May 13, 2025

After we sail from Tromso, Norway we will experience a number of days with endless sunlight. Should be very interesting.

During the Arctic summer nights, the city of Tromsø never sleeps also called the midnight sun season. The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that only occurs in places north of the Arctic Circle. Between May until late July the sun never sets.

It is possible to observe the aurora borealis (northern lights) from Tromsø, as northern Norway is located in the auroral zone. As it is always light in the summer, no aurora is visible between late April and mid-August. But we did see a lot of these:

Trolls are mythical creatures that play a major role in Norwegian folklore. There is even a troll museum in Tromso. I find it interesting that the Norwegians have a museum to something that doesn’t exist!

Yet, I’m beginning to learn that this typical for Norwegians. These are not the Prince Charming or Cinderella that live in Castles. Trolls live under bridges or in tight caves. They are not dressed up in finery. They are made of muck. They are not shiny; they are ancient and strange and maybe just a bit unsettling like the landscape itself. It makes since in a place where wind can last for half the year, the sun just doesn’t show up, your stories don’t come from abundance, they come from endurance.

There is a famous Norwegian quote that says:

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,

We borrow it from our children.”

This is a mindset that may seem radical to some. In a world where we are encouraged to upgrade, refresh, discard. I’m good with this sweater with a missing button, the chipped mug, the left-over stew, it still works, it still matters. Beneath all the trends and brand name ski jackets, there is this continued thread of restraint with Norwegians.

It is ok to hold on. From waiting until the last flicker before the candle is replaced to saving the brown paper bag to carry another lunch.

The beauty of the country itself is a left over. The Norwegian fjords weren’t created. They were left over. They were carved, grinded down stone until all that was left was sheer cliffs and amazing blue waters.

Norwegians endorse a lifestyle that changes scarcity into sufficiency. This is a country where scarcity breeds creativity. Mythical creatures here are not prim, proper and pampered but rough, tough and scrappy. As a matter of fact, scraps aren’t seen here as 2nd rate, they are the soul of the story.

Thanks for traveling with us.