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Puffins and Reykjavik 海鸚鵡和雷克雅未克

June 26, 2023

After two long guided tours in the past two days,…

今天没什么大安排,睡了个懒觉。。。

June 26: After two long guided tours in the past two days, we decided to take it easy and enjoy a more relaxed pace today. We allowed ourselves to sleep in a bit, enjoying the comfort of our accommodations. Upon waking up, we were pleased to find that the weather was fair, with occasional glimpses of sunlight peeking through the clouds, and it got much better later in the day.

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city of Iceland. There are many things to see and do. We visited a few attractions on the first day we arrived and would catch up with the rest today. After a delightful breakfast, we explored the City Hall and the Parliament House. Following our visit, we leisurely strolled around a charming small lake near the City Hall, enjoying the serene surroundings and the tranquil atmosphere. It was a pleasant and laid-back morning, allowing us to unwind and savor the beauty of Reykjavik at our own pace.

Believe it or not, Icelandic hot dog is a popular food in Iceland. We heard about the famous hot dog vendor that boasted of serving the best hot dogs in town, and true to the claim, there were long queues of eager customers lining up in front of the stall. Connie reminisced that just two years ago, no one was in line at that spot, and she even had photographic evidence to back it up. The pandemic has indeed brought about significant changes in tourism and visitor patterns. Despite the allure of the famous vendor, we didn't want to wait in a long line for a hot dog and opted for a hot dog from a nearby small shop. The hot dog was undeniably tasty, yet we couldn't help but feel it fell short of justifying its five-dollar price tag. Nevertheless, the experience allowed us to savor a popular Icelandic food. These little moments of exploration often leave the most lasting impressions during our travels.

Apart from hot dogs, Icelandic fish and chips are also a must-try. So, we went to another famous shop across the street from our apartment and shared one fish and chips. Over the past few days in Iceland, we've had fish and chips multiple times, and this place served a tasty version, one of the best. After paying, they even gave us two pieces of chocolate cookies as a bonus.

The street murals in Reykjavik, Iceland, elevated the city's lively artistic vibe. As we roamed the streets, we spontaneously snapped photos of these mesmerizing artworks. They provided a striking contrast to the meticulously regulated house paint in the HOA-governed neighborhoods where we reside.

One thing we hadn't done in Iceland so far was see puffins. Connie brought back many beautiful photos of adorable puffins two years ago, and this time, Chenggang hoped to see them in person. We did not get a chance to go on the puffin tour when our cruise ship stopped at Isafjordur a few days ago. There is a small island outside Reykjavik known for puffin watching, but the weather had been terrible in the past few days, and the boats couldn't go out. Finally, the sky cleared up, and the wind subsided this afternoon, and Chenggang quickly booked the last available spot.

After a delightful fifteen-minute ride, the boat arrived at the protected island near the city. Passengers could not disembark on the island due to its conservation status. Instead, everybody remained on the boat, eagerly observing the diverse birds inhabiting the area, including the adorable and agile puffins. With a long lens, Chenggang captured their charm and grace in photographs. He took snapshots of the puffins in flight, expertly clutching fish in their mouths, and some captivating close-ups of the puffins gracefully gliding across the sea. The encounter with these charming creatures undoubtedly became a highlight of the day, filling him with joy and leaving him with cherished memories of this enchanting island adventure.

We opted for a delicious dinner from the supermarket, enjoying roasted pork belly and traditional Icelandic lamb soup. The lamb soup was a delightful surprise, as it was incredibly flavorful without any gamey taste, leaving us wishing we had tried it more often during our stay.

After a satisfying meal, we took advantage of the rare good weather and went for a leisurely stroll along the picturesque seaside. Along the way, we visited and revisited a few more attractions. It was the perfect way to end the day and our long journey, immersing ourselves in the serene surroundings and soaking in the tranquil atmosphere, making the most of our time and creating lasting memories of our incredible time in Iceland.

It's time to go home.

