Vestmannaeyjar

A walk around Vestmannaeyjar

I wish I could say I took a helicopter tour ... but this is just a photo of a poster that was on a wall. It does show Vestmannaeyjar well.

On the way in we sailed past rocky islets...

... and cliffs that looked like modern art.

We were the first sailboat there so got to dock at the one floating visitor dock. Later boats had to raft. The occupants on the small black sailboat have to climb up and over the bigger navy sailboat and then the white, yellow, and blue fishing boats each time they want to go ashore.

I hiked the hill across from the marina...

... saw a gazillion puffins ...

... and a few puffin egg collectors.

Heading back into town I passed many piles of fishing nets.

The Volcano museum had a complete excavated house in it which had been totally buried in the 1973 eruption and the aquarium, as well as large tanks of live fish and a great rock collection, had several excellent taxidermi displays.

I climbed both the volcanic cones...

... and could see my old friend Ejyafjallajokull peeking out between the clouds far away on the mainland.

If you dug a wee hole on the volcano the rocks - 40 years after the eruption - we're too hot to touch. I was amazed.

What a delightful way to spend a free day!

PS We were supposed to leave tomorrow but the wind is blowing the wrong way so we'll have to stay another day and visit the local geothermally heated swimming pool spa that comes with water slides, hot and cold tubs, saunas and steam rooms, water fall massages, and an inverted rock wall that your climb up till you fall back in the water... what a shame!