Fjords and Northern Lights: Norway's magnificent wonders
Yesterday at 23:00, I had the chance to attend the magical spectacle of the Northern Lights for the very first time. A little message on my student housing's WhatsApp groupchat, warning everyone of the natural phenomenon that was going on in the clear sky, was enough to make me put my coat on and rush outside. Finding the perfect spot — namely a swing park right next to my house that added to the enchanting experience —, I sat down and looked up for about an hour. I was mesmerised by the feeble veils dancing in the night, their green hues mixing in with the dark blue of the sky. I even saw a shooting star passing them by; needless to say this was a memorable moment. I was also glad that I could observe the auroras without freezing to death, which is always a plus. Sorry to disappoint folks, but it's not snowing yet.
I also got to discover other places near Tromsø, especially some of Kvaløya's wonderful fjords. This would not have been possible without the work of the organisers of these trips, so big shout-out to them. I decided to share a few pictures from Grøtford (to which I went during DebutUKA, aka the Norwegian equivalent of orientation week) and Brensholmen (during a camping trip called Freskluft 2017, meaning fresh air).
Setting up a tent (for the first time) in Brensholmen was, to say the least, laborious. My tentmates and I had to brave the strong winds and rain and hope that our temporary shelter wouldn't fly away. We ended up soaked to the bone and it was still pretty chilly inside, but we made it nevertheless. Thankfully, the sky cleared the next day and I could enjoy the nice scenery, including a beach with emerald green water. Fresh air sure did not fail me that weekend.