6/26: 今天没什么大安排,睡了个懒觉。起床后,发现今天天气还可以,不能说是大晴天,但太阳时常会露面一会儿。早餐后,去市政府楼和议会大楼那里看看,环绕着市政府楼边的小湖走了一圈。

都说来冰岛要尝一下冰岛热狗,号称是这里最好热狗的网红小贩的亭子前排着长队,佩民说二年前亭子前一个人都没有,有照片为证,都是疫情惹的祸。我们今天就不凑这个热闹,而是在旁边一家小店里要了个热狗。味道还不错,但怎么也不值五美金。

除了热狗,冰岛的炸鱼块和薯条也是必须要尝的。接着我们来到公寓对面的另一网红店俩人分享了一份炸鱼块和薯条。其实来冰岛这几天炸鱼块和薯条已经吃了好几次,今天的这家网红店味道的确不错,付款后还给了二块巧克力饼干。

回房休息一会儿后,天气转晴,风也小下来了。来冰岛后,还有一事没做成-看海鸚鵡。佩民二年前带回许多漂亮可爱海鹦鹉的照片,这次来冰岛就一直希望也能亲眼目睹。Reykjavik 外面有一个小岛是看海鹦鹉的好地方,前几天的天气实在太糟糕,船都不能出海,今天下午总算是云开雾散,赶紧订票抢了最后一个名额。

乘坐小船十五分钟后来到城市不远的小岛边,小岛受保护的,不能上岛,只能远远停在海上观望,岛上各种鸟不少,海鹦鹉很小,飞得又快,既是用了长镜头,由于水平有限,今天的照片不能和两年前的照片相比的,差一段距离,但也算碰上冰岛最可爱的动物了。

晚饭是超市里买的烤五花肉和冰岛传统羊肉汤。羊肉汤一点羊肉腥都没有,很好喝,早知道就多该尝试几次。难得的好天气,饭后去海边散步,再补上几个景点。

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Golden Circle 黄金圈游

June 25, 2023

We joined the Golden Circle tour from a local tour company…

今天跟着当地的旅游团走了冰岛另一条热门线路-黄金圈。。。

June 25: We joined the Golden Circle tour from a local tour company booked through Viator. While glaciers shaped yesterday's sights, today's destinations were all related to volcanic eruptions and geothermal activity. Unfortunately, with constant rain and strong winds, today's weather wasn't favorable. The significant advantage of joining a guided tour is that we leave the driving to someone else, especially on long journeys and bad weather days.

Like yesterday's tour, we gathered at bus stop #12, where a large bus came to pick us up. Arriving at a parking lot near a gas station in the city, the passengers on the bus either remained on the same bus or switched to a different one, depending on their itineraries. Fortunately, in both cases, the bus that picked us up was the right one for our tour, so we did not need to change buses.

Our first destination was the stunning Thingvellir National Park, where we walked through a narrow valley leading to the birthplace of the Icelandic parliament, known as the Althing. The Althing is the world's oldest parliament, dating back over a thousand years. In those ancient times, the Icelanders gathered here annually to establish their self-governing regulations, resisting being ruled by the Danish crown, which was later abolished by decree. As we strolled through the valley, we also had the incredible opportunity to witness the ongoing geological marvel of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This geological boundary separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, gradually drifting apart at a rate of two centimeters per year. The cliffs flanking either side of the valley, with different elevations, are tangible evidence of this real-time separation of the tectonic plates. The park's beauty was captivating, with its majestic mountains, serene lakes, majestic waterfalls, and rich historical significance. It is undoubtedly a must-visit destination in Iceland, offering an unforgettable experience for all who venture there. The disadvantage of joining a guided tour was that we only had limited time at each sight, which was not enough for the beautiful Thingvellir National Park.

Arriving at the Strokkur Geyser, besides the geyser viewing, this was also our lunch spot. We decided to have lunch first at the café, which was bustling with fellow travelers. Once we were fueled up, we eagerly awaited the geyser's eruption. Strokkur did not disappoint; it put on a mesmerizing display, sending boiling water columns shooting several meters high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. We even fortunately had witnessed a double eruption, to our delight. The sight was truly impressive, captivating everyone present. However, despite its awe-inspiring nature, Strokkur couldn't quite match the grandeur and size of the geysers found in Yellowstone National Park. Nevertheless, experiencing the natural spectacle of Strokkur was undoubtedly one of the day's highlights, leaving us in awe of the mighty forces at play in this geothermal wonderland.

