Day 6: The North: Akureyri, Goðafoss
& Hrisey, Eyjafjörður
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A scenic drive from Akureyri to
Goðafoss (waterfall), returning via the botanical
gardens. A late afternoon nature hike on the island
of Hrisey.
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Early this morning, we
sailed into Eyjafjörður,
a beautiful fjord in the north of Iceland. |
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Today was the first
day of a three day visit to this region. Over these three
days, we would visit all of the places below. |
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The port
of Akureyri,
Iceland's second largest city (or should that be town?). |
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Looking
back towards the mouth of the fjord, around 60km away. |
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One of
the Hanseatic fleet was in the port.
This one is similar to the one we should have sailed on to Alaska
last year before the trip was cancelled. |
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Also
in port was one of the luxury Ponant fleet. |
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Our route this morning.
There is a tunnel which shortens the trip, but we were pleased
to be taken on the more scenic route. |
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We would
have missed views like this if we had gone through the tunnel. |
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Our first view of Goðafoss.
Magnificent! |
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There
were wild flowers and a variety of birds to make it even more interesting. |
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Meadow
pippet. |
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We had
plenty of time, so we decided to cross the bridge and get more views
of the falls from the other side. |
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Another
meadow pippet. |
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Common
Butterwort, P vulgaris. |
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All too
soon it was time to return to Akureyri. |
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On the
way back, our guide arranged an unscheduled stop to admire the views
of the town across the fjord. |
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Passing
close to the end of the airport runway as we drove across the fjord. |
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Arctic
Poppy. |
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We left
the main group at the gardens and stolled into the town and ultimately
back to the ship. |
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The centre
of Akureri looked very pleasant. |
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Geoff
enjoying one of the local Icelandic beers that were available on
the ship. |
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Our first view of the
island of Hrisey.
We had sailed past it on the way in the early hours of this
morning when we were asleep. |
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Bruce decided to join
the group doing the long hike, so he was one of the first
to disembark via Zodiac. Geoff decided not go ashore. Dave
drove us and also accompanied us on the walk. |
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Geologist
Susan and expedition leader Louis were waiting to help us disembark. |
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Snow
Bunting. |
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Oyster
Catcher. |
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This
is the route of the 5km walk we took. |
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In context,
the island is approx 7.5km long and 2.5km wide. |
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We were accompanied
by two members of the expedition team; Dave and Grant (below). |
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It was
a gorgeous day and the scenery was wonderful. |
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Once
used for drying fish? |
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Godwit. |
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Golden
plover. |
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Eiders. |
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Male
Atlantic harlequin duck. |
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A curious
fulmar. |
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Common
eiders. |
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Golden
plover. |
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Arctic
skua. |
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No idea
what this was! |
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Black-tailed
godwit. |
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The circular
walk was almost complete as we walked back into the port village
from the opposite direction. |
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It was
7:30pm by the time we got back to the ship, just in time for dinner.
What a wonderful day it had been. |
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