Isafjordur

Today’s arrival into Isafjordur was spectacular - massive mountains surrounded us and the fjord was beautiful.  We left the pier at 9.30 on a 3 1/2 hour tour called ‘Fjords and Flowers’.  Isafjordur is a small town in the western fjords region, over 400kms north of Reykjavik.  We saw holiday cottages halfway up a mountain, only about 8-9kms from the town - apparently in the summer when they hang the fish carcasses to dry the stench is dreadful so they escape to the mountain for fresh air!  We went through a 6 km tunnel, after 1 km there was a right hand turn leading off to another fjord but we went straight ahead and the road was then just one lane.  Traffic going north had to give way to traffic travelling in the other direction!  Very unusual. 

First stop was in the little town of Flateyri - our guide, an English man, lives there with his wife, so the commentary was excellent.  We stopped at a little Lutheran church where a young man entertained us with 3 Icelandic songs then we moved on to the coffee shop where morning tea was served.  Like we needed food!!!  This town has the oldest bookstore in Iceland - they sell books by the kilo!!!  The guy behind the counter is the grandson of the original owner.  On then to another fjord and to a special garden in the middle of nowhere - Skrudur, a privately owned garden with amazing plants which normally would not grow in these conditions but perseverance has paid off.  The poppies about to bloom will be massive! 

Saw many eider ducks with ducklings - apparently in one area the local church minister owns the ducks and sells the down for profit.  It seems he goes out every night around midnight with a gun and watches for predators ie foxes etc.  Obviously not many pennies dropping in the plate on Sundays!!!!!

Back to the port, had lunch on the ship then went independently for a walk to the town centre.  Everything very expensive as you  would expect.

Being July 4 it was very special on the ship for the Americans.  We went to soirée in the Galileo lounge which was all decked out in banners and balloons and anything red, white and blue.  Several passengers wore stars & striped shirts.  The National anthem was sung and then nice music.  The after dinner show was, again, American themed and we sang God Bless America - was lovely.