Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     
   
 
 
 
S.W. Iceland
 
 
W. Iceland
N.W. Iceland
N. Iceland
E. Iceland
S.E. Iceland
 
Faroe Islands
 
Scotland
 
 

Day 10: The South East: Höfn, Hornafjörður

Expert navigation into (and out of) Höfn. A morning excursion to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon. An afternoon stroll to look at horses.
Sunday 18th June 2023
 
 
 
This is the route which we took overnight. The large area in white is Vatnajökull (Vatna Glacier), the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland and the second largest in Europe. it would feature in today's activities.
 
The port was quiet (or should that be completely dead!).
No signs of life, no port security, nothing. Well, it was Sunday, so perhaps that explains it.
 
Two coaches did turn up eventually, just in time for our excursion.
 
 
Geoff didn't fancy the long coach drive, but Bruce decided to go. The journey was starkly beautiful, with the sea on one side and the huge ice cap/glacier on the other. Unfortunately we didn't stop en-route, but I did manage to get a few photos in both directions. (The distance shown is for the return trip).
 
Road art as we left Höfn.
 
 
 
 
First sight of the lagoon at Jökulsárlón.
 
 
Looking out towards the sea as the now almost-melted icebergs come to the end of their three week slow glide out of the lagoon and into the sea.
 
Looking inland to where the icebergs are somewhat larger.
 
 
Somebody thought it might be a good opportunity for a dip in the lagoon!
 
Others preferred to keep dry on a Zodiac.
 
Our group took a different mode of transport on one of the amphibious vehicles. A novelty from me!
 
 
It was an extraordinary experience!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
An ice diamond...
...delivered to us by two members of the Zodiac team...
 
...who were clearly very good friends!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At the end of the adventure, we went back to this spot, downstream of the bridge, where we could do a little bird spotting.
 
 
 
 
 
We also had some time to walk on the bleakly beautiful diamond beach.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All too soon, it was time to leave. I got some good views of the vast ice cap and glaciers on the way back to the ship.
 
 
 
Our guide was passionate. As a captive audience, we were treated to some local folklore and to his singing! There is no sound for the first couple of minutes.
 
 
After lunch, Bruce set off on foot for what turned out to be a 6km walk. He had seen some horses in a field from the coach earlier and realised that he hadn't had an opportunity to see one close up. This was the last opportunity before leaving Iceland.
 
Success! A couple of the famous Iceland horses at close quarters.
 
 
 
...and a redshank thrown in for good measure.
 
Returning to the still deserted port in good time for the 5:30pm all aboard time. We had to depart promptly at 6:00pm because of the tides and the tricky navigation out of the port. The departure came and went and there was no sign of any port staff to untie us. Every five minutes, the captain blew the ship's horn which we assumed was in an attempt to get somebody to come. Eventually at 6:30pm a car drew up with some men who freed the ship. We have no idea how close we were to not being able to depart at all this evening.
 
 
The tricky departure sequence begins...
 
...following this route.
 
 
 
 
 
Fifteen minutes later, we were heading out to open sea.
 
 
A toast as we left Iceland behind us and headed towards the Faroe Islands. What an amazing country. We leave with wonderful memories.
 
A reminder of the places we have visited whilst on the ship.
 
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble