Isafjordur, Iceland 伊萨菲约杜尔

June 22: This morning, the cruise ship tendered at the charming town of Isafjordur on the edge of Iceland's Westfjords. Since we did not sign up for any ship-organized tours, we got off the ship as soon as possible and went to the tourist office asking for the local puffin excursion info. Unfortunately, the excursion schedule did not fit our ship's departure time because the small island for the puffin sightseeing was too far. So we decided to explore the town by ourselves.

There was this very nice hiking trail on the edge of the city, and it was going up the hill. The abundant purple lupines, not native to Iceland, were in full bloom along the trail and all over the mountain. They were initially introduced in the early 20th century as a way to combat soil erosion and improve soil fertility. However, they have since become invasive in some areas of the country, particularly in Iceland's southern and western regions. While lupines can add a beautiful splash of color to the landscape, they remind us of the consequence of human introduction to the ecosystem. We enjoyed hiking up the hill in the morning.

Under the clear, sunny skies of Isafjordur, the view from the mountain's summit was nothing short of spectacular. We were greeted by a breathtaking panoramic vista that stretched out before us as we reached the top. Below, the picturesque town of Isafjordur is nestled amidst the surrounding fjords, its colorful buildings standing out against the dramatic backdrop of the soaring hills. The vibrant hues of the hills painted a mesmerizing contrast to the deep blue waters of the fjord, creating a scene that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. It was a moment that etched the beauty of Isafjordur and its natural surroundings deep into our memories.

Later in the afternoon, we strolled through the town center. Despite being a small town with just a few narrow streets for its population of fewer than three thousand people, the city center was well laid out with bus stops, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian paths. The houses facing the narrow bay were beautifully painted, creating a picturesque scene.

As evening approached, the ship set sail from Isafjordur, heading towards Iceland's capital, Reykjavík, which would also be our final destination for the cruise. It has been a while since we left home; it's time to return.

6/22: 今天游船停靠冰岛西峡湾边上的小城 - Isafjordur，我们没有参加任何组团活动。上午爬山看了一下满山的鲁冰花，下午再去城中心转了一圈。只有三千人不到的小城中心其实就几条小马路，但有公交和自行车／徒步专道，面朝狭湾的小房都油漆的漂漂亮亮。

船傍晚就起航离开这里，前往冰岛首都Reykjavík ，那里也将是我们游船的终点站。离家已经很久了，该回家了。