Norway Travel For the Very First Time: Illuminating Tromsø Through The Northern Lights
Monday, February 12, 2018 Norway 0 Comments

Norway Travel For the Very First Time

My lack of slumber and excess eye bags weren’t preventing me to be a wide-eyed owl human as our flight slowly descended to the Oslo International Airport in the Kingdom of Norway. At long last, my much-awaited visit to this unitary monarchy and this western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula was finally becoming a reality. Ever since I found out that Norway laid claims on a section of Antartica, ranking first on the World Happiness Report, and being the best place to live in the world, I always dreamt of visiting (and living) here someday. To me, this is the Japan version of Scandinavia, and everything about it is worth dreaming for; and to be able to finally visit Norway for the very first time, I was already pinching myself out of rib-tickling disbelief!

Norway, meaning “Northern Way” or “Way Leading to the North”, has a rich long history from the Viking age, Geographical and Climate changes, and of course, it’s ever-changing biodiversity and environment. Every page in the magazine in front of me, during my plane ride to Oslo, depicted attractive and dramatic sceneries and landscapes throughout Norway. From the west coast of Southern Norway down to its northern side, there are so so so so so and did I mention so many things to enjoy from. National Geographic and Instagram photographers are always having a visual feast here, especially since it’s home of the Midnight Sun and Aurora Borealis. Yes, Aurora – the one and only mission I had when I went to Norway!

In Troms County, Tromso, with a population of 60,000++, stories about the reality and lucidity of the Northern lights are abundant. It’s a never-ending tale of dancing green lights in this arctic area, and our troop of Northern Lights chasers were overly eager to meet and greet with Aurora. They say that this is where your Arctic adventure begins, but we started as soon as we landed in Oslo for our connecting flight. Us being Asians, we were really impressed by how charmingly civilized the airport is (read: hi tech?). It’s one of the better ones we have experienced in Europe.

Yes, Tromsø is the ideal space for seeing the northern lights and it has a contemporary combination of outdoor activities, a pulsating nightlife, and spaces to eat local food. Join me as I welcome you to another series of travels, this time in Norway, as we explore the majestic phenomenon of the northern lights and popular powder-ice city known as Tromso. Let my photos illuminate your interest in visiting this rich and fresh country. It’s time to "photo read" your way to this gateway to the arctic!