19 days in the arctic (Part 4 =D)

I reached Tromso Airport, at about 845pm. To find that the Airport is very "re nao" with lotsa people, surprised me. I was looking for a place to sit, bcos I was planning to spend the night sleeping over at the airport. It was late. The bus I wanted to take was not functioning. So I plan to wake up when there's light and plan how to get to the Island.

I sat beside a Malay-looking girl. She looked Malay, familiar to me, makes me feel closer and comfortable with her. And she actually looks lost, but she isnt. So I said "Are you Norwegian?". And the conversation continues. I learnt that her name is Fortune. She's lived in Norway for 10 years (or was it since she was 10?). From her, I learnt not to take the expensive city bus, but a local bus to city. And that she has never heard of the Island I was heading to. She showed me to the local bus stop. And then she offered me a place to sleep for the night. Really amazed by her kindness. At the busstop, we talked to another Norwegian girl. She said she knew about Singapore from Pirates of the Carribean. Interesting.

Then, I received a phone call. It was Tomas, the guy who offered me free accomodation. He said hes around town and can pick me up from the airport. So it was great, that I dont have to look for the Island myself. So I said goodbye to Fortune, wish her luck with her medicine course, and met Tomas. Tomas took me to his Island. And for the 1st time, I had a real eye-opener and how things work there.

He had gone to the city, to collect drinking water (the while tub), empty the shit box (on his hand) and buy food.

I saw a crazy full food on the plane. It was so bright and big, I could not believe it. I can actually see the craters. At the Island, I took this picture. Although my hand shook (my camera is old camera with no anti-shake), this picture still shows how bright the full moon is. This will be where I stayed for the next 14 days. A cabin by the sea and mountains. Amazing.

Inside, I saw for the first time, how he make a fire. The pieces of wood were big pieces which he picked up from supermarkets/petrol stations (i think), and then he chop them into smaller pieces with a saw. Then he cuts them with a dagger into smaller thin pieces to burn.

And cook using the fire.

And his dog is really pampered and friendly. Just first day, he wanted me to play with him in the floor. This face up and hand gesture means he wants me to get down to play with him (I was told).

First dinner in the SUPER COSY cabin. I was completely overwhelmed by the warmth of the cabin, partly bcos I have not have a proper shelter and sleep for 5 days already. And the Nomad cooks good food. He has this fish, which is called a Stone-bitter. Which is an arctic fish, which likes to bite stones. I have a friend who likes to collect stones. I hope she doesnt like to bite them.
That night, I had the best sleep, since a long time. And I rested my leg and body, after walking more than 5 km the previous day. The Nomad gave me a perfect bed. Super comfortable, with quilts and Big Pillows. Im really overwhelmed by the gesture.


Next morning, the Cabin.

The snow is unbelieveably soft here. Which makes walking extremely tough as well. But the warm gulf stream ensures, its quite comfy. Not too long though.

I love it when the dog runs towards me from 50 metres :).

Afternoon. The sun is over the mountains.


And a fighter plane flew by.

End of Day 6, 11 March 2009.

19 days in the arctic (Part 3)

At Bodo, the girls walked ahead of me. I could actually catch up with them, but bcos of the traffic, I just cut away from them. It was 9am. Their flight is 2pm. Its a 30mins walk to the airport. They walked way ahead, then stopped, waited for me, and said "We'll go ahead to the airport. So cya". Well, in essence, they pangseh-ed me again. They have 4 hours to hang around in Bodo, but they decided to take off to the airport. So I was left alone. My flight is 7pm. I went to the tourist info center and asked them what I can do in Bodo for 8 hours. They said this museum and that. I learnt that museums are tourists trap. Finally, one made me happy. "You can go to this place, and see the eagles on the other side of the Island. Bodo Islands has the world's biggest eagles herring". So I walked and asked for directions, and found it.


Unfortunately, spending like 1 hour there, there was no eagle, only seagull and ducks. And I was starting to freeze. This is still inside the arctic afterall. So I decide to go to the Airport, and look for an internet, to check for directions to the cabin. Since I lost my notebook in Lofoten.

I should stop taking pictures like this.


The Airport has no internet. Only those click ones, with only Yahoo news and air ticket booking functions. Later, I went back, with my backpack, bcos the lockers arent cheap.
And although, there was no eagles again, the sunset was Beautiful.







End of Bodo (for good! there's nothing to do here really! Im glad. And Im looking forward to seeing the Northern lights, further North. 300-400km into the arctic.)

19 days in the arctic (Part 5 =DD)

Tromso library

City of Tromso. In the center is the arctic cathedral. I was told by several pple who went in, that it was a tourist trap. Nothing worthy inside.

Some of my favourite shots. At 12am. I did not know the shots will turn out like this. The move fast, sometimes so fast! So I just snap, and hold my camera there, cos my old camera takes like 2 mins to process night shots, and your hand cant shake in the meantime. :(. And standing on a ladder to the roof isnt the best position to be in. Nevertheless, I switch my focus to the lights and glory at the creation of God.



This one started with a yellow vertical beam. Appeared to be 30 metres in front of me. It was slow at first, then it opened up right to left, and became green and yellow and moved across me fast! I was lucky to get this shot!

That night, I went back to bed. And then I realised, just a few days ago, I was the unluckiest guy ever, always at the right place, wrong time, or wrong place, right time. And thoughts of me not fated to see it crept in my mind. But then I felt that God would let me see it. Cos He will have the final say. All the time. And I was moved. He did let me see it. Not just the small ones that others saw on previous days. But He let me see an explosion display that lasted for 30mins plus. It was truly those that you see on postcards. Amazing.