Amidst calm seas, we shoved off from Húsavík and headed northwest toward the Arctic Island of Grímsey. While at sea and enjoying post-breakfast coffee, guests aboard National Geographic Explorer learned about Icelandic culture and traditions from Cultural Specialist Andreas Guðmundsson Gähwiller. This was followed by a presentation from National Geographic Photographer Paolo Verzone who shared his work and insights on the topic of “Arctic Nights, Arctic Light.”
The Global Explorers, our youngest aboard, learned about the importance of observational skills while playing simulation games with Naturalist Chelsea Leven.
After anchoring off Grímsey, we took Zodiacs ashore and were treated to a beautiful stroll along the steep banks of the island. With this destination virtually to ourselves, we saw fulmars, terns, cormorants, guillemots, kittiwakes, and as a treat, many puffins which were a delightful surprise this late in the season. As we approached the Arctic line, we saw a herd of Icelandic horses feeding in the wild grasses below.
The day was capped off with a “Viking Dinner” which included several local Icelandic favorites as we set our course for the remote hamlet of Bakkagerði, within the magnificent Borgarfjörður Eystri.
