Tromsø, Norway: February 2, 2025

Today we are in port all day (8:00 am to 6:00 pm) which allows for longer excursions and time away from the ship. We went dogsledding in the nearby town of Ramfjordbotn. The sled dog company has two types of dogs: Siberian Huskies shown above, and Alaskan Huskies.

Siberians are a registered breed. They are stocky, strong, and have thick coats. The dog team that took Dan and me for a ride is on the right side of the first photo. As they ran they looked to be having a great time out in the snow. Twenty minutes later we returned to the dog camp, and they threw themselves onto the cold, snowy ground. Hot, tired, or just conserving energy?

Unhooked from the sled they were ready to play, and kiss, and cuddle.

Alaskan Huskies are a mixed bag of dog breeds and are not a registered breed. That doesn't make them a less capable sled dog. The Alaskan dog type is characterized by their endurance, athleticism, and intelligence. The long legs of the Alaskans enable them to fun faster, and their shorter coats allow them to perform better in a warming climate.

"Genetic studies indicate that the Alaskan Husky originates from pre-Colonial North American Arctic village dogs (including precursors to the Alaskan Malamute) and Siberian imports (precursors to the Siberian Husky), crossbred with European breeds such as Pointers, German Shepherd Dogs, and Salukis to improve its performance." Wikipedia

Sled dogs, usually Alaskan Huskies, were essential to survival in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1890. See the wonderful novels by Jack London depicting sled dogs.

Several of the Alaskans wore booties on their rear feet. The Siberians did not wear booties.

They have a breeding program for both types of dogs. Siberian puppies and mom below. We were told that the dogs choose when to retire. When the dog is no longer having fun, it is re-homed.

We had so much fun with the sledding, the dogs, and the beautiful day. On the way back to Tromsø, we asked the bus driver to drop us at the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø. The Arctic Cathedral is Tromsdalen Church. It was completed in 1965. Then we walked across the bridge to the Trollfjord arriving in darkness.

Cod is big in Norway. I read that cod made Norway the country it is today. Before there was oil, there was cod. There is fresh cod and also dried and salted cod called klippfisk (cliff fish). Traditionally, klippfish was dried outdoors by the wind and sun, often on cliffs and other bare rock-faces. Below are two photos of cod racks, one of klippfisk for sale at the Kristiansand Fish Market, and my lunch of Bacalhau. The hanging klippfish doesn't look very appetizing in that state. Salted, dried cod is very popular in many parts of Europe including Portugal, where it is called Bacalhau, and Spain. One day the ship served us Bacalhau for lunch and my mind changed. After the klippfish is soaked and rinsed over a 3-day period to eliminate the salt it becomes lusciously moist and delicious. And, if you compare the structure of the cod racks to the shape of the Arctic Cathedral above, you will instantly know from where the cathedral design originated.

Another beautiful day.

Next stop: Honningsvåg at 8:00 am