GOOD BYE MS MAUD AND HELLO REYKJAVIK

 OFF THE MS MAUD AND IN REYKJAVIK:

                           I KNOW WHERE WE ARE!!!!

  

                                  Yes looks a bit familiar

The Harpa, on the next trip we will be seeing the show "How to be Icelandic in 60 Minutes" We have seen it before and will do it again, informative and funny.

 Yes you Disney Cruise Fans there are decorated doors. They are crew doors.

 

After breakfast we did the final bit of packing and went to the Explorer Lounge to wait for our group to be called. 

Things were running slow so we had a bit of a longer wait. 

 

Finally off the ship and immigration was set up in a van just outside the ship. Here we presented our passports. The lady that took my passport flipped through the pages finally coming to a blank page and stamped. She said you must like it here.

We then walked to our hotel the Center Hotels Plaza. As expected, our room was not ready and we stowed our luggage. Off for a swim. 

 

                                  Our 10 trip Bus Pass

New technology at some of the bus stops. #14 takes us to the pool.

These are kewl tops on bottles here in Europe. Keeps onefrom loosing the top and maintains it for recycling. Well  Done.

                            OK YOU CAN NOW WALK!!!

              Oh I wonder what this establishment is like :)

             We have been walking by this sign for a few years and will see what we think tonight.



On the way to the bus stop we stopped at the 10-11 store and got an additional bus pass. Basically just to have for the next trip. We get a senior 10 trip pass. 

Then Lynn saw some nice key chains to use for our travel ornament for this trip. 

Then to the bus stop, we had a little wait for the #14 bus and were soon on our way to the pool.

 

 

At the pool we get a senior pass. (FREE) The young lady who checked us in maybe recognized us and said you know what you are doing and skipped the first time lecture on how to wash etc.

For those who don’t know to enter the pools in Iceland, one must take a nice shower. There are posters showing you where to wash. Yes there is a monitor there making sure all comply. 

We enjoyed some nice time at the pool. Our favorite pool has a 40C salt water tub. I also took a steam bath. After soaking a bit and getting wrinkled fingers, we headed to the hot dog stand. 

  To get into the pool you get a magic band that opens the gate as well as locks your locker.

 

                       Looks like it is the 40th Anniversary!!!

                                      Our Meal Deal

                   The Pool and Pylsuvagninn Lauguardal



For 1950 ISK we get two hot dogs a drink and a Prince Polo candy bar. 

Yes I was very very happy to have one of the best and most famous hot dogs in the world. 



Then we caught the bus back to the old town area and wandered the streets looking for an item for our camper SOLFAR. 

We have checked into the hotel and got to our room where we have done minimal unpacking as we are here only two nights. 



There is a pizza place we keep passing that still is inviting people in to try the worst pizza this one guy reported on trip advisor. 



 

After settling into our room we went for a walkabout. Our first stop was at an Elf Stone where some Huldufólk (little people) live. We like to stop by and tell them hello and how much we enjoy their land.

 

 

 

From there we walked by the City Government House/City Hall and to the lake. 

Our afternoon quest was for a special key chain for SOLFAR (our camper). We found our way to the main shopping street and went into a few shops to no avail. 

 

Then we needed to go to the Bonus store and found a nearby Ice Mart, basically a souvenir shop. These shops are everywhere, but this one had a key chain for SOLFAR which is perfect. 



Then to the Bonus store for some more items to take home. 

Tomorrow I have an appointment for some new ink and we timed the walk at about 15 min so will give myself 25 min.

We stopped in the Drunk Rabbit for a couple drinks before getting dinner next door. 

 

 

Bistro 101 is the location with the sign mentioning the one guy who reviewed the pizza as the worst he ever had. I am here to tell you the pizzas are wood fired and very very very good.

 

Now back at the room calling it a day, ready to crash. 

A DAY AT SEA THEN ICELAND HO, HEIMAEY

 A DAY AT SEA THEN ICELAND HO, HEIMAEY: 

 



7/6 was a day at sea, filled with lectures on all sorts of topics and many a whale sightings later in the day. 

While the seas were calm, the ship was rolling a good bit.

 

We did use some of the day to start packing up. 

7/7 we sight Iceland and will be at the Port of Heimaey. 

