Yesterday I was a lucky man. Not only I witnessed one of the best shows that Earth has to offer but at the same time I realized one of my dreams.
The premises
Saturday, January 21st: If you have learnt your lesson, you already know it is the day when the sun comes out for the first time, each year, in Tromsø! :) That day, we were able to contemplate this magnificent show. A few hours later, some of my colleagues saw the Northern Lights. According to the forecast, this was a good day for auroras. They even have taken pictures as proof (I’m jealous)! After a film (really bad, by the way), we decide to go out and see if Northern Lights are showing. We barely set our noses out that the sky is already filled by those green lights dancing over our heads
We then walk up to the top of the island, but we only have time to take 2 bad pictures … that you will not see! Noooo, do not insist! :). The show ends as abruptly as this sentence. We are happy, but have to go back home frustrated. Grrrrr!
Divine revelation
Sunday, January 22nd: We are determined to see these magical green clouds once again. Thanks God, today the forecast is good! Once night falls, we take our little frozen noses out and … They are back! Maybe less powerful than yesterday, but they are there and we are thrilled! A few minutes later, two of my colleagues propose us to accompany them to Kvaløya for a Northern Lights hunt … I’m sure you can guess what is our answer :)
The first stop is north of the island. Some auroras are dancing for our eyes and cameras are operating at full capacity. The time is not especially cold (around -10°C), but a slight wind freezes us. You have to deserve those lights!
A few minutes later, we are really getting cold and the Northern Lights calmed down. We decide to find another spot. Heading south of the island!
On the way, many ”buses” are stopped on the side of the road for the same reasons that us (more like vans actually). However, we find a place for the car in the parking lot of a lake. Lake on which we settle for a divine contemplation session (… yeah … the lake is frozen during winter! ^^) . We are barely set that the show starts again.
What a show!
The auroras we have seen earlier seem bland and pitiful compared to what’s unveiling above us! Green rays break through the sky like needles and undulate sensuously in a profusion of green colors. We do not know where to look, the sky is full! I still have chills …
This astral communion last a few minutes during which we can hear frantic ”Wahouuuu”, “Hoooo look! There!” and “click! click!” (camera sound). The spectacle abruptly ceases once again, leaving behind nothing but a few scattered and spread colors … and of course a full set of images in our heads and memory cards :)
-julien
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