As National Geographic Resolution approached Heimaey, we were met by the pilot who guided us into the narrow entrance to Heimaey Harbour. The entrance is very narrow because of the lava flow from the 1973 eruption of Eldfell, Fire Mountain. We watched with bated breath while our ship, with amazing agility, “turned on a dime” at the harbour entrance and backed into her berth at the dock.
Today many of us enjoyed a tour of this amazing volcanic island while some climbed Eldfell, a cinder cone volcano. It was a steep climb, but we were rewarded by magnificent views and a strong wind at the summit where the hot breath of the volcano still, after 29 years is emitting hot steam in a few places.
In the afternoon we headed out of the harbour to explore and see the other Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar); we circumnavigated the young island, Surtsey, that rose from the sea in 1963.