Continuing our journey, we proceeded to another renowned site, the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall. This natural wonder is a two-tiered waterfall boasting a powerful flow that gracefully descends into a canyon, creating a truly breathtaking spectacle. To fully appreciate its beauty, we ventured down a flight of stairs to catch a closer glimpse of the lower tier, but in doing so, we couldn't escape the refreshing mist from the cascading water. The experience was invigorating. On the other hand, the path to view the upper tier was much easier to navigate, offering a flat and accessible vantage point to witness the waterfall's grandeur. Gullfoss left us in awe of nature's prowess and provided another unforgettable moment in this extraordinary Icelandic adventure.

Our final destination on the Golden Circle route for the day was the Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater lake. Unfortunately, the weather was unfavorable, rainy and windy. However, we still took the opportunity to walk around the rim, marveling at the impressive geological formation and the serene lake at its center. Despite being unable to walk down to the bottom of the crater and explore the crater fully, we appreciated the unique beauty of Kerid and were content with the experience.

After returning from the Golden Circle tour, we rested a little at the apartment, had a quick dinner, and went out again. Tonight, we attended a famous Icelandic stand-up comedy show called "How to Become an Icelander in 60 Minutes" at the HARPA Concert Hall. It was a hilarious and light-hearted way to end this challenging day.

6/25: 今天跟着当地的旅游团走了冰岛另一条热门线路-黄金圈。昨天的景色都是由冰川造成的,那么今天所去的地方都是与火山爆发和地热有关的。天公不作美,今天又是整天刮风下雨。跟团游的最大好处是把开车的事交给他人了,尤其是当路途遥远且天气糟糕的时候。

首先来到辛格维利尔国家公园 (Thingvellir National Park), 走进通往冰岛议会诞生地的狭谷。一千多年前,不愿意听从挪威国王统治,在那里冰岛人开始一年一度集会,制定自治法规。走在狭谷中也目睹正在进行中的大西洋中部裂谷的地理过程,欧亚板块和北美板块正在以每年二厘米速度分离,狭谷两边的高低不同悬崖峭𤩹位于不同的板块上,是板块分离的见证。公园很漂亮,有山,有水,有瀑布,有历史,是一个应该慢游的地方。

第二个景点是盖歇尔地热区(Geysir),其中最为活跃的史托克喷泉(Strokkur)每隔5~10分钟就喷发一道沸腾的水柱,高达几十米,场面颇为壮观。但比我们黄石公园的差远了。

接下来我们来到的是另一个著名的景点-黄金瀑布(Gullfoss)。这是一个双层的瀑布,水流非常急,最终流入峡谷,极其壮观。看下层的瀑布需要往下走一段台阶,同时也会被飞流直下的水气淋湿。去看上面那层瀑布的路就很平坦。

今天黄金圈线路的最后一个景点是火山口湖(Kerid Crater)。可以沿着火山口走一圈再走到火山口下面的湖边,但今天风雨交加,我们俩只是沿着火山口走了一圈,没下到火山底。

黄金圈回来后,回公寓稍微休息一下,吃个晚饭又外出了。今晚去哈帕音乐厅看著名的冰岛脱口秀-怎么在60分钟内学会做冰岛人,这脱口秀已上演了十年了。捧腹大笑轻松一下,给这辛苦的一天有个完美的结局。

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South Iceland 冰岛南部

June 24, 2023

Today, we joined the South Iceland tour through Viator…

今天参加当地旅游团去南岸看冰川,。。。

Today, we joined the South Iceland tour through Viator to explore the southern coast, visiting glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Iceland's ever-changing weather had taught us not to be fooled by the clear blue skies in the morning, so we brought our raincoats and warm jackets whenever we ventured out. We walked to the Bus Stop #12 in the morning. A pickup bus collected the eagerly waiting tourists at the bus stop, transporting us to a gas station on the city's outskirts. Over there, tourists went to their designated destination buses. Fortunately, the pickup bus was also our tour bus, so we didn’t have to get off the bus. During the journey, the bus made three stops for breakfast and restroom breaks, which felt somewhat redundant.

