Reykjavik

August 28, 2016

Reykjavik, Iceland

Beautiful sunshine today, 50 degrees with the promise to get up to 52.  Yea!

Early breakfast before the 12 of us met at the gangway (notice I now refer to this a gangway not gangplank as previously since someone explained to me that if you exit the ship via gangplank you won’t be returning).  Jon was waiting at the gate to the pier with his new 12-passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and we all piled in to begin our day in and around the capitol of Iceland.  As I mentioned earlier Iceland has 330,000 inhabitants and 200,000 of them live in Reykjavik.  Leaving town we drove past the building where Bobby Fisher won the world championship of chess from the Russian many years ago.  Fisher became a citizen of Iceland and is buried here.

We drove by the Hellisheldarvirkjun Geothermal Power Plant (name probably does not just fall off the tongue) where steam from deep within the earth rises from the ground.  This is used for electricity production and heating of homes.  We arrived at the Thingvellir National Park where we took a walk between two continents.  Thingvellir is one of the only places on earth where the effects of major tectonic plates moving apart can be seen.  This is the original site of Iceland’s Parliament which ran from 930 to 1262.  This is considered the oldest elected parliament in the world.   Really interesting and beautiful place.

Then a drive through the countryside before a stop at Gullfoss - The Golden Waterfall, very powerful and majestic water movement that can be viewed from two levels, very close and personal and very damp from the mist.  Didn’t take us much time to photograph this.

We drove a bit then Jon found a great picnic place as we had all brought sandwiches from the ship.  In a forest of birch and fir trees he found a place with picnic tables under a full canopy of trees where we enjoyed a nice rest and lunch.  Jon found a monument close-by that we all thought looked like a totem pole like seen in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska except this one was natural, not painted.

From here we had a short drive to the Stori-Geysir or Great Geyser to see the eruptions and the hot springs activity.  The blast of hot water happens about every seven minutes and the column rises up to 30 meters.

Kerid, the Crater is an inactive volcano crater formed by an explosion.  It has a lake in the crater that is 55 meters deep with emerald green water.  Formed about 6,500 years ago and lies at the northern end of a row of craters known as Tjarnarholar (in case someone asks you) it is oval in shape, 270 meters long, 170 meters wide.

About 40 minutes later we returned to Reykjavik.  Our first stop was the church built in the 20th century.  This is Lutheran country and the Hallgrimskirkja Church is state-supported, similar to how the Church of England operates.  We had an exterior photo op but as it was Sunday and services were going on at 3 PM we were not allowed to see the inside.  Folks were lined up to walk up the tower but that did not seem to interest anyone in our group.  From here Jon drove us through the downtown area, the old town, the old harbor area and along the coast.  Our last stop was the sculpture of an “Sun Voyager” ancient sailing vessel displayed on the shore.

We settled up with Jon here then he drove us to the port where our ship was docked.  Our trip today restored our faith in stories of Iceland’s beauty.  It was magnificent. We were really tired by now but after a quick stop at the room we made it to the Ocean Bar before having our light supper in the Lido.  Another day of early to bed, 7 PM.  Hope we get healthy, wealthy & wise!

August 29, 2016

At Sea

Leisurely morning, Bob got coffee for us to enjoy in the cabin and we caught up on some emails (internet is back on after several days outside satellite range).  Breakfast with a couple from California living in the area of all the high tech companies’ headquarters (Apple), originally from New York, bemoaning the high property prices.  He, former Mobil Oil engineer, and Bob had something in common re. work.  We tried to attend a lecture on Greenland at 10 AM but by the time we got there at 9:45 not a seat was left.  So we looked at a future cruise to Asia for October 2017, that’s a maybe.  Lunch early so we could lie down for a few minutes before the 2 PM lecture.  We arrived at 1:00 and were able to get a good seat.  Very interesting with slides of Greenland and the route our ship will take tomorrow.  Looks like good weather tomorrow so we should see lots of glaciers and scenery.  Formal tonight so we duded up and had drinks in the Ocean Bar before heading to the Pinnacle Grill for a really good dinner of filet mignon, baked potato, mushrooms, spinach and chocolate volcano for dessert.  Too much but really good.  Skipped the entertainment as it was the ship’s singers and dancers.  So read awhile and another one hour time change tonight so early to bed on the new time.

