Circumnavigation of Icelan - July 31 to Aug 07, 2019
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DAY 4: Husavìk & Grimsey<br />
3 rd <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2019</strong> – By Isabelle Howells, Expedition Guide<br />
Page 12<br />
From the Voyage Log<br />
In the afternoon, Isabelle held a lecture in the<br />
theatre, and had a lot <strong>to</strong> talk about <strong>to</strong> cover the<br />
exciting wildlife experiences <strong>of</strong> the last days. Puffins<br />
were discussed, and we learnt about Skjalfandi bay,<br />
situated just south <strong>of</strong> Grimsey on the coast <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Icelan</strong>d. This bay is renowned for being one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
best feeding areas for whales in this part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world, and known as being a rare place where itis<br />
© Yuri Choufour<br />
© Yuri Choufour<br />
As we anchored <strong>of</strong>f Grimsey on Saturday morning,<br />
we could admire this wedge-shaped island before<br />
the fog descended and blanketed the land. With the<br />
arctic circle cutting through the northern most<br />
point, this curious land mass is the only part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Icelan</strong>d <strong>to</strong> be considered in the Arctic. Many <strong>of</strong> us<br />
trekked the length <strong>of</strong> the island <strong>to</strong> what was for<br />
some <strong>of</strong> us, the furthest north we’ve ever travelled.<br />
Grimsey, which is inhabited year-round by families<br />
involved mostly in the fishing industry, also benefits<br />
from the visi<strong>to</strong>rs it received by ferry and cruise<br />
ships. With no preda<strong>to</strong>rs such as Arctic foxes on the<br />
island, Grimsey is a true paradise for birds. We were<br />
lucky enough <strong>to</strong> see scores <strong>of</strong> nesting puffins and<br />
swooping arcticturns looking out for their young.<br />
© Yuri Choufour<br />
© Gaby Pilson<br />
© James Floyd<br />
© Yuri Choufour<br />
possible <strong>to</strong> see blue whales so close <strong>to</strong> shore, at<br />
certain times <strong>of</strong> the year. Just as we were learning<br />
about whale identification, an announcement came<br />
that there were dolphins and a humpback whale <strong>to</strong><br />
be seen outside!<br />
After a couple <strong>of</strong> hours <strong>of</strong> admiring humpbacks<br />
around the ship, we headed a little further south <strong>to</strong><br />
observe the fantastic coastline between Skjalfandi<br />
bay and Eyjafjörður. That evening’s briefing was<br />
accompanied by Mikaela’s recap about the Arctic<br />
Circle. The busy day was <strong>to</strong>pped <strong>of</strong>f with a quiz<br />
hosted by Fredrik, our expert on all things <strong>Icelan</strong>d<br />
related.<br />
© Yeti<br />
After lunch back onboard Ocean Atlantic, it was time<br />
for the Polar Plunge! We stayed anchored in order<br />
<strong>to</strong> be as close <strong>to</strong> the Arctic Circle as possible and<br />
many brave guests donned their swimsuits and leapt<br />
<strong>of</strong>f the gangway and in<strong>to</strong> the bitterly cold water.<br />
People warmed up quickly once out with a dry <strong>to</strong>wel<br />
and a vodka shot!<br />
© Yuri Choufour<br />
<strong>31</strong> <strong>July</strong> – <strong>07</strong> <strong>Aug</strong>ust , <strong>2019</strong><br />
Volume 1, Issue 10
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