Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     
   
 
 
 
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Day 6: The North: Akureyri, Goðafoss & Hrisey, Eyjafjörður

A scenic drive from Akureyri to Goðafoss (waterfall), returning via the botanical gardens. A late afternoon nature hike on the island of Hrisey.

Wednesday 14th June 2023
 
Early this morning, we sailed into Eyjafjörður, a beautiful fjord in the north of Iceland.
 
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.
 
 
 
 
The port of Akureyri, Iceland's second largest city (or should that be town?).
 
Looking back towards the mouth of the fjord, around 60km away.
 
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.
 
Also in port was one of the luxury Ponant fleet.
 
 
 
Our route this morning. There is a tunnel which shortens the trip, but we were pleased to be taken on the more scenic route.
 
We would have missed views like this if we had gone through the tunnel.
 
 
Our first view of Goðafoss. Magnificent!
 
There were wild flowers and a variety of birds to make it even more interesting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meadow pippet.
 
 
 
We had plenty of time, so we decided to cross the bridge and get more views of the falls from the other side.
 
 
 
Another meadow pippet.
 
Common Butterwort, P vulgaris.
 
 
 
 
 
All too soon it was time to return to Akureyri.
 
 
On the way back, our guide arranged an unscheduled stop to admire the views of the town across the fjord.
 
 
 
 
 
Passing close to the end of the airport runway as we drove across the fjord.
 
 
 
We visited the Akureri Botanical Garden, but didn't join the guided walk, preferring to explore for ourselves.
 
 
 
 
Arctic Poppy.
 
 
 
 
We left the main group at the gardens and stolled into the town and ultimately back to the ship.
 
 
 
We visited the imposing Akureyrarkirkja along the way.
 
 
 
 
The centre of Akureri looked very pleasant.
 
 
Hof Cultural Center (Menningarhúsið Hof), close to the port and to our ship, which is where we were heading.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Geoff enjoying one of the local Icelandic beers that were available on the ship.
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
Geologist Susan and expedition leader Louis were waiting to help us disembark.
 
Snow Bunting.
 
Oyster Catcher.
 
 
This is the route of the 5km walk we took.
 
In context, the island is approx 7.5km long and 2.5km wide.
 
We were accompanied by two members of the expedition team; Dave and Grant (below).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It was a gorgeous day and the scenery was wonderful.
 
 
Once used for drying fish?
 
 
Godwit.
 
 
 
 
 
Golden plover.
 
 
 
 
 
Eiders.
 
Male Atlantic harlequin duck.
 
A curious fulmar.
 
 
Common eiders.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Golden plover.
 
Arctic skua.
 
No idea what this was!
 
Black-tailed godwit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The circular walk was almost complete as we walked back into the port village from the opposite direction.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble