July 12 - Heimaey Island: Got up early and out of here by 7:30 for about a two-hour drive to the ferry terminal at Landeyjahöfn which is on the way to Vik. Only takes 35 minutes to get to the Heimaey Island, part of the Westman Island. Lots of layers today, but were warm and dry. Day had many times it misted, but never really rained. However, the drive to the terminal was through dense fog and some pretty good rain showers.
On the island, we first walked a bit through town and then up into the volcanic hills toward the crater where there was a major eruption in 1973 that covered much of the town. Story goes that they decided to save the fishing port, since that is the main source of business of the island. They pumped saltwater onto the lava flows to cool enough of it near the port that a wall of hardened lava formed. Over 400 homes were lost and many people evacuated.
So, from when we landed about 10:20 until about 1:00, we wandered in the lava field trails taking images. Lovely moss on the lava. Lots of flowers, mostly lupines, everywhere. Good views overlooking the town. Wonderful angles to shoot because of the varied landscape. And having a gray day was actually fun to shoot in since we got fog and mist and gentle light.
Tried to find the volcanic crater itself, but as we got nearer, two women who had just been up there said you could not see into it due to the fog and mist. So we turned back downhill and went to the area where there is a stave church, which was a gift from Norway, and reminds me of ones I’ve seen there. Also there is a medical museum on the site of an early hospital. Nearby is a huge water tank that was crushed by the lava flow. Also, while we were on this jetty area, we took nice wide-angle images of the mountains on the other side of the navigation channel.
Walked back into town and ate at Gott. Lovely ground brisket hamburger, macchiato, and shared a date cake with vanilla ice cream. Then uphill to the Folk Museum where we saw lots of images of the 1973 eruption and learned there were a whole bunch of Mormons from Iceland that came to Utah!
We had been scheduled for a 9:00 PM ferry back, but saw no need to stay and took a 4:00 one instead. Without a car, it was silly to try to explore more than we had on foot. Stopped along the way back for espresso and a chocolate/granola goodie.
About 8:00, drove into town to Loki for lamb soup and the best rye bread you have ever tasted. Then walked down to Valdis for more gelato. Had strawberry skyr gelato. Quite nice. Then back to our lodgings for computers, showers, bed.
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