Our excursion today is a boat trip to see puffins. Well, the boat trip was great, filled with much information about the Island. We did see many sea birds (Guillemot, Kittiwakes, Gannets) and many puffins, most at a distance and the little boat was a tad rocky. That said, not a great photo platform, but an excellent trip around the island. Take your cell phone and enjoy the ride. 

The guillemot is interesting in that it lays its eggs on the rocks and not in a nest. The egg is not a normal egg shape but it odd shaped to keep it from rolling off the cliff nesting areas.

 

After the boat trip we made a pilgrimage to the local Bonus store and started our licorice collection. Also got a shopping bag.

 

 

With no hot dog stand in sight, I found a gas station. Gas stations in Iceland are a good place to procure a hotdog. Yes, it was heaven in a bun dressed to the max. 



We then walked to a stave church and a medical museum. The church was very nice and the medical museum interesting.

 

 

 We had passed a main street are where things were happening. And decided to check it out on the way back to the ship.  

On the main street are painted various forms of sea life on the road. They are pointed towards the water of the harbor, and in the direction of travel on the one way street.



The reason the main street was so active was most shops were closed (it is Sunday) and at least 3 micro brew houses were open. As it was an unusually sunny beautiful day, people were out enjoying the weather. 

We stopped on our way back for ice cream cones.

Back to the ship where we will sail away, have dinner, and the Captains farewell. 



Tomorrow we land in Reykjavik.

RUNAVIK THE SAFEST PORT IN THE FAROE ISLANDS:

Runavik THE SAFEST PORT IN THE FAROE ISLANDS:

 

 



Runavik is known as the safest port in the Faroe Islands. The port is called Kongshavn which translates to the Kings Harbour. This was a preferred harbour during WWII, but history tells us the King of Denmark and the early Vikings used this natural harbour because of its safe location. 



Founded in 1916, Runavík has an important port, originally used predominantly by fishing boats but now also a key supply base for the North Sea oil industry as well as a trans-shipment port for freight to and from Europe.[2] The harbour underwent development in the late 1990s[3] and can now accommodate cruise ships. 



We found this port to be very welcoming and the visitors bureau went all out to welcome our ship. They had representatives meet us at the dock, and then there were well identifiable representatives throughout the area with big signs saying “Ask Me”. 

We joined a photo walk and got some images of water. The guide had been told there was bird life to be found on a local lake. Alas, no one told the birds to be there. 



We walked back into town and made a stop at the Bonus Store. We bought some different dry soups for our stay in Reykjavik after the cruise. 



Back to the ship for lunch. 



There was a concert held in a green park as a welcome for our ship. There was a three person group who entertained us with Faroese folk songs. This was really nice.

 

 

 Back to the ship where we will enjoy sail away. Then we will watch for wildlife as we sail out the fjord. 

The Coastal Kitchen tonight on deck 9 will feature waffles. 

Then a programs called “How to Make History”. 



Then we hope to have dinner and call it a day. Alas no we went to Deck 9 and took in the scenery as we sail north. The seas will be calm and the winds fair. Tomorrow is a Day at Sea. 

 

 

Faroe Isles TORSHAVN:

 Faroe Isles TORSHAVN:

 

 

We are making our way to Tórshavn, Thor’s Harbour,  usually locally referred to as simply Havn, is the capital and largest city of the Faroe Islands.   It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy. Torshavn has been a trading center for many years and whaling was and is a primary industry. During WWII it was a headquarters for the Royal Navy. 


Up early for coffee and then breakfast. The porridge is always good. 

We should arrive at about 1200 and as such we will have activities onboard. I will do a wildlife watch at 0900 and then a lecture later on the engine room. 



We will be docking at a working port and have to be shuttled to the entrance. Our walking tour is later in the afternoon.

After a lite lunch, we went ashore and did a walkabout. We returned to the ship for a break and waited for our walking tour. 

 

We found our room decorated with an American flag and “Happy 4th of July” written on the mirror. The “Afternoon Sweet” was a Red,White and Blue 4th of July cake. And there are only 13 U.S. citizens aboard the ship.



We very much enjoyed the most informative walking tour, learning about the old town area, fishing and trade. 



 

                       A Viking sundial carved into the rocks.

                                    Iceland Consulate

 

After the tour we noticed the hot dog stand was open and I was called to get a hot dog. It was very close to an Icelandic hot dog. 

We returned to the ship where the menu for tonight was American Fare. All was rather good.

Back to the ship and calling it a day. We are really enjoying this cruise.