Filipinos who see the Aurora Borealis through photos might think that it’s just a movie effect that can easily be edited – however, the real magic happens before your very eyes at the northern part of the world at Norway, in Tromso!
TFT Lifestyle TV’s Dan on the Go recently visited the major cultural hub of the Arctic Circle – Tromso, which is likewise popularly known as the viewing point of the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis.
Centuries of architectural wonders and archives. The city itself is known for the distinctive designs of centuries-old wooden houses. Further adding to that historical marvel is the book lover’s haven: The Tromso Public Library and City Archives, where the strikingly beautiful aesthetic modern interiors meet sheets and papers that document the history of the town that it is today. The best part? Not only the place easily accessible and cozy, access to the library is free of charge!
Magic Ice Bar. Those who love to chill back, relax and meet like-minded individuals can experience a uniquely natural ice-blue interiors of the Magic Ice Bar. Visitors will be asked to suit up to enjoy Tromso’s flavorful local drinks.
Chasing the Northern Lights. Dan sought the help of experts to get a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Chasing Lights is a popular group in Norway that aids travelers to see the Northern Lights and is led by its founder and owner, Thomas Hunger.
“The most important thing is that we need clear skies, once we’re out of Tromso and when it’s dark outside, we need to see many stars and once we have the right conditions, we need to be patient,” said Hunger
Natural Luminous Phenomenon. The science behind the beauty of the Aurora Borealis is that it’s caused by disturbances of magnetosphere caused by solar winds. This then gives a natural electrical phenomenon characterized by streamers of reddish or greenish lights in the skies.
While Dan wasn’t so lucky during the first evening when they travelled an hour and a half to Valoya and waited 4-6 hours, they still persisted and managed to catch an amazing view of the Northern Lights during their second evening. A 3-hour drive towards Skibotn, the border of Finland, Norway, and Sweden with temperatures all the way down at around -15 degrees.
“(The Aurora Borealis appears) …every night in clear skies, not always strong – sometimes it’s just a tiny bit, to the point that the whole sky can be full of green and pink,” explains Hunger.
So if Aurora Borealis is in your bucket list, this is the place to go to enjoy its magnificent views! “Tromso is a beautiful place – very cold temperatures but very nice and you get the chance to see this!,” said Hunger.
TFT Lifestyle TV is a weekly show that tells the life stories and shares the lifestyle of OFWs based in the UAE. A new episode is shown every Friday so be sure to check the Facebook page of The Filipino Times to stay updated with each episode.
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