June 11: We made our breakfast in our rented unit. It was a delightful breakfast with bacon, eggs, and a cup of aroma coffee. We were grateful for the convenience of having a kitchen because breakfast cafes in many European cities are hard to come by in the early morning, and they tend to open later. Having the kitchen allowed us to avoid the hassle of searching for food on the streets during those early hours.

After enjoying our breakfast, we proceeded to the local tourist information center to gather valuable insights about the area. We purchased a 24-hour tourist card combining the bus pass and tickets for two prominent attractions: the Arctic Cathedral and Fjellheisen (Cable Car). Excited about our plans, we embarked on our exploration and first headed to Telegrafbukta Beach Park, situated at the southern tip of Tromsoya Island.

At the beach park, we took a leisurely stroll along the seaside, captivated by the soothing sound of waves gently crashing against the shore. The sight of snow-capped mountains across the water added a touch of majesty to the landscape. As we walked, we felt the refreshing sea breeze on our faces, and from time to time, we sat on the benches, fully immersing ourselves in the tranquil ambiance surrounding us.

Our next plan was to take the cable car to the mountaintop, where we expected a stunning view of Tromso. However, we were disheartened to learn that the cable car was closed due to strong winds when we arrived by bus. Disappointed but undeterred, we visited the next attraction, the Arctic Cathedral, which had a charming exterior and interior. Unfortunately, the weather worsened with strong winds and drizzling rain, so we returned to the hotel for a break. As the bad weather continued, our concern grew about the potential impact on the planned midnight hiking tour tonight. The rain might interfere with the tour's enjoyment and safety, making us unsure what to expect.

Fortunately, the rain stopped, and the sun emerged in the evening. At 8 pm, a tour guide picked up Chenggang in Tromso city center and drove him and other participants over the Snadnessunbrua bridge to a larger island, Kvaloya. The first encounter was several reindeer roaming along the roads. The driver let us get out of the car to take some pictures.

Due to the recent rains, the trail was murky and slippery. Undeterred by the challenging conditions, the group embarked on a four-hour nighttime hike up the mountain. Chenggang had a couple of slips and falls during the descent, but it didn't dampen his spirits. Witnessing the sun hanging high in the midnight sky was a breathtaking and surreal sight that left everyone in awe.

Chenggang returned to the hotel around 1 am the next day, feeling exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. The entire experience had been invigorating, and despite the late hour, he felt a surge of energy, almost tempted to continue the journey on foot. The memories of that extraordinary hike will stay with him for a long time, making it a truly unforgettable adventure.

June 12: Our day began with a visit to the tourist information center, where we inquired about yesterday's cable car closure. Fortunately, the staff understood and was kind enough to refund our ticket for the portion of the cable car ride. With that sorted, we proceeded to our next destination, the Polaris Museum. We had the delightful opportunity at the museum to witness a dolphin feeding show. It was a captivating experience, observing these intelligent and playful creatures up close.

The new cruise terminal at the city center was well-equipped, with convenient amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and buses, but it only accommodated small ships with fewer than a thousand passengers. Unfortunately, for our NCL Star cruise, we had to embark from the old terminal, which was outdated and lacking in facilities. In the afternoon, we took a bus to the old cruise terminal located 4 kilometers away from the city center. The absence of passenger lounges was particularly noticeable, and security checks were conducted in large tents, which wasn't as efficient or comfortable. We waited about an hour to pass through the security check and check-in.

Besides this terminal, Norway's public infrastructure was excellent, even in remote small towns, with good roads, public transport, and reliable mobile communication and networks. We haven't used cash so far, and our T-Mobile phones have had no connectivity or data usage issues.

Today marks the beginning of our 12-day cruise to Norway and Iceland, exploring the Arctic Circle. Since visiting Antarctica, we've desired to experience the Arctic. During our trip to Alaska, we didn't dare to drive to the Arctic Circle for a photo, but this time, we can immerse ourselves in the Arctic Circle, fulfilling a dream come true.

After boarding the NCL Star, we dined at the buffet restaurant on the 12th floor before settling into our rooms. With a few hours left before departure, we got off the ship. We explored a nearby botanical garden due to its unique geographical location, featuring flora distinct from the southern regions.

At 8 pm, our ship departed from the cruise terminal, setting the stage for our exciting journey. Over the next few days, we will be venturing farther north, delving deeper into the captivating wonders of the Arctic region. The most remarkable aspect of this northern expedition is the phenomenon of the midnight sun. The sun remains a constant companion, gracing us with its presence throughout the day and night, as we imagined. As we continue our voyage, we eagerly anticipate the breathtaking landscapes and unique adventures that lie ahead in this extraordinary journey under the enchanting glow of the midnight sun.

6/11: 北纬69.65度（Tromso)

今天的早餐自己做，房间自带厨房很方便，鸡蛋，培根，咖啡等等。欧洲许多城市早晨吃早餐的地方不多，店都开得比较晚，对早起的人来说有点不方便。有厨房的话就不用满街找吃的了。

早上先去当地的旅游信息中心了解一下情况，买了包括24小时的公交车和二个主要景点的联票之后便开始踩点。首先坐车来到海边的公园，沿着海边慢慢走，听着浪声，看着对面的雪山，偶尔在椅子上坐坐，真是非常享受。接着我们准备坐缆车🚡，据说在山顶上俯瞰整个Tromso很漂亮。兴冲冲坐车来到山脚下，却被告知今天风太大，缆车不开。那一刻我们别提有多失望了，坐缆车可是我们买的联票中的一个项目。没办法只能去下一个景点-教堂，教堂的里外都比较别致。我们到教堂时外面刮起大风，也开始下毛毛雨，看完教堂后赶着回酒店。担心的是今晚还有个重要项目－北极半夜徒步爬山。

很幸运，傍晚开始雨停日出。晚八点由导游带着我们几位开车到另外一个小岛上去，来回路上还碰到不少驯鹿。在山上走了四个小时，回到酒店已第二天早晨一点了。整个过程很过瘾，有一种说不出的感觉，既是时过半夜，人还是很兴奋，想继续走下去。

6/12: 北纬69.65度（Tromso)

早晨先去旅游信息中心询问一下昨天没坐上缆车的事，他们就把缆车的票钱退还给我们。然后就去看了一下Polaris 博物馆，在那里观看喂海豚表演。

午后我们坐着公交车去了4公里外的游船老码头。他们在市中心造了个新的码头，周围环境很好，酒店，饭店，大巴应有尽有，很方便，但新码头只能停靠一千人以下的小船。而老码头设施陈旧，周围什么都没有，连乘客楼都没有，安检都是在大帐篷里做的。但话也说回来，挪威的其它公共设施还是很好的，既便是偏僻的小城里，公路，公交车，手机通信和网络都很不错。至今我们还没用过现金，我们的T-Mobile手机也畅通无阻，不用加流量。

今天将开始我们12天的挪威，冰岛游轮行，去北极圈转转。自从去过南极后，一直想到北极看看。上次去阿拉斯加时没敢开车去北极圈打卡，这次能深入北极圈也算是梦想成真。

上船后，我们先去十二层自助餐厅用餐，饭吃完房间也可以入住了。离开船还有几个小时，把行李放下后，我们又下船去码头附近的植物小园看看，因为这里的地理位置关系，植物园里树木花草之类的东西是不能与南方比的。

晚上八点，我们的NCL Star游轮慢慢地离开了船码头，以后的十几天里我们的行程会越来越往北，太阳会总是陪伴着我们，黑夜不再存在，有点不可思议。