Ísafjörður and Vigur Island
August 12, 2024 finds us. Sailing into a wide fjord to Ísafjörður. I have been up scanning the waters for whales to no avail.
Soon we will head to coffee and breakfast. I think the plan is to go to Mamson’s. Mamson’s is where one can find some more traditional Nordic foods.
We were in Isafjordur years back when we sailed with Nat Geo/Lindblad. Our experience and research tells us Isafjörður is a town in the Westfjords region of northwest Iceland. Known for its dramatic landscapes. The old town has wooden houses with corrugated tin roofs built by fishing merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Westfjords Heritage Museum has exhibits on the town’s maritime history, including a collection of old fishing boats. The old hospital, now a cultural center, contains archives and photography.
Furthermore, ĺsafjördur was founded in the 9th century by the Viking Helgi Magri Hrólfsson. Foreign merchants arrived in the 16th century and set up trading posts here. Today, ĺsafjördur is home to one of the largest fisheries in Iceland and, despite its remote locale, boasts a cultural scene rich in music and drama. The oldest house in Iceland is here, built in 1734, as is the country’s largest concentration of old timber-frame homes. Many visitors explore farther afield, delving into the surrounding wilderness of Hornstrandir or discover the fishing heritage of charming coastal towns.
We will also make a return visit to Vigur Island. The spear-shaped island has earned a strong reputation for bird-watching in Iceland, and is home to magnificent birdlife during early summer. Arctic terns often soar overhead, sharing the island with eider ducks, black guillemots and summer visiting puffins. Despite being the second-largest island in Ísafjördur Bay, the island has only 10 inhabitants. We met the locals and learned how they live off the land by harvesting the down of the eider, a northern sea duck. The world’s softest, lightest down, eiderdown is extremely rare, in great demand and highly prized.
Upon returning to the main island we journeyed off to find a hot dog. We had learned it was near the Netto (local grocery store). We did find it and had a hot dog as we returned to the ship.
To be Icelandic one must only give directions in a very general manner. We learned this to be very true as we searched for todays hot dog. You will be given a very general direction a very general area. As we Icelanders say, Þetta reddast.
Back on board, I worked on editing the days photos until we got ready for dinner.
Tonights meal was at Manfredi’s, northern Italian fare. Most Most Most excellent, great wine, great food. Sorry Disney Cruise line fans they made Palo look like Village Inn.
We met friends at the theater for a Beatles tribute show. I will add the entertainment had been very enjoyable.
Random Photo dump for the day.
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