The big pack & Arctic Beer

And so the Norway adventure ends

After breakfast this morning we headed into the snow to have a last walk around the city centre and purchase some small items – luggage space at a premium with all the bulky clothing.

Bravely we left the spikes at the hotel and skidded our way accross the side walks. Tip – if your shoes allow it, walk in the fresh white snow. If it is dark and glistens – its re-frozen and slippery like hell. Here the road less travelled is the safest. Dunno what will happen tomorrow as there was rainfall earlier this evening and that is a recipe for slippery ice for sure.

Back in the room we started the big pack – Colin decided to fly with his bulkier snow boots, but I packed my Joan of Arctics in the luggage and will fly with the sneakers – taking my chances the few 100 m to the bus stop and at the airport.

The rest of the day was spent… honestly… sleeping, hence me catching up with the blog at 1:30 in the morning. I did not even read any of the books I loaded on the tablet – save the Betty White book or listened to any of the audiobooks I brought along.

After packing was completed we had a celebratory MACK beer (Product of Tromso MACK brewery – most northern brewery) on the porch of the hotel, watching people walk their dogs in the rain.

Trying to check in for the flight  Oslo-Istanbul was a problem as they changed the schedule slightly and we had to call Turkish Airlines Help desk to confirm the new schedule on the system. Only then were we able to check-in online. This was a scramble as we could net get the hotel phone to call anywhere but reception, both phones are SMS roaming only and the SIM Card in this tablet is for local calls and data only. Eventually I had to purchase skype credits (new experience) and skype call Turkey to sort out the admin. The gentleman was very helpful and after a few minutes we could do online check-in for the flight to Istanbul. The flight to SA only opens at 2am for check-in, so the alarm was set for that – an exercise in futilty as I will probably still be awake at that time.. LOL.

Tomorrow morning is literally wash & go as the bags are packed and clothes laid out. Only the most necessary items are still around and will be taken as hand luggage. Then its airports and transits… Maybe I’ll remember to get a Pistacio Magnum ice cream in Istanbul this time.