First, we arrived at Skogafoss, a majestic waterfall with cascading waters, often creating rainbows when the sunlight hits the spray. The land below was relatively flat, allowing visitors to approach the water curtain of the waterfall, but the mist required raincoats to stay dry. Climbing the 465 steps to the top of the waterfall was a bit tiring, but the effort was rewarded with a breathtaking view of the unique landscape of Iceland's southern coast, especially when the weather was great. According to Connie, there were only a few tourists, and taking photos was a breeze two years ago when she visited here. However, today, it was a long line of people winding up the stairs.

Leaving the waterfall, we reached the black sand beach. Connie still vividly remembered being almost blown away by the wind during their last visit two years ago. Today's weather at the black sand beach was even worse with the fierce winds and pouring rain. Our tour guide repeatedly emphasized that we should not touch the seawater, which could be extremely dangerous. Braving the elements, we managed to walk along the beach and take a few photos at the foot of the mountains before returning to the bus, completely soaked despite our raincoats.

Our third destination of the day was the magnificent Solheimajokull Glacier. Hiking on the glacier required the expertise of a specialized guide, which our tour did not include. We admired the breathtaking views from the glacier's edge before proceeding to our next destination.

Our final stop for the day was the renowned Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls. This tall waterfall created a mesmerizing curtain of water. What made it truly special was the pathway that allowed visitors to walk behind the waterfall, providing a unique and thrilling perspective. However, venturing through the waterfall meant being enveloped in a refreshing mist, impossible to stay dry. Although we were soaked, the experience of being so close to this natural wonder was genuinely unforgettable.

As the bus returned to the city, the surroundings were shrouded in dense fog, significantly reducing visibility on a particular stretch of the road. Fortunately, we were not responsible for driving, allowing us to relax and even nap on the bus. Our journey had begun at eight in the morning and stretched until seven in the evening.

For dinner, we prepared a delicious tomato mushroom egg drop soup, bacon stir-fried cabbage, roasted chicken wings, and some grilled pork belly bought from the supermarket. As always, homemade dishes tasted wonderful.

6/24:大清早公寓门口的彩虹街没游客非常安静。今天参加当地旅游团去南岸看冰川,瀑布和黑沙滩。都说冰岛的天气变化莫测,千万不可让早晨看见的蓝天白云给蒙骗了,每天出门必备雨衣,羽绒服。今天上午出门时天气还算帮忙,我们先来到斯可加瀑布(Skogafoss),这个瀑布非常高,水冲击地面溅起的水花在阳光下常常能看到彩虹。下面的陆地很平坦,游客能走到瀑布的水帘附近,但一定要有雨衣。沿阶梯可以走到瀑布的顶端,465级台阶走上去虽有点累但值得,在上面能俯瞰冰岛南岸特有的地貌。佩民二年前来这里时游客稀少,照片随便拍,而今天爬阶梯都是弯弯扭扭一条长龙。

离开瀑布来到了黑沙滩,佩民对二年前来黑沙滩时人都要被吹走的经历记忆非常深刻。而今天这里的天气更糟糕,来到海边时狂风暴雨,导游一再强调绝对不能碰海水,会有去无回的。顶着大风大雨在沙滩上走一走来到山脚下拍几张照片,雨衣根本挡不住雨水,全身湿漉漉的回到大巴。

今天第三个景点是冰川(Solheimajokull Glacier),徒步上冰川必须有专门的向导带领,我们只是走到冰川边上饱饱眼福之后就赶往下一个景点。

塞里雅兰瀑布(Seljalandsfoss),也许是冰岛最著名的瀑布之一。瀑布很高,像水帘洞,最大特点是游客可以沿着水帘后面的通道走到瀑布的后面,从里看外感觉很不一样。穿越瀑布时被水气溅湿是绝对的。反正今天一整天是湿了又湿。

大巴往返城市里时,又是大雾笼罩,有一段路的能见度相当低,幸好我们不用自己开车,还能在车上打瞌睡。早上八点上的大巴晚上七点才回到住宿。番茄蘑菇蛋花汤,培根炒白菜,加上烤鸡翅膀和超市买的烤五花肉,自己做的菜味道总是好吃。

