Day 2 – June 21, 2024 – Heimaey, Iceland
So, John and I were woken up by the overhead speaker in the room letting us know that due to unfavorable weather conditions, all excursions were cancelled as we would have to tinder from the ship to the dock. It was raining and VERY windy, so good call as I’m sure it would not have been a pleasurable experience. Since we could not go ashore, the ship went back to sea to head around the island to the east side, Eskifjordur.
Since we had gone to bed by 9:30 p.m. the night before and slept until 8 a.m. the next morning, I felt more human! We got up, headed for a light breakfast, and then went to the gym for a while. I hit the treadmill and then did some much needed stretching and John did some weights and then stretching with me. We had lunch with the parents and then decided to spend the afternoon playing cards (Hand and Foot, girls won!) until happy hour (which is any time when on the ship, lol!).
At 6 p.m. they had a Welcome Cocktail Party for those that were first timers and introduced some of the staff. Afterwards, we had dinner at the Compass Rose and while it was good, it wasn’t as good as Chartreuse. You are limited to how many reservations you can make to the specialty restaurants as to give everyone a chance to book, which is only fair. We were told that after tomorrow, the 22nd, you can then book more based on availability.
It was another early night as I am still trying to catch up on lost sleep, though it can never happen, but I will sure try! Tomorrow, in Eskifjordur, we have a waterfall mountain hike scheduled. Hoping the weather is better so that we can go! Nite all 😊
ABOUT HEIMAEY – taken from our daily newsletter
Heimaey is the largest and only inhabited island of the Westman Islands, located off the south coast of Iceland. It is home to around 4000 people who primarily make a living from fishing.
Heimaey is a volcanic island and in 1973, the Eldfell volcano erupted on the island, causing widespread destruction. The eruption began with a fissure opening up and lava spraying into the air. The entire population of 5000 had to be evacuated, mostly be fishing boats. The encroaching lava flow threatened to destroy the harbor, which was the islands main income source. In an extraordinary effort, the Icelanders sprayed six million tons of cold seawater onto the lava, causing some to solidify and divert the flow, which saved the harbor. However, half the town was crushed, and the islands area increased from 11.2 to 13.4 square kilometers due to the added lava.
Many houses were buried under the ash and when archaeologists began excavating the area in 2006, they found a remarkable time capsule – tables laid for breakfast, clothes folded by the fireplace, everything frozen in time from the moment of eruption. One cottage has been preserved as part of the Eldheimar museum.
Today, Heimaey is a vibrant island that draws visitors all through the year and especially in summer when millions of puffins nest there.
