Sunday's report

Right now it is 11:20 AM and I am sitting at the desk playing on the computer.

The day was supposed to be spent in Isafjordur Iceland. We are in the midst of what the Commodore labeled a strong low pressure system barreling towards us from the east. The ship is passing Isafjordur and spending the night in Reykjavik. The commodore said we will dock as soon as The Royal leaves the berth, in that way we can avoid having a rough night at sea. But I had to smile because that means that the Royal will have the rough night out at sea. Right now we are experiencing the roughest seas we have ever experienced. The ship is banging and crashing and the water is flying past our window. Yes I said water, not spray , it is the actual waves.  So far my stomach has been behaving itself but I have just taken a Gravol as insurance.

Now back to yesterday. We met our friends and retrieved the rental car and away we went. We planned to drive to the falls first and then make our way back from there. I wasn’t really expecting much at the falls. We have seen lots of waterfalls all over . But was mistaken; these falls were very special. I would have to call them the Niagara of Akureyri. There was lots of volume, lots of sound and lots of spray and lots of opportunity to take photos. But boy it was cold. The wind and the spray did not help at all. There was a sign directing us to the little café and gift shop with WC so we joined the mob from the Princess Busses and got into the long lines. I was planning to make a purchase but wondered about the line up. Well the busses pulled out so I was able to get to the register. I purchased a hot pin for Ken. It was made in the shape of the country and had the flag superimposed on the front. Most times we pay 3 or 4 dollars for these and this one was the equivalent of $5.60 which was a very good price considering where we were.  A  small calendar with Icelandic scenes was selling for $35.00. Needless to say I did not buy one. But we did want a hot drink of coffee. Ken had to pay $8.00 for 2 small, half full cups of black coffee.

Next we drove to a lake that had steam plumes rising from it. I don’t know the name. Anyway Theo stopped the car and we all piled out to take pictures. I stepped on loose gravel and my foot slipped out from under me and down I went. I twisted my knee, sprained my ankle and did who knows what to my big toe joint, all on my right foot. It happened so fast one second I was up and the next second I was down in a heap. I sat for a minute to catch my breath and them Ken and Theo helped me up. I got to the car and for the rest of the afternoon I flexed it as much as I could and I put weight on it and walked around the car while the others took pictures. Basically I messed up my right leg from the knee down.

Well I have been taking Advil and icing it and I am happy to report that it looks better today and it feels better also. I was secretly glad that we missed the port today because I could not have gone anyway. I spent the day with my foot up and had all my meals in the room. Because the ship has been dancing all day I decided I didn’t want to take a chance on falling again. The good news is the fact that I didn’t break anything.

We have a 3 hour Princess excursion planned for tomorrow and then there are three sea days so I should be back to normal by the time we get to NFLD. Tomorrow’s excursion is to the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik and I really want to go so I am hoping that I can.

This entire day has been spent lying low. The sea has been very rough with waves rolling up past out window all day long. When the Commodore came on at noon he said we should be docked around seven this evening IF the Royal Princess leaves her berth. It will be interesting to find out what plan B is if the captain of the Royal decides not  to face the open Atlantic tonight.

Here is the announcement now!! He is still using the word IF.

He said that we would anchor in sheltered waters if the Royal is not able to leave her birth, so I guess that is plan B

Now to describe Iceland. We did not spend any time in town but from what I have seen it is like all other mid sized cities.

But the open countryside is very barren. They have very few trees and there are acres and acres of volcanic rocks and lava floes.

The population is very spread out with very small sheep farms across the land. We saw some dairy cattle and some sheep and some Icelandic ponies. There are many high hills or low mountains. Some still had traces of snow on them. There are many streams and small rivers, and lots of tundra like land. We saw no wild life and as I said very few trees. As a result most buildings are made of stone. WQe saw a farm where all of the fences were made from piled pieces of lava.

I did not see a school or an actual village so the children must go into the city for their education or they are home schooled. I never did see a school bus sign so I am assuming that meant no school busses. The roads that we travelled were for the most part in very good condition, recently paved.

I will try to download pictures for you.