August 27, 2016

Isafjordur, Iceland

After a really good night’s sleep we were up early to prepare for our arrival today in Isafjordur, 2,500 hardy souls that reside in this village. 48 degrees for a high today.   Our ship was able to anchor in the fjord and we used the lifeboats to tender the passengers to the small dock in the village.  A brisk, cold, windy (20 mph) walk to the Information Center had us about to cancel our tour today but fortunately we warmed up after being inside a few minutes.  Sylvia met us, our group today was six people including us and it was billed as a “walking tour” and sure enough we struck out in the cold and wind.  Sylvia had us to imagine that we were seeing Isafjordur in 1893 and she was a resident of the town.  Interesting concept especially as most of the buildings were already there, most have changed purposes since then and a few new ones have appeared but we were encouraged to ignore them.  

Because of the snow and ice melt coming down from the mountain the town has built a huge dam to channel the water away from the town into the sea.  This is a walking path above the town that provides a view of all the town and the water.  We had some nice photo stops here to see our ship at anchor.

The town’s reason for existence is the fishing industry from the earliest time.  Fish was dried in the open air, salted for curing and packed for shipment all over the world.  The smell of the fish drying mixed with the cow and sheep manure in the streets along with the smell of wet sheep must have been terrible.  Sylvia graphically described how it must have been.

We had a stop for a sandwich and hot chocolate at the old bakery in town before making our way back to the dock for our tender trip back to the ship.

August 24, 2016

At sea!

After breakfast we attended part of a lecture, “Iceland, Land & People”, our first stop will be in 2 days then Holland America had a Mariner’s Reception to honor folks with 100, 300, 500 and greater days aboard any Holland America ship.  As we only have a bit over 200 days we only received the complementary champagne.  After this we were led to the main dining room for the Mariner’s Brunch.  Tried for a nap after the brunch but had two emergency announcements in our cabin for “Bright Star”, code for the ship’s doctor that there was a pediatric emergency in cabin 1007.  Holland America should either buy the doctor a pager or cell phone or deny children passage.  The Ocean Bar caught us a 4:55 PM for the two-for-one drinks just as they were making “last call”.  This is formal night so the ship’s photographers were setting up all over the ship to capture folks in all their finery before and after dinner.  We ducked back to the cabin and then slunk up to Lido for a light supper without our formal duds before making our way to the theater for “The Unexpected Boys” with a musical tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.  We liked it as we recognized all the music.  This was a fun evening even without being trussed up in a tux.  Tonight was second straight night we’ve saved an hour by turning our clocks back one hour.

August 25, 2016

At sea!

Up early as our bodies have not recognized the time change.  Bob away to the Lido for coffee at 5 AM.  After breakfast we attended  a lecture about the three places we will be seeing in Iceland, Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik.  Iceland is greener that Greenland while Greenland has more ice that Iceland.  Iceland has 330,000 people.  After lunch in the Lido we gathered around the pool for the Arctic Circle Polar Bear Plunge, lots of participants and lots of fun.  Highlight for Bob was ice cream.  Following a nap we found the Ocean Bar for “Happy Hour” and conversation with a Canadian that looked exactly like Santa Claus.  He has promised a photo tomorrow with him in his red suit.  Dinner in the Lido followed by Andy Bunger, German playing many instruments with the ship orchestra backing him and it was quite entertaining.  Return to the room for preparation for our adventure tomorrow at Akureyri.

August 26, 2016

Akureyri, Iceland

Temperature 49 when we disembarked the ship, didn’t get any warmer all day, cloudy and intermittent rain all day but mostly when we were in the 8 passenger Mercedes Benz Sprinter van.  Audun was our driver/guide to all the sights.  Our first stop was Godafoss, a large falls created from glacier melt higher up.  

It makes a lot of noise and moves a tremendous amount of water.  A rest stop at a cafe where Iris discovered some trolls.

