Bimmer09

Bus window shots are dedicated to Jasperdo who likes the see the non-touristy stuff, as do I

We are at the friend's farm The driver goes to see the horses They pounce on him with their giant fangs and razor sharp claws- nope sorry! Sorry- I was thinking of tigers just then. Don't know what came over me. These were passive friendly animals.. One of them needed a back scratch and rolled on the ground They drew a group from the bus which would include Carol who got to pet them. So cute! They are in the video that will soon follow...

The car park The rest rooms back towards the ship but Bjornvin wants to stop at a friend's house to see some Islandic ponies We had 45 minutes at the Falls which is enough if you don't have to climb all the way up. SO far the only rain we have seen in Iceland was some drizzle as we drove towards that big lake. It was done when we got there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynjandi There's a red and a blue person on the ridge closest to the falls to give scale.. (click photo/zoom) Carol is 1/3 of the way up (dark jacket, pale blue jeans, cool shades) The falls and the rocks are static so there's no posing them the way you would a fashion model. To justify my not climbing all the way up I say the lower falls are where the interest lies More

DYNJANDI FALLS Once ashore I looked around for the BS Tours transit bus. We were early. I saw him and went to introduce myself. I was the first to do so and while it was quiet paid the driver who is the male half the husband and wife team that is BS. Others would soon do likewise . By the time we were due to leave we were missing two passengers. The driver, Bjorgvin, drove around the town looking for them and came back to the dock. They missed their chance whomever they were. I ran video during our scenic drive to the falls. It's a trim little town, like Akureyri, well cared for and the roads are in good shape- better than I am used to in Illinois for sure. We pass through a two-way, one lane tunnel 4 miles long (6K) but they have carved out some pull ins to allow approaching cars to pass. There were many people escape routes in case of a fire. We stopped by a lake for some photos and a leg stretch. We passed many waterfalls and green fields and fields with sheep and their lambs frolicking. After an hour we'd arrive at Dynjandi..

I loved that movie and that scene. Nice one! Welcome. Norris

We disembarked on deck 2 via Destination Gateway (pics of that later) A comfy ride ashore on padded seats

Isafjordur is a small town but it is within a one hour drive from a major waterfall called Dynjandi (means Thunder and it ain't kidding). X offered a 5 hour tour with Dynjandi and then a small village to sample some local delicacies-in Iceland whose cuisine is in every high street around the world. I am eating a fermented shark burger as I write. The X tour was on sale for only $453 per person. I found an independent operator called Arctic Express who just did the Falls in 3 hours and cost $70 p.p. I booked an 8.30 tour online and got a confirmation a month before we sailed. A couple of weeks later they emailed me asking if we would mind taking a 12 o'clock tour instead as Jewel had to leave port at 3 pm. Sure, no problem. Instead of their 8 person minivans they were laying on a 51 seater tour bus. On our roll call many opted to accommodate them. A week before the cruise an email canceling as they had "lost the bus". A refund a few days later. Meantime I had found another local operator (and there are not a lot to choose from in a small town) called BS tours. 17 person Ford Transit available at @$105 p.p. Booked it! Many on the Roll Call not so lucky. So today we will tender ashore and take the BS tour....

I just received notification from CC that LauraS has recognized this as a LIVE Review, which of course it ain't and never will be. And I've earned a special badge. Whoo hoo! I have a special banner before the first post. Norris

That's it!

THE CASINO I never gamble on a ship or on land when we visit Las Vegas and stay at the Bellagio. I like ships that have a casino as many folks on board enjoy them and maybe come from a town that offers no access to one. It also helps thin out the crowds and provides revenue to the line to use as they will. New ships? Sure. As we are in port today the casino is closed so the perfect time for pics. FWD elevator goes to 16. AFT to deck 15. Casino is on deck 4.

Before I forget here's a forgettable video I shot during our whale avoiding excursion in Akureyri. Sorry about the wind noise but....it was windy! Norris

A Quiet Eden The bar The two upper decks Stairs down to the restaurant Carol's favorite perch

Breakfast was at Cosmopolitan Carol's fruit plate My oatmeal with all the accompaniments Carol's build your own omelet with English Muffin My omelet with a side of corned beef hash Really good breakfasts here!

