The night was quietly spent in the shelter of a fjord, which was most welcome and meant a good night’s rest for all of us. It is just as well for many of us had spent the previous evening carousing and dancing!
If any of us had taken a look at the chart of Iceland we could well have been transported into the realms of Middle Earth, and looking out at the green slopes of the fjords around us we could almost see wizards, hobbits, and elves.
Just after breakfast the ship was positioned at an alternative anchor site, for the winds and the waves at the usual spot were too strong, and soon enough we were all ready to go ashore. The island we were to visit is called Vigur. Today the Zodiac trips were both windy and at times wet, an opportunity to test all that foul weather gear we brought with us. Once ashore we were in for a real treat.
The island is rich in wildlife and one species in particular took up most of our attention: the enchanting Atlantic puffin, with its almost ridiculous bill, often laden with little fish. They nest in their hundreds and the little burrows could be seen along the shoreline on the upper parts of the banks. There were also thousands of arctic terns nesting in the middle of the island as well as common eider ducks, which are a source of income for the owners of the island. They harvest the precious down and most of it is exported to the United States.
During lunch the ship sailed a short distance to dock at Ísalfjördur, our destination for the afternoon. There are three options: a city tour, a fjords and flowers excursion, and Valagil, a long hike to a beautiful waterfall. Once back on the ship and enjoying a cocktail we all enthusiastically have tales to share about our afternoon adventures.
But the day is not yet over for just as we are tucking into our desserts our expedition leader announces that humpback whales have been spotted. We hastily gulp down the last of our dinner, don our warm gear, pick up our binoculars and camera gear, and rush for the open decks or the bridge. For the next hour we are treated to a wonderful spectacle as these great marine mammals go about their business of gorging themselves on the goodies that these rich waters have to offer them.
It has been a wonderful first day in this wonderful country that have gifted us their sagas as well as some of the great explorers. We certainly look forward to all that is in store for us tomorrow and happily collapse into our beds for some sleep in this land of no darkness and little sleep.