Skutustadir-Lake Myvatn was created from bubbling steam vents of the volcanic action.  The ground is covered with lava from eruptions over the centuries.  The lake created from all this is beautiful.

The lava flows created some interesting structures.

Even though it was not Christmas Audun decided we needed to see where the Yule Lads hang out a Christmas time.  They are the 13 sons of trolls and have names that fit their habits i.e Door Slammer, Spoon Licker, Sausage Swiper and Skyr Gobbler.   For more information about these guys go to www.visitmyvatn.is.

Heather and wild flowers grow all along the paths surrounded by the lava rock and stones. 

Namafjall Hverir is an active bubbling cauldron of sulphur pots bubbling with steam and smelling bad.  Pipes run from these high temperature pools to houses to provide heat (cheap).

Dettifoss is another falls that has the greatest volume of water of anywhere in Europe.  It was a pretty good walk from the parking area to a point where we could view the falls.  There are two falls in this park, we chose Dettifoss and made the trek.

On our return to the van we glimpsed the other falls in the distance so we got to see both without having to hike to the other one, Selfoss.

The last official stop was a little visited falls, Hafragilsfoss, very impressive.

Myvatn Lake drew our attention on our way back to the ship so we had a photo op at the parking area.  Notice the steam coming from the earth that powered the first electricity plant in this area.

A quick photos from the van of the troll marshmallows, some are white, pink, green and black.  We were told these are for the trolls to eat; white - vanilla, pink - strawberry, green - mint, black - licorice.  Some say the white is troll toilet paper.

Our departure time for the ship was getting closer by now and Iris was beginning to panic but Audun turned off the main highway onto a gravel road and drove us up to a great photo point overlooking the fjord.  This was Audun’s house.  

After a quick photo it was back to the ship where we entered exactly one minute before the “all aboard”.  The lads were preparing to take up the gangway.

Once on board we removed all the clothing layers and made our way to the Ocean Bar for a much deserved drink before our dinner in the Lido.  There was no show tonight so after our dinner we attempted to read in bed.  Big mistake as we were both asleep at 7:30.

August 21, 2016

Boarded the Zuiderdam after an expensive taxi ride from the hotel to the cruise terminal.  The check-in (four star status does make a difference) went smoothly and shortly we boarded, found our stateroom and went to the main dining room for the Mariner luncheon.  Discovered Usman was our server, he had been our dinner server for 115 days on our 2013 Around the World Cruise.  It was really great to see him again.  At 2 PM we attended the Mariner’s reception in the Crow’s Nest where we met some folks from Dallas and Australia and knocked back a couple of glasses of champagne.  This prompted a nap after which we had a light supper and skipped the entertainment as there was only one show at 9:30 PM, too late for us.

August 22, 2016

At sea from Copenhagen enroute to Bergen, Norway, breakfast in the Lido then a tour of the shops on board and the sale goods on the pool deck (Iris bought a much needed rain jacket/wind breaker). At 11 AM a lecture on Norway, then lunch, a Cruise Critic Meet & Greet at 2 PM to meet some of our fellow travelers including one couple from Comfort, TX.  3 PM the things to do in Bergen talk, a short nap helped followed by a wine tasting with snack before our dinner in the Lido.  The entertainment was the Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers, very high energy production with some good and some not so good singers, too much flashing lights and overall too young a presentation for such an old crowd.  Don’t think they ever heard of Sinatra or Bennett.  Back to the room and to bed.  A busy day.

August 23, 2016

Bergen, Norway - arrival at 8 AM, after our breakfast we departed the ship to board the shuttle to get from the container pier to a safe place for us to begin our walk into the center.  Holland America seems to always tie up in the container section regardless of the port as it is obviously cheaper to dock there instead of in the center of the quai.  Walk of about a KM to the center, clean town, 3 cruise ships in port today.  First stop was to the Mount Floyen Funicular that took us from the center of Bergen up to the spectacular views 320 meters above the city.  Easy on as Iris had bought our tickets on-line from home.  After about 45 minutes at the top we descended to find the line with hundreds of folks lined up waiting their turn to go up.  What a zoo!  