AidaSol at the dock Jewel behind us We don't have an excursion until noon so have time for breakfast and some wandering with the camera...

There's really not much to see in Iceland... I'll just leave this photo here for a minute. Click on it to see the Flickr source. Then click again ...

Saturday, June 10, cruise day 5 of 12. Approaching Isafjordur I am in position with coffee during our approach. We will anchor and tender today as AidaSol is at the dock. Jewel of theSeas will also anchor. We come from the land of ice and snow From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow The hammer of the gods Will drive our ships to new lands... The sprawling suburbs of Isafjordur I leave my deck 5 perch to get more coffee and a higher viewpoint

We leave Akureyri, the 2nd city, behind. It's far enough North that there was a small plane excursion to a blip on the map that is in the Arctic Circle. Tickets were about $1,000 and puffins might be seen. It would have been great conversation to drop "Have you been to the Arctic Circle?" casually into a conversation and one-up like a Pro. The value wasn't there. Bed at 9 p.m! No show for us. During the night the ship will make its way to Isafjordur...

Goods coming in Hurtigruten cruise ship More...

We left Akureyri at 8 p.m. One thing that had surprised me from our afternoon boat trip was the green hillsides and occasional farms I saw in the distance. These are all zoom shots (112mm to 320) on my 2nd camera. It won't get "dark" until after midnight but the sky will change every two minutes and provide drama. More...

It was 5.45 when we got back to the Apex after shopping on the pier for a fridge magnet where pickings were slim We were hungry as breakfast had been a long while ago so we went to Normandie Restaurant for a 6 o'clock "nosebag" (horse talk) You'll find that no matter which ship or line you sail there are morons like me who forget to take a pic of the menu. Luckily the table sign has a QR code if you really need it. This waiter Budi-he's as bonkers as I am so watch out for him. You'll have a laugh if your panties aren't in a bunch. Stay loose. Sila brings our water, Sari brings my wine. Lovely ladies with big smiles. We order from the French area of the menu which I wish was pages long as it is filled with some delights. We will have a superb dining room meal and I don't often go as far as superb. What did we eat? This is my baked Brie. Mine. All mine. I licked the plate. Licked it!! Je ne regret rien! Carol's Coquille St Jacques-scallops in a creamy wine sauce. Carol said it was "Formidable!" Our standard for MDR cuisine is Azamara and this meal is at that level. Way to go X!! My shrimp cocktail-small shrimp but I'm not paying $20 for it as I do at Joes Seafood in Miami or Chicago (the gold standard). I comment on the excellence of the "slap yo' mamma" flavor of the cocktail sauce. Budi launches into the exact recipe for this (he's a closet chef). So enthusiastic. By the way- I have never slapped my mamma and nor should you. You owe her a lot! Carol loves her salad -but you know that already. We both had Boeuf en Croute(a beef Wellington basically) Tasty but the beef needed a little bit of sawing to cut. First world problem. Now for dessert... Mille feuille- it left me speechless. Pastry chef-take a bow! Look at this Sacher Torte that Carol ordered. Are you hungry for a slice?? She's eaten the real thing in the Sacher Hotel in Vienna and this didn't disgrace itself. Best dining room meal so far and we shall return! We sail away at 8.

Cuteness overload. we watched as these tiny little chicks dived to the bottom (maybe 5 feet) and searched for food. They breathed out at the bottom then held their breath for the swim up. Carol is a duck lover and can do a great impression of a duck, so much so she has been shot at during hunting season. This is NOT a duck

Correctamundo! My favorite song from my favorite album. Norris

All ashore. A tiny statue by the company office. They have toilets in the office you can use. We return to the ship Home Sweet Home Time for a Nature interlude....

I helped myself stay warm(er) on the trip back by standing infront of the engine room exhaust on deck. I smelled of diesel (un nouvelle fragrance pour l'homme by Givenchy) but was toasty. My first cruise with thermal layers and puffy coat and they made a big difference to my comfort! ....and we're back on dry land