Our streak of good weather continues, as sunshine and calm winds greet National Geographic Explorer as we navigate the fjords of northern Iceland. Today we explore Iceland’s rich culture, past and present, in two of Iceland’s northernmost towns.
After breakfast we go ashore at Sigufjordur, a small town with less than 2000 inhabitants, set against steep mountain slopes prone to dangerous avalanches that often block the road entering town during the long, dark Arctic winter. We are here to visit the award-winning maritime museum with its excellent displays, historic boats, and artifacts housed in refurbished warehouses. We are treated to a theatrical performance that recounts the colorful, and very profitable, history of herring fishing in the area. The black-headed gulls and Arctic terns also enjoy the demonstration, swarming and fighting over scraps of fish.
During lunch and the early afternoon the ship repositions to Akureyri, the second largest town in all of Iceland, after Reykjavik, with almost 17,000 inhabitants, and the jumping off point for visiting the active volcanic and geothermal areas to the east. We are met by local guides for walks through downtown and up to the church for a panoramic view of the waterfront, before ending at the botanical garden. To the delight of the photographers, the garden is in full bloom during the height of summer. We enjoy the friendly atmosphere of downtown before returning to the ship for another delicious dinner.
In preparation for tomorrow’s adventure to Lake Myvatyn, we enjoy a quiet night alongside the dock as the midnight sun paints the flat-topped mountains of Iceland’s longest fjord.
