Category: The DayBook

Not enough WiFi to do anything this evening. Another lovely day at sea. I think we should see Greenland tomorrow. Mandatory briefings s. Got fitted with real sturdy boots. Weather turned cloudy and chilly. Ocean is a little lumpy. 

I’m am going to try to upload this now and maybe there will be a StarLink satellite closer later and I can upload a picture or two.

Very little Wi-Fi. StarLink satellites are far and few between up in the far north. 

There are about 280 passengers on board. We were encouraged to upgrade out cabins. But, I didn’t even consider it. The only thing a better cabin would get me is “free” access to the better dining room and an increased chance of seasickness.  And I have had one dinner and one breakfast and one waffle in lieu of lunch and have no complaints. My asylums family knows that I am quick to complain about the food, 

The 280 passengers makes it about ½ full. Over 100 of the passengers are German, And, considering how far away it is, there a more than a few Aussies. There are no kids. No wheelchairs or rollators. A few canes. I am one of the oldest. Average age, middle 60s is my guess. Enough folk who are fit enough to fill up the 8km uphill hikes, kayaks and SUP adventures. 

There have been a lot of mandatory briefings. The funniest one being “how to get into a cold water survival suit”. And we got assigned to animal groups for zodiac excursions.  As in “all walruses report to the escape pod”. I would be a walrus. Would rather be a polar bear. 

We were told that Greenland is covered with large mosquitoes. You think they could have said that before leaving civilization. I intend to try to make friends with someone who is better prepared. And, no we didn’t have mosquitoes in my part of Alaska. How was I to know?  

More later. If the Wi-Fi gods are willing. 

 

So far so good. Of course we only just started and have 25 days to go.

I am desperately hoping for smooth sailing weather.

Let the adventure begin. Beginning with a good night’s sleep.

The hotel room is ordinary. What I love is the view. Except, a big green ship just pulled in and blocked most of the view. 

Today’s plan walk to a lighthouse that’s about 4miles away and then find a place to view the Pride Parade.   

I didn’t make it to the lighthouse. When I was about 20 minutes away I decided to turn back and save some energy for the afternoon. It was a fine walk beside the ocean. With newish residential buildings across the road. I think a lot of this area was dedicated to fish processing back in the day. 

After recharging my phone and myself, it was off to watch a parade.

It was a pretty standard Pride Parade… Except I couldn’t read most of the signs and the diplomatic corps walked in the parade. 

Time to think about breaking camp. Gotta be out of the hotel by noon. Can’t Check in at the boat until after 4. Boats park right across the street from the hotel. But my boat is parking 3 miles down the road. I can walk it or bus it. Or heaven forbid, cab it.  Cabbing it would mean yet another app. Of course, Iceland doesn’t Uber or Lyft. First world problems.

it was a little damp as I headed out on today’s first adventure, a visit to the National Museum.  The centerpiece of the museum are some Viking grave goods. This wayside was my major takeaway.

No indication is given as to where women went after death. It always sucked being female.

They had an exhibit of “stuff” from the 20th century arranged by decade. There was an IBM PC from the 1980s. I was impressed that it still had a Word Perfect cheat sheet attached, 

I walked along a lake that freezes in winter.

After a little rest back at the hotel, it was off to the Penis Museum. It was busier than the National Museum.

Time for an early dinner at the “best” hotdog stand in Iceland. Pretty damn good dog. I had a classic Coke having learned that Icelanders consume more Coke per person than any other country in the world. They are number 3 in the coffee consumption category.

Today’s plan was to take in an odd ball museum and to take the city bus somewhere. Anywhere, actually. And, make it back to my hotel. Don’t laugh. At my age, that’s Adventure Travel.

The Maritime Museum is my odd ball museum. After paying my monies I discover that the reason I picked this museum wasn’t available. I wanted to tour the Coast Guard cutter Odinn. The Odinn took part in the Cod Wars that Iceland fought with GB in the middle of the last century. Every time tiny Iceland won. The Cod Wars

Instead I had to learn about cod fishing. The history of cod fishing to be exact. I learned way more than I wanted to know.

