8/24/2023
Seydisfjordur is a quaint little village at the end of a fjord. They built a dock big enough to handle cruise ships and boost the local economy – good investment. Everything is within walking distance, and all the stuff on sale is locally made, or Icelandic made. The residents are quite friendly and helpful. As we sailed into the fjord, we were totally socked in with thick fog. The ships tech kept us on track until the pier appeared, docking safely at 7 AM.
Outside the village a bit was a waterfall next to a crater. We all decided to walk up and see the waterfall closer.
Paul and Shirley at the waterfall
The crater has quite a story. In December of 2020, after 5 days or torrential rain, the earth gave way and an avalanche of mud slid down the mountain into the town. Unbelievably no lives were lost, but many were disrupted. We could see evidence of other landslides that had occurred in the past, maybe distant past. A photojournalist made assay that was displayed on several large signs near the dock. They detailed the story of individuals who lived through the disaster and had an accompanying photo of the person. It hit home that when bad things happen to a population, they are not statistics; they are people with their own stories.
The crater
We walked around the town – again, not a great feat of endurance. Several shops sold really unique items. A tote with a logo of a hand with hands within the splayed fingers and the caption in Icelandic – Save our Fjords! It seems that fish farms are not good for the fjord and the locals are all for preserving their environment.
The guided walking tour was missed because we (Bob and Paul) assumed a time that was not true. I don’t think we missed much as the town was not that big and we saw much of the story of the December 2020 landslide on the photo journalist’s display. We also saw the rainbow street, the iconic blue church and the geographical monument that noted the surrounding mountians, their names and elevations. We were located at 65 degrees 28 minutes North and 14 degrees 00 minutes West. (Note: the Arctic Circle starts at 66 Degrees North and we have a ways to go.)
Bob and Ann at the location marker
We made it back on the ship for a 3 PM departure. The fog banks straddled the fjord on the way out. Jellyfish, minke whales and dolphins were in evidence. Lots of Jellyfish.
On the way out of the fjord
Then we were back to the shipboard routine – port talks, lectures, dinner, gelato, and trivia night (Name that tune - interrupted by the sighting of an Orca). Fianally Speedy and Judith (old friends from the Crossing Cruise) were performing in the Torshavn Lounge. We did the Hustle, We had fun.
And back to the cabin … zzzzzzzzz
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