Shamrock 9

Yesterday, when we arrived in Isafjordur, Iceland, we were really "socked" in with fog and low hanging clouds, despite the forecast of partly sunny skies. Our excursion to "The Bird Island of Vigur" was early, and it did not looks promising for photo opportunities.

The excursion began with a short walk to a touring boat for the 30-minute ride to the island. It was cold and damp--probably in the low to mid-40s. The island is known for its bird life, including puffins, eider ducks, and arctic terns.

There are only about 5 inhabitants of the island and during the winter only 2 we were told. The farmer makes his living by harvesting the down of the eider duck. It is like stepping back in time. Our guide talked around the "town," and their were birds everywhere. We saw eggs along the way and the down that is used for the nests. We also carried sticks with little blue flags on it so we could wave to fight off the terns that were not pleased by our presence, probably thinking we were a threat to their young. There was a very small windmill that could actually rotate on its base.

When we finally viewed the puffins, they were in fairly large numbers, but very far out in the water, and my photos were taken at a great distance (as you can tell from the results). It was a photographic challenge.

At the end of the tour, we were taken to the "factory" to see some machines that dry the eider, and separate it from unwanted material. The result was incredibly light down that keeps one very warm. I heard that a queen size comforter was on the order of $1100!

As the tour progressed, we were getting colder and colder. I sure wish I had packed my hiking shoes and had layered even more. It was great to finally go in for refreshments of tea or coffee and some a nice nut tart, sweet bread, and some type of fried donut-like pastry.

After returning, we had lunch and didn't do much until Trivia. The sun burned off the low-hanging clouds and eventually it was extremely bright, beautiful blue skies, and sunny till well past 9 PM. We did not win Trivia. We had two answers that we changed; if we hadn't we would have won. Who was asked to play Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz" before Judy Garland? We first thought Shirley Temple, then I mentioned possibly it was Liz Taylor because of National Velvet, and we changed it. We thought Shirley Temple was too old by then. However later we realized that Liz didn't make sense because she never sang. The other question was what body part does not change size as one ages? Ngaire postulated eyes, one of a doctor present on our team convinced us that wasn't true (which it was according to answers) and in the last minute, I think Ngaire mentioned belly button, which we thought was a funny answer, but not the correct one. Oh well.

We had a delicious dinner. I had a small portion of lobster tail--a main course--as an appetizer followed by delicious piece of prime rib. Despite going to the gym again, I'm losing the battle of weight gain with all this wonderful food. I also saw the stars of the "La Cirque" who were working out at the gym, and I asked if they were trying to make us all look bad. The guy answered that he was providing "motivation"! He saw me weight myself and said he wished he was that light. I laughed because he's probably six inches taller, 30 years younger than me, incredibly strong and in fantastic shape.

We just arrived in Akureyri, Iceland, where we have an excursion just past noon. It's partly cloudy and 41 degrees. There is some chance of precipitation, but hopefully that won't happen. Gail got to sleep in!

More later.

The boat we took to Vigor Island


The thriving metropolis


The 200-year old boat used to transfer sheep and whatever


The tiniest windmill in Iceland? Note the whole windmill revolves on its base


Some Eider eggs along the path


One of the hundreds of terns; this one came out fairly clear