Morning navigation led National Geographic Orion around the Alftavikurfjall region, the northeast corner of the island of Iceland. This area is particularly opportunistic for the likes of whales, particularly minke or humpback. Today, the guests aboard the ship were extremely lucky to view both! These are both baleen whales, animals that take in huge amounts of water by expanding their ventral pleats, followed by sieving the water out through their massive mouths. Baleen is a construct made of keratin, the same protein that builds our fingernails and hair. The baleen hangs down from their upper jaw and acts as an extremely effective filter for these animals, instead of relying on tools like teeth (which would prove useless against their miniscule prey choice). The ship saw these whales lunge feeding, bubble net feeding, and lolling about at the surface. This activity was perfectly timed, as marine mammal expert Madalena was about to give her lecture on the very same creatures in the lounge.
After a morning of rambunctious whale watching, the ship had to reposition to our afternoon destination. Seydisfjordur is a small town comprised of artists, musicians, and creative Icelanders. The village is nested in a beautiful fjord, surrounded on both sides by steep cliffs carved by glaciers roughly 10,000 years ago. Here the guests had several options for an afternoon excursion – including a strenuous hike to the town’s magnificent cliffs and kayaking to a nearby town.
Kayakers headed out, off the stern of the vessel to explore Seydisfjordur by boat. The one-way trip offered views of the town, up close exploration of a small central island, and a beautiful slow walk back to the ship.
After afternoon expeditions and a gourmet dinner, the guests gathered in the lounge for a musical experience hosted by native Icelander Myrra Ros. Myrra has been living and playing music in Iceland for her entire life; enjoying her dulcet tones was the perfect evening cap before resting up, ready to welcome a brand new day.
