Keratolysis Exfoliativa

Tromsø, the capital pole and palm trees (Norway 22)

June 9, 2009

us to re-embark on the 12 Vesterålen after the brief visit to Finnsnes.


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Around 15 disembark in Tromsø : I would call the capital of Norway Polar. For many it is considered the capital of Lapland .
Tromsø has some unique firsts: Catholic Diocese owns the brewery and botanical park north of the world. The tour of Tromsø

proposal Vesterålen seemed interesting. The reservation. Our guide is a young Canadian of 20 years. Close to us in coach is sitting a couple of Italians between 65 and 70. It is quite unusual to find Italians of this age group on Hurtigruten . All other meetings in the various ports or came from Costa or MSC cruises. Our couple is also distinguished also nell'abigliamento, simple and practical, and good knowledge of English.

The guide begins to introduce the environment shows a weed. He says he was imported by some British botanical garden. By the time you are getting acclimated and multiplied to infest the region of Tromsø. Reborn and bloom all summer and is now associated with the city to the point of becoming the symbol and to be commonly known Palma Tromsø. It seems that this plant has an impressive growth rate. Specimens will see 50-60 cm high, but the guide tells us that in July reached 2-3 meters.
Researching a bit 'on the net I find that the scientific name of Palma Tromsø is Heracleum persicum, and as you might guess from its name, comes from Persia. Of course that adaptation to climate in Norway polar should not have been easy.

Tromsø has about 60,000 inhabitants and its port has always played an important role for the polar routes. Both Umberto Nobile that Roald Amundsen from there.
Our guide shows a statue of Roald Amundsen donated by an organization in Milan to commemorate the death of Amundsen in an attempt to save Noble.
Our young Canadian also makes us see a little beach where every Friday afternoon meet members of the Polar Bear Club, of which he belongs, to jump into the sea: even in winter when the water temperature may also fall slightly below freezing.

The last visit the Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen) that owns the window with the largest area in Europe (and I imagine in the world) (140 sq.m.). It seems that it was added after the construction, against the advice of the architect, so that the faithful should wear sunglasses during religious services.
Some say that the architect was inspired by the structure of a fiskehjell . And the assumption seems to me very credible.

Before we re-embark on a trip to the northernmost brewery in the world.
At 18:30 we re-embark. I found this fascinating city. I leave with the idea of \u200b\u200ba winter return to Tromsø in the future. With the hope of maybe seeing an aurora borealis.

days earlier ....