Fun in Tromso on a memorable day in the cold Arctic! (Photo-essay)

The day that King Neptune came on board the MS Richard With was a memorable one --and not only because of the Crossing the Arctic Circle ceremony took place that morning. Among other things, as I was walking out of the ship's restaurant after breakfast, I spotted a fin sticking out of the water like a shark's and upon closer scrutiny, realized that it belonged to one of three whales swimming just a few meters away from the ship!

Try as I might though, I was unable to get good photographic records of these spottings.  On the other hand, I think I got some fine -- and fun! -- pictures to remember Puppet Ponyo and my visit to the university town of Tromso later that day... ;b

This, our second day in the Arctic, also was the second day 

in which we experienced the midnight sun

Rather than being super sunny, however, it was on the gray side

that day -- as this photo (which has one whale fin in it) shows! ;S

 Creatures like this long whiskered sea lion were much easier 

to spot and photograph at Polaria's Arctic aquarium in Tromso

And this is what a sea urchin (of uni fame) looks like! :b

Shades of the curious fish at Seoul's COEX Aquarium:

Methinks this sea lion was besotted by Puppet Ponyo! :D

 Because it was super cold and windy in Tromso that day, I decided 

against walking across the bridge to visit the Arctic Cathedral

Instead, I spent some time in the warm confines of

 the Olhallen Brewpub which has an amazing 

56 beers (all Norwegian microbrews) on tap! 

I wish I'd been able to spend more time in Tromso's oldest pub 

(and sample more of its beers) than I did -- but, hey, 

at least Puppet Ponyo and I did have some fun while there! ;b