8/23/2023

sailing into the harbor (Pyramid Mountain)

Djupivogur, Iceland came into view around 6 AM. A village with a population of about 400 plus maybe some Huldafolk (trolls, faeries and elves).  There is a pyramid shaped mountain that overlooks the village (proof of ancient aliens because they just built this one before discovering the Icelandic winter and moved to Egypt).  Here is the only Icelandic town which has embraced the slow living movement.  There are no brand names on signs, no fast food outlets, and the local people do not seem in a hurry at all.

 

After breakfast (6^th day of salmon for breakfast) we readied our layers and made our way to the tender.  We met our guide, Gauti Johannesson for the low-key tour at 9:30. He was the mayor of the town from 2001 through 2010 and headmaster of the school (grades K-10) and a fisherman and full of very informative and interesting bits about this small and remote village.

                                                            Gauti and Shirley

One of the more interesting was about his father who as a 7 year old was given the task of weaning the baby lambs – which meant a week in the country just him and the baby lambs.  His mother would bring clothing and food once a day. One night as he slept, he was awoken by the sound of singing – coming from the ground!  He investigated and saw that many of the hidden people were leaving a ceremony.  A lady in blue turned as she left and made eye contact with the boy. She bade him to not betray them and said she’d be with him and his family to help and receive help.  Our guide, the mayor/headmaster then grew up in a family of 9 plus the lady in blue.  

                                                    Huldafolk subdivision

Of course, the ex-mayor said that no self-respecting Icelander would admit to believing in the Huldafolk, but nevertheless there are many roads with deviations which accommodate the hidden folk .

 

Two highlights of the tour were the rock museum and the concert performed in an old fish oil tank where the ex-mayor’s wife sang a few beautiful Icelandic folksongs in a darked venue with amazing echo.  I thought about a video but decided it would not be appropriate.  We enjoyed the moment.  The ex-mayor’s wife also taught music at the school.

                                                        the concert venue

The other highlight was the life’s work of Mr. Steinasafn.  This old fella has spent his life hunting rocks up in the mountains around Djupivogur collecting interesting rocks.  He cuts then and polishes them and then displays them.  He gave the group a running dialogue of some of the rocks he (and sometimes his brother) found.

                                                        at the rock place

Our tour concluded by walking past the iconic Egg Sculpture display. It seems that there were some no longer used concrete plinths along the harbor.  A local artist then crafted 34 granite eggs representing the eggs of the birds that typically call the shores of East Iceland home.

                                                    The Iconic eggs of East Iceland

 

We caught the tender back to the ship and ate a tasty lunch.  Then back to the room for rest before the afternoon activity – it’s a spa afternoon  for Paul and a relaxing afternoon for Shirley.

 

The lecture was given by Dr. Chip on the culture and literature of Iceland – Shirley was in heaven.  His point was that the current trend of Icelandic Noir is just a continuation of the sagas and Eddas that have always been here.  Convincing argument with lots of evidence.

 

Dinner at the restaurant followed by the show featuring Carl Ignatio.  Here’s the thing – Carl (we knew him as Carlito) was the assistant cruise director on the Crossing cruise we did last November.  He remembered Shirley from line dance class – as did Judith (a backup singer).  Made us feel really good as they must have seen thousands of passengers since then.  Anyway Carl put on a good show.

 

 

A stroll through the ship and back to the cabin for a good nights sleep.