Back in the center we made our way to the local Starbucks for a coffee followed by a visit to the Hanseatic Museum Exhibits, a UNESCO Heritage Site showing life in the fishing industry of Norway from the 14th through the 18th century.  Fishing is still the second biggest export in Norway after oil.  From the museum we walked down the quai to see the painted wooden houses, Bryggen, on the waterfront (now shops, hotels and restaurants).  A further walk brought us to Mariakirken, St Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen (built 1130 - 1170). It has been a place of worship continuously.  The church is a basilica with two main towers and two aisles.  The choir contains the alter and the screen, a triptych carved in Northern Germany in the 15th century.  It is a site alone making a visit to Bergen worthwhile.  The pulpit, creator unknown, was presented to the church in 1676 by wealthy merchants and is painted with tortoiseshell and lacquer work unlike anything in Norway.  The organ is modern, 2014/2105, so not notable.

It was now time for a sit-down so we made our way to the fish market at the end of the quai where Iris had an open-faced shrimp sandwich and Bob had grilled cod with potato salad.  Then a walk back to the shuttle bus location; we were walked out.  Back on board we had a short nap and prepared for the 4:30 PM “Happy Hour” meaning half-priced drinks.  From that we went up to the Lido for some light supper and then the comedian in the main theater for the entertainment.  To bed.

Roussillon to Copenhagen

August 18, 2016
Brigitte arrived at our house at 9:30 AM to drive us to the airport in Marseille.  Lots of luggage!  Checked in for our flight on Brussels Air then had some lunch before boarding our flight to Brussels.  Short layover in Brussels and then a flight to Copenhagen, ran late due to some problem with air traffic control but still arrived only half-hour late.  The Hilton Hotel was a 2 minute walk from the terminal building.  Checked in and made our way to the bar for some refreshments and a dinner of fish and chips.  To bed.

August 19, 2016
Up early, breakfast at the hotel and then walked back to the airport terminal and the train ticket office to buy our transport into the main train station in Copenhagen, about 20 minutes.  The station in Copenhagen is right across the street from the Tivoli Gardens (think Six Flags in the middle of downtown).  Another block from that and we were at the City Hall where the square in front was taken over by the Gay Pride Week celebration.

 
Our tour bus was just around the corner from the City Hall.  We boarded our bus for the Castles Tour and after about an hour drive we arrived at the Kronberg Castle, built on a point closest to Sweden, only about 3 miles across the water.  The wealth of King Frederick II who converted this castle (1574-85) derived from charging tolls for cargo ships entering the waters between Denmark and Sweden.  The castle was immortalized in William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet".  The royal apartments and ballroom were the highlights of the tour.  Lots of stairs, you'd think a king could put in elevators.  Kronberg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arriving back to our bus we found our lunch waiting, chicken sandwichs that we ate while traveling to our next stop, Fredensborg Palace, the summer residence of the Queen of Denmark.  We arrived in time for the changing of the guard at 2 PM so we got some photos but no visit to the palace as the Queen was in residence.

Another ride on the bus through countryside.  Agriculture still plays an important role in the economy of Denmark, producing 3 times the needs of the country thus providing a huge source of foreign earnings for the country.  We drove past many houses on the beach, many with thatch roofs and many with private beaches.  Our driver said this area was the Beverly Hills of Denmark.

Our final stop was Frederiksborg Castle, a pearl of history built by King Christian IV in the 17th century.  This is now a museum that was rebuilt after a fire by Carlsberg (Beer) Foundation and now houses furnishings from the period when it was a royal residence.
The chapel was closed due to a wedding ceremony but otherwise we had the run of the place along with thousands of others.Crowded but well worth a visit.

We were pretty well exhausted by this time and ready for the drive back into Copenhagen.  Walking through the crowds from City Hall back to the train station was an interesting journey among all the costumes and participants of Pride Week.

We got our ticket for the train back to the airport only to discover that there was an hour delay.  Finally we boarded with all the others that had been waiting and we were fortunate to grab a seat as the aisles were packed with standing passengers.  Arriving back at the hotel we opened a nice bottle of French wine and had some snacks and promptly went to bed.  Big Day but a Good Day!