PDF - Land og saga

HÚSAVÍK ORIGINALwhaleWatChIng- visitors' top pick since 1995The Biggest Bones You’ll Ever See!Whale bones hang from the Roof at Húsavík Whale MuseumIf you’d like to see whale bones and learnhow whales impacted Icelandic culturethroughout the ages, visit the popularHúsavík Whale Museum in the north ofIceland. “People visit the museum becauseit is the best way to learn about whales andtheir environment without actually divinginto the ocean,” says curator HermannBárðarson, a biologist with a keen interestin whales. “Last year, 21,000 people of allages visited the museum.”Whale SkeletonsThe crown jewel of the museum, so tospeak, is the 13 metre-long skeleton of asperm whale. There are 8 more skeletons ondisplay. “Only when one is close to one ofthese skeletons does one realise how largewhales actually are and how strikinglysimilar their anatomy is to humananatomy,” says Bárðarson. “Most peoplenever have the opportunity to come inclose contact with a whale—simply becausetheir ocean habitat is so different from ours.This is a real pity. It is our mission at themuseum to interpret everything aboutwhales to the general public. We are hereto spark curiosity, disseminate knowledgeand foster respect for these animals.”Museum for all Ages“Our museum is perhaps the most familyfriendlymuseum in the country,” saysBárðarson. “Its content comes from thedepths of the sea which is normally hiddenfrom humans. It comes from a place that isgenerally thought of as dangerous, lifeless,cold and dark—but nothing could befurther from the truth, of course. Childrenare especially receptive to the mysteriousnature of this hidden world. We like tobelieve that we’re successful in delivering apositive experience for children by bringingthis hidden world a little closer. Themuseum receives school groups from allparts of Iceland throughout the winter. Thevisits are an integral part of the children’seducation about the environment.”Fostering a Community SpiritThe Whale museum has become anintegral part of the local community. It isan attraction in its own right but it alsosupports the budding whale-watchingindustry in the Skjálfandaflói Bay. “Last year50,000 people visited Húsavík exclusivelyto go whale watching and visit the WhaleMuseum. The Whale Museum supportsthe overall visitor experience and fosters thecommunity spirit—everyone in Húsavík isproud of the museum. It also provides animportant employment opportunity forprofessionals, academics, unskilled peopleand volunteers in a disused slaughterhouse,”says Bárðarson. “Come and see the whaleskeletons and learn how whales haveimpacted Icelandic culture.”–shvHvalsafniðpicK Your tour...Spend 3 hours whale watchingon board a traditionalicelandic oak boatSpend 4 hours whale andpuffin watching on atraditional sailing boatOR CHooSE:whales, puffinsand sailson Iceland's only schoonersHafnarstétt 1 • 640 Húsavík+354 414 2800...with north Sailinginfo@whalemuseum.iswww.whalemuseum.is102 www.icelandictimes.comfor More info ViSit WWW.northsailing.is or call +354 464 7272