July 30 - 7:30 - 19:00 – Arnarstapi
The breakfast onboard is always a buffet. Some of the best fresh fruit I have had in years.
Everything was vine ripened and sweet. (Cathy, you know those small, tasty strawberries are) Many hot & cold items to choose from and lots of bread
choices. I found out that I love the Skyr (Icelandic yogurt that is half the
fat of Greek and twice the protein of Greek yogurt.) I really liked the
flavor and texture. Also, fresh baked pastries included plain croissants,
chocolate croissants and the 3rd one rotated peach or pear or something
else. They were small so you didn't have to eat one of those large ones, and of course you could take 2 when you wanted. They were kept warm and were delicious. Much to choose from and all was
very good. They also had a special of the morning that they would cook fresh for those that wanted.
After breakfast we had a mandatory Zodiac safety briefing. The weather was good, so we had a Zodiac tour (included in cost of cruise) around Arnarstapi on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Often called “Iceland in Miniature” because of its diverse landscapes, the area is home to bird rich Breidafjordur Bay and Snaefellsjokull glacier. This glacier sits atop of a 700,000-year-old dormant volcano that was featured in the Jules Verne novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.
We saw some jellyfish, birds, and beautiful scenery.
Lunch today was from 11:00 to 12:30 and lunch was always a buffet. Many hot and cold dishes. Wonderful salad ingredients and always 2 soups to choose from. Again, all the food we tried was awesome. Usually, two choices for dessert and ice cream was always available.
After lunch from 12:30 to 6:00 was our tour called Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Due to bad weather, we were only the 3rd cruise to make this stop. There is no dock there so they
“beached” the Zodiac and we got out onto dry land. We walked to where the bus was to take us to the Þríhnúkagígur volcano is dormant – it last erupted over 4,000 years ago. There are no indications of it erupting again in the near future. The volcano’s name, mostly unpronounceable for anyone other than locals, would be directly translated as ‘Three Peaks Crater’.
Once we arrived at the Vatnshellir Cave we were given flashlights and helmets for the guided trip down into the lava cave. We descended a steep staircase (approx.. 115 feet). It was about a 2 mile walk and about 400 feet down in total.
The drive to and from the cave was interesting as well. Interesting to see the moss-covered lava.
We went back to explore Snæfellsjökull National Park on our own. There was a nice museum there and our guide showed us around and told stories for those of us who stayed for that. Afterwards we could wander on our own.
Back
on the ship there was a Tea Time followed by a Cocktail Hour both with piano
music. They usually had 3 different sandwiches and 3 desserts. (full sized not miniature)
Dinner
was from 7:00 to 8:30 and was table service with 3 courses. Four choices each
night of each course. The food again was served hot and fresh.
At
8:45 to 9:30 we watched a movie (with popcorn) called Birth of an Island. (the
formation of all islands and specifically Iceland)
They
always had a late-night snack between 10:00 and 11:00, but we never checked it
out. At one end of the bar there were always freshly baked cookies and a bowl
of fruit to snack on anytime you wanted.
It was
time to get ready for Isafjordur tomorrow and get some sleep.
Arnarstapi,
Iceland https://photos.app.goo.gl/SwsT66c5tF1W7xRT9
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