As we sailed across the Norwegian sea, the Queen Elizabeth was heading for her Icelandic quest where she would be visiting Akureyi, Ísafjörður and Reykjavik.
A late docking meant that I had time to wrap up warm; ready to embrace a rather toasty Icelandic Summer (11 degrees was a luxury apparently!)
Akureyi is city found at the base of the Eyjafjörður Fjord in northern Iceland. With around 20,000 inhabitants – and almost five times more sheep – supporting the trade, culture and services within the north. (Add ten times more flies to that figure too! I’ll come to that later!)
For over an hour, I was sat aboard a coach staring out into boundless greenery. A range of mountainous hills covered the city with the occasional volcanic opening in its’ terrain.
Our first point of call was to a geothermal area. Smoke rose from the ground which could be seen from a distance. As we travelled closer, along the winding roads, the smell of sulphur became apparent as it seeped in through the windows. Rancid and putrid. (Imagine rotten eggs, but so poignant!) However the ghastly smell didn’t distract me from the beauty of the natural world. Fumaroles and mud baths covered the red, sandy ground. There was something strangely satisfying and relaxing watching the mud baths boil and gurgle in front of you. I’m not sure I’d cover my body in those temperatures though!
An extra guest accompanied our tour…more like 10,000 guests. Flies! The tour guide failed to mention how many flies there were in this part of Iceland. People even wore the hats that bee keepers wear! Behind your ears, up your nose and in your mouth, the pests didn’t care where they went. Initiative struck and I utilised my scarf as a turban to protect myself! So when you’re next planning your trip to Akureyi, you know what to pack!
Back on the coach and on the road again to the next stop – The Godafoss. Having been compared to a ‘mini Niagara Falls’, I was interested to see what awaited.
A spectacular sight of water gushed down through the rocks. Simply stunning. Another natural part of beauty. The Godafoss had strong links with the Christian faith, which was the most prominent faith across the whole of Iceland. A few moments for photo opportunities were allowed and then back aboard the coach! Another hour and a half journey back to the Queen Elizabeth – who’d spot home first?!
All in all, a lot of travelling consumed my day in Akureyi, yet the natural sights were worth it. Time for a rest after the travelling? Not quite, a quick change for work!
The View From the Window 