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Disembarked at Reykjavik 下船了

June 23, 2023

Our 12-day cruise to Norway and Iceland,…

12天的挪威,冰岛游轮游结束了。。。

June 23: Our 12-day cruise to Norway and Iceland, exploring the Arctic Circle, came to an end. At 6 in the morning, our ship arrived promptly at the Reykjavík harbor. Before disembarking, we had our last breakfast at the Garden Cafe. Throughout the cruise, we had breakfast in the buffet restaurant every morning - mainly because of the variety of choices and the chance to chat with other travelers. However, this leg of the cruise was full, making it sometimes challenging to find a table. We would occasionally share a table with fellow passengers. 

At 8:30 am, we disembarked and took the complimentary shuttle to the city center. From there, we went directly to the apartment we had booked for our stay. Since check-in was not until three in the afternoon, we stored our luggage in a small storage room downstairs and headed to the nearby bookstore to have a cup of coffee and plan our upcoming days.

After having lunch at a Thai restaurant, we started exploring the city. Our first stop was Reykjavík's iconic landmark—the Hallgrímskirkja Church, also known as the "Rocket" Church. While entry to the church was free, accessing the observation tower required a ticket. The interior of the church was relatively simple, but its distinctive architecture was truly captivating.

Next, we checked off the fishbone sculpture by the waterfront, but the strong winds and waves prompted us to move on quickly. We then visited the Harpa Concert Hall and had the opportunity to attend a free concert performed by one of Iceland's most talented young pianists. This enchanting experience lasted for more than an hour.

After the concert, we checked into our apartment. The location of the apartment we booked was excellent, right on the colorful Rainbow Street in the heart of the city. From there, we could easily walk to the "Rocket" Church. The one-bedroom apartment was spacious and comfortable, complete with a kitchen. Since our apartment was on the top floor, from our room, we had a fantastic view of Rainbow Street leading towards the "Rocket" Church. We could even catch glimpses of the sea.

Once settled in, we went to the nearby supermarket to buy groceries. In the evening, we cooked our dinner and enjoyed a relaxing meal in the comfort of our home away from home.

6/23:12天的挪威,冰岛游轮游结束了。早上六点我们的船就已准时停靠在冰岛首都Reykjavík 船码头。下船前我们先去自助餐厅吃上最后一顿早餐。这次游轮上我们每天都在自助餐厅用早餐,一是选择性多一点,二是有机会与其他游客聊聊天。但这一程游轮游客特别多,常常要花些时间才能找到位子,有时实在不行只能与其他游客拼桌。

八点半我们下船,乘坐城市里提供的免费游船码头到市中心的专车,然后直接去了我们租订的公寓。因为入住要到下午三点,我们先把行李寄放在底层小行李房里,然后来到旁边的书店里喝杯咖啡,安排一下接下来几天的行程。

中午在泰国店吃过午餐后开始采点。首先来到Reykjavík 标志性建筑-哈尔格杯姆斯大教堂,也称“火箭"大教堂。进教堂是免费的,但上观景钟楼则需要买票。教堂里面除了巨型管风琴外,其它比较简单,倒是教堂的外观更吸引人。

接着来到海边打卡鱼骨雕塑。风大浪大不能多呆,便来到哈帕音乐厅,正好碰上免费的音乐会,由冰岛最有才华的年轻钢琴家为大家演奏,整整一个多小时。

听完音乐会后,入住公寓。这次订的公寓位置相当好,就在市中心的彩虹街上,沿着街就可以直接走到“火箭"大教堂。一房一厅的民宿舒适宽敞,带厨房。我们的房间在顶楼,从房间里就可以看到不远处的教堂,还能看到海。

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Isafjordur, Iceland 伊萨菲约杜尔

June 22, 20232

This morning, the cruise ship tendered at the charming town of Isafjordur…

今天游船停靠冰岛西峡湾边上的小城。。。

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。

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Akureyri, Iceland 阿克雷里

June 21, 2023

We bid farewell to the Svalbard islands two days ago,…

离开北极的Svalbard岛屿,。。。

June 21: We bid farewell to the Svalbard islands two days ago, leaving the Arctic behind as we said goodbye to Norway. After two days at sea, our ship arrived in Akureyri, a city in northern Iceland and the second-largest city in the country.

