CURRENTS

This morning we arrived in Iceland at Akureyri, one of the northernmost towns in the country. It’s so far north that last night, as we sailed along the top of Iceland, we never actually saw the sun set. It has been daylight continuously from yesterday right through to today, and tonight when we set sail, we should get some fantastic views of the fjord as we head towards our next Icelandic port.

For today, we had arranged our own excursion with Imagine Iceland, a six-hour guided tour covering some of the main attractions around Akureyri. Our first stop was Goðafoss, the famous “Waterfall of the Gods.” It was an impressive sight and a great way to start the day. Our driver and guide, Graham, was excellent. Originally from Britain, he has been living in Iceland for the past five years and certainly knew his stuff.

There were only 18 of us on the tour, a refreshing change from the larger ship excursions. Even better, it was around half the price of the cruise line’s equivalent tour. We were lucky enough to visit all the same places as most of the ship’s guests, but with a much smaller group, a more relaxed atmosphere, and what felt like longer stops at each location. That’s always a win in our book.

After the waterfall, we travelled through some spectacular scenery before stopping at a rest stop that just happened to have a fish and chip shop. Naturally, we felt it would be rude not to sample the local fish and chips. They were very good indeed, although the price reminded us that Iceland has a unique talent for making your wallet lose weight faster than you do.

One thing I should mention is that at this time of year there are literally millions of midges around, and they were a constant companion throughout the day. Thankfully they don’t sting, bite, or do any real harm, but that doesn’t stop them from being incredibly annoying.

No matter where we stopped, they seemed to be waiting for us. If there was a patch of fresh air to enjoy or a photograph to take, a cloud of midges would somehow appear as if they had received advance notice of our arrival. By the end of the tour, we had become quite skilled at walking, talking, and waving our arms around like amateur windmills all at the same time.

One of the highlights of the day was visiting the area where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Here, the earth literally splits apart, allowing you to stand with one foot in North America and the other in Europe. Not many people can say they’ve crossed continents without taking a single step. There was also an underground cave containing a stunning pool of crystal-clear blue water. Most of us carefully climbed down to capture the obligatory selfie.

We also visited several lava fields, which were fascinating to see. They looked like something from another planet, although the strong smell of sulphur was a constant reminder that the earth beneath our feet is still very much alive. The smell wasn’t exactly pleasant, but it was worth it for the photographs. I managed to get some fantastic shots that I think will make great artwork when we get home.

Another stop took us on a walking trail through ancient lava formations that had long since cooled and hardened. Wandering amongst these rugged landscapes felt a bit like exploring a giant natural sculpture park.

The tour itself was excellent, apart from a few seriously annoying and rather selfish guests who seemed convinced the entire world revolved around them. Fortunately, they were only a minor irritation and certainly didn’t spoil what was otherwise a fantastic day.

To finish things off, Graham kindly dropped us in Akureyri’s old town, just a few minutes’ walk from the ship, giving us some time to stroll around this charming little town before heading back onboard.

We returned to the ship around 5pm, which was unfortunately a little too late for a cheeky drink in Waves. Instead, we retired to the cabin for an in-room rum and coke before planning a quieter evening in The Terrace.

More to come…