Change of Plans

As we were getting ready to leave Seydisfjordur (north eastern Iceland), the Captain announced that we could either travel south (on the east coast) to Reykjavik through a horrendous storm, or head north, then west, then south, to avoid the storm. He decided to take his "Beautiful White Lady" the alternate route (marked with asterisks)so that we would have a smooth sailing. Everyone was excited about traveling above the Arctic Circle.

 

Eskifjordur

This is the town where we had lunch and visited the Maritime Museum.

 

 

 

 

Oldest home in town.

Emergency Rescue Volunteers

During a rest stop, we had the opportunity to meet the amiable, well-equiped emergency rescue fellows. Their equipment is designed to be able to handle the sometimes difficult Icelandic terrain.

 

Arriving in Seydisfjordur, Iceland--July 1, 2010

One of the reasons we decided to take this cruise was due to the fact that we would be able to visit 5 ports in one of our favorite places, Iceland. Seydisfjordur is located in the northeastern part of the island. As you can tell by the photos, the weather was overcast and just starting to rain.

 

 

 

The lupines are not native to Iceland. Someone brought them in, and they have taken over. (I thought they were quite pretty, but many Icelanders do not like them at all.)

 

A lot of the area is covered with a thick moss coating. If the moss is disturbed, we were told it would take 100 years to regenerate.

WEB CAMS AND VIDEOS

Whenver possible, I am adding special Web Cams or Videos about the places we have been. They are located on the upper right side bar entitled "Destination Fun Sites".

Torshavn Surprise

When we returned from the western cliffs to our ship in the harbor, we were surprised to learn that during our absence, the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, had arrived in her royal yacht. (On the left, with flags)

 

Time to Return to Torshavn

 

Another beautiful sea cave

 

Boat houses, Vestmanna

 

Army headquarters. Since the military has been disbanded, this sod-roofed property is now for sale, we were told.

 

Sheep may rule the islands, but there are other livestock as well.

More Vestmanna Cliffs

The wave action over the centuries has carved tunnels into the rock formations. We were able to access these with the small boat. (We were provided with helmets, in case a boulder came crashing down.)

 

 

 

 

Vestmanna Western Cliffs

The western side of the Faroe Islands have been pelted by centuries of intense weather. The cliffs are very steep, but covered with edible grass for the sheep. One wonders how the sheep can keep from falling into the sea. They share their space with a variety of birdlife who nest in the cliffs. This is a very scenic area.

 

 

 

 

Faroe Islands -- Vestmanna to the Cliffs

 

Sightseeing boat to the cliffs

 

Remote building near a deep ravine. The face of these mountains are very steep. They send the sheep here to graze. The quality of the meat is superlative to any lamb worldwide, we were told. It is quite a challenge rounding up the sheep as winter approaches.

 

Abandoned community near the opening to the sea.

 

Faroe Islands--On the Way to Vestmanna

 

Fjord-side village

 

Sod roofs

 

Cozy village built where ages old glacier fed into the ocean.

 

Vestmanna harbor

Faroe Islands -- Scenes

 

When you don't have much vegetation, you create interest by using varied colors.

 

Country home and Faroe Island sheep. Later, I will show some very steep hills where the sheep graze during the summer. Because of the distance, the sheep are hard to see.

 

Tunnel through the mountains. The driver took another route back (so he wouldn't have to pay the tolls.)

 

Always remember to bring a lightweight raincoat to the Faroe Islands. The weather can change very rapidly. I love the Faroe Islands cloud formations.

Torshavn, Faroe Islands, June 30, 2010

The Faroe Islands are located midway between the Scottish Shetland Islands and Iceland. This is a view of the protected port of Torshavn from a hill overlooking the harbor. The Ocean Princess is the larger of the two ships (on the right).