For Connie, this was a return visit to a familiar place as she spent almost three weeks circling the entire island two years ago. It was a new country for Chenggang, so in the morning, he joined a shore excursion organized by the ship to visit the famous Godafoss waterfall, one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Connie skipped the tour since she had already seen the place. Instead, she took a local bus, free of charge for everyone, to visit the museums and the Botanical Garden by herself.

After a quick 45-minute stop at the waterfall, the excursion tour bus came to the botanical garden. Instead of returning to the ship with the tour bus, Chenggang chose to stay in the park, where he enjoyed a cup of coffee and delicious sweets with Connie at the garden's cafe. We shared the table with a couple from Washington State, our fellow cruise passengers, and had a delightful chat and exchanged travel stories for over an hour.

After some rest on the ship, we got off the ship again in the afternoon and walked over five kilometers to explore the old town. Akureyri's Old Town is a charming historic district near the city center. It is characterized by its well-preserved wooden buildings, colorful houses, and cobblestone streets, giving visitors a glimpse into the city's past. The old seafront houses, once situated on the coast, have now recessed away from the water due to coastal land reclamation. The changes have been quite significant over the past one or two centuries. Posts with old pictures illustrated the changes over the years installed at several locations in front of the historic buildings. We thought those were informative and interesting. Walking through this area, visitors can admire the unique architecture and learn about the city's rich history.

The city center exudes a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, with a mix of boutique shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants lining its narrow streets. It is a delightful place to explore, offering a blend of culture, tradition, and modernity.

After dinner, the ship slowly departed from Akureyri. We then attended a singing and dancing show. As the show concluded, the ship's crew and officers graced the stage to greet the passengers. When the "washing, washing" girl, armed with her sanitizing bottle, took to the stage, the audience erupted in laughter and heartfelt applause, appreciating her dedicated and meticulous efforts to ensure our health and safety. Undoubtedly, she was the ship's most famous and funniest crew member.

The improved weather conditions led to clear skies, and the sea was relatively calm, with no significant roughness. Whales frequently appeared in the area, so we spent some time on our balcony, hoping for a sighting.

Deep in the night, the radiant sun clung to the horizon, defying its descent, creating the illusion that the Earth stood still. It was a breathtaking sight. To our amazement, numerous whales frolicked gracefully in the sea bathed in golden sunlight, and we beheld the spectacle of whales spouting what seemed like "fire." We eagerly observed and captured photographs from our balcony for almost two awe-inspiring hours until half past one in the morning before eventually retiring to sleep.

6/21: 离开北极的Svalbard岛屿,也和挪威说再见。经过二天的海上航行,我们的船来到冰岛北部的Akureyri市。因为佩民二年前来过此地,对她来说算是故地重游。早晨成刚一人就跟团去了著名的众神瀑布,瀑布那里游客特别多,待了四十五分钟大巴就匆匆离开来到植物园。 成刚正好与独自一人自由行也来到植物园的佩民会合。

回船稍微休息之后,下午我们再次下船,走了五公里多,主要看看老城区。以前的海景房因为填海造地现在都远离海岸,看来一,二百年来变化还是很大的。总的感觉是城市虽小,博物馆,花园,老城区,新市区都不大,但环境优美。城市还有免费的环城公交,为游客提供方便。

晚餐后船慢慢离开Akureyri市,天气逐渐变晴,浪也不大。听说鲸鱼常常出没这个海域,整个晚上我们时而在房间的阳台上碰碰运气,希望能有收获。

半夜时分,金灿灿的太阳停留在海平面上不会消失,就像地球停止转动一样,漂亮极了。更为惊喜的是在金色阳光下,无数鲸鱼游戏在海上,我们目睹了鲸鱼喷"火”的壮观景象。二人在阳台上忙活了二个小时到早上一点半才睡下。

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