Morning in the small town of Isafjördur. The sky was gray, but it was not raining. This was good, as today was a day of many options: a bike ride, a hike, a bus tour with several stops including a garden, and a walk about town that ended at a brew pub. This was the morning. After lunch, we cruised the whale-rich waters of Isafjarðardjún in the West Fjords. Well, of course, we found some whales, and what a show these humpbacks provided. One individual repeatedly breached for over an hour. I’ve never seen that before!
7/29/2023
Read
National Geographic Explorer
Westman Islands and Heimaey Village
This morning, we woke up to find National Geographic Explorer cruising the Westman Islands off the southeast coast of Iceland proper. These islands rise straight out of the ocean with towering, vertical cliffs that offer amazing views. With thousands of birds and interesting geology, this archipelago was fun for everyone to explore and photograph. In the afternoon, we went ashore for hiking and panoramic tours of Heimaey. This fishing community was the site of an intense volcanic rift eruption in 1973 that forced residents onto boats, not knowing if their homes would be there when they returned. After five months, residents returned to what was left of the village and began to rebuild. Guests were able to explore this dynamic place by hiking up the volcanic rim or viewing the surroundings via private coach, all affording excellent views and photographic opportunities. Our evening was spent cruising the newest island in the area, Surtsey. This island rose out of the ocean in 1963 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the sun slowly made its way toward the horizon, we all began to reflect on an amazing expedition around Iceland. Sharing stories with new friends was a great way to spend our last night on board.
