinner is finished off with a large cup of passion tea as I watch the restaurant fill up with more patrons that I am sure will also have an awesome dining experience.

Vietnam, Beautiful Artist And Artwork

 

Our second day in Ho Chi Minh city is planned to start a little later than our first day. This time we have the opportunity to enjoy a splendid breakfast at Tan Hai Long which is included in the price of our room.

 

Delicious fried rice, meats along with a bowl of fresh soup with shrimp and hot peppers and I am stuffed to begin the day.

 

 

 

 

Today, we are headed to visit Cu Chi Tunnels on a very affordable tour about US$8 per person. As with our tour the previous day we are picked up along with others and given another perspective on the history of Vietnam.

 

 

As we did yesterday, we make a stop at a factory/tourist attraction where disable students use their talents to create some beautiful and awesome artwork.

 

 

 

 

These students are just some of the victims of the American military use of “Agent Orange” here during the Vietnam war. I have an admiration for them as I watch them at work using items like eggshells to produce masterpieces.

 

 

Beautiful Vietnamese Artwork

 

 

It is heart wrenching to see some of insane effects of war on innocent people generations removed from the conflict.

 

 

 

 

 

Vietnam, The Next Vietnam Idol

 

 

Our tour of the Mekong Delta ends with an unexpected discovery. As we cruise the river one last time we are serenaded by possibly the next Vietnam Idol.

 

 

Thirty minutes later we are back where our tour begins and we are given an option for our return to Ho Chi Minh City. If as a group we are willing to pay a few extra Dongs we can take the Express Way back to the city and save about thirty minutes driving.

In a way I save everyone from having to make that decision and hope they did not mind getting back earlier than planned.

 

 

Norway, A Dark Day Afternoon

 

I wake up the second day in Tromso a little bit confused. With no alarm clock set from the previous evening, peering out my window with sleepy eyes I am not sure what time it is as I am looking at gray overcast twilight skies. A blink or two and I discover it is about 11 in the morning.

 

 

About two hours later night is falling as I begin a walk into the city center from the quiet neighborhood in which I am staying. However, there is still enough light to appreciate the beautiful winter landscape that I was not able to see so well yesterday during a true evening walk.

 

 

 

Tromso Twilight Landscape

 

 

Pass “The World's Most Northern Brewery”, I am again walking through the main street of Tromso. The holiday decorations and the sounds of a street musician gives the atmosphere a special feeling. The spirit of Christmas is truly in the air.

 

Passing the Tromso library, on the other side of the city center I make my way towards a bridge that will take me to the one of a kind “Arctic Cathedral”.

 

 

 

Crossing the bridge the wind has picked up and with the chill it brings, I am doing all I can to keep my extremities warm.

My fast walking and finger curling comes to a stop as some of the views from the bridge have to be enjoyed standing still.

 

 

One Bridge View

 

 

 

Unfortunately at this time of the day the cathedral is not open to the general public and can only be admired from the outside.

 

 

 

 

As more darkness has taken over the afternoon the temperature has fallen considerably and it is almost a brutal walk back into the city center. There are buses that run to and from the “Arctic Cathedral” but I did not want to chance my life fate standing still in the cold waiting for one.

 

Back in the city center, I do what quite a few of the locals seem to be doing during this time of the year, I head for an indoor shopping mall. However, my motives are different.

 

 

 

I just want to escape the cold and warm up as I wait to go to dinner and then a Northern Light excursion.

 

 

Vietnam, A Village Bike Ride

 

 

Grabbing a few free bicycles after lunch, a “dare devil” group of us head off on a bike ride through the local village. With “Miss Saigon” and “My Blue Bonnet” I am hoping we will blend in like locals.

 

 

 

 

Mekong River Boat Traffic

 

Crossing a bridge I get a different perspective of the Mekong as I watch more boat traffic move up and down this significant waterway. One boat filled with fresh bananas passes beneath me, its motor making that unique sputtering “putt, putt” sound.

Navigating a village road that sometimes follows a branch of the Mekong and is lined with trees is so relaxing that it just makes me feel like singing. Now I know how Kermit felt doing the same thing through Central Park.