The woman in the gift shop said, Yes. Worms. I had a chicken sandwich for dinner! An a vat of Icelandic yogurt. 

Bus ride was unremarkable. Found the app. Installed the app. Bought a ticket. Found a bus stop. Figured out how to activate the ticket. Got on the first bus to come along. Scanned my bus ticket. And about an hour later I was close to the hotel. Rang the bell. Got off the bus,  it doesn’t seem like much. But, I am glad to know that I still have enough brain cells firing to get it done, 

And, I spent an hour with real Icelanders. And saw some of non tourist Reykjavik. 

A visit to the aforementioned penis museum is on tomorrow’s odd ball museum list. Maybe I should go around lunch time. They have a restaurant!

 

 The plan was to catch a ferry to an uninhabited little island with beaches and walking paths. On my way to the ferry, I remembered that I really like urban things. Things like wall art and street food. Change of plan.

There is a statue of Leif Erikson out front. I always thought he was a Viking not a Lutheran. Maybe they aren’t mutually exclusive.

The on the food truck says “eat like a king, live like a Viking”. At least that’s what Google says it says.

Problem is, the purple condiment. It tried to get on my pants. The pants that I have to wear for another 30+ days.

indeed, 100,000 plus are expected at Saturday’s parade. I think that’s 25% of the population of the country.  

Time for more street food!

That donut was excellent. By the time I got back to the hotel, it was cloudy so it was nap time..

 I know that I should be off riding a tour bus around, taking in nature stuff. But I really am an urban person. I whole lot rather like taking the city stuff. There’s enough time for Nature when I get on the boat. 

I made it to the hotel by noon. I am astonished by the great view.  Also pleased by the weather, It was between 50 and 60 all day. Lots of sun. No wind, couldn’t ask for a finer day. 

Walked from the bus depot to th hotel. Google said it would take about 22 minutes. Well, it took longer, I kept stopping to look at stuff.

After a very short recharge period, it was out for a walk.

Had a very early dinner,

And I fell asleep while assembling today’s blogpost. It’s  9:22 PM now. Coffee and cookie maybe and hopefully back to sleep until 6 or so. 

Noon-ish. 11 hours until time boarding time.

Evil weather is scheduled for early this evening when I would normally be leaving for the airport. Leave here at 7 PM get to the airport in plenty of time.

But, what if “they” are right and a line of killer summer storms comes through between 5 and 7? How lucky do I feel?  

Anyhow. All packed. Even have my travel togs on. Suitcase 17 pounds. Backpack/purse 7 pounds. That includes my “winter” jacket. I did the 123456 packing thing. 1 hat, 2 pair shoes, 3 pants, 4 shirts, 5 sox and 6 undies. Plus swimsuit, rain pants, extra sweater,  and gloves. WAAAY Over packed. 

At the airport. Did TSA. With luck the plane to Iceland leaves in seven hours.  Let the waiting begin.

On the elevator this evening after dinner. It stops at #6 and lets off a friend. Stops at #8 and another friend gets off. Two of us remain on the elevator going to #11. #9 was accidentally punched. Elevator does not stop at #9. But it makes a terrible noise. Fortunately it made it to #11 where it did stop. You never saw two old women get off an elevator as fast as we did. Then it just sat there. Opening and closing the door. This elevator has been out of service for over two weeks for a “major tune up”. Not sure they got all the parts back in the right place. 

No harm done. We didn’t get stuck. But still… 

OOPS. Wreckage of the Future Alert.

Weather doesn’t look too promising for flying tomorrow.  I especially don’t want anyone trying to get me to the airport in a hailstorm.

Well, in about 48 hours I should be all ready to go. Somehow, I am feeling that this might be my last adventure. Not that I will not want to go. But, will I be able to? Travel takes energy, functioning brain cells, energy, planning, energy, attention to detail, energy, focus, energy, flexibility, energy, and luck. I am questioning my supply of energy.  But, what am I going to do? Stay home and fold paper?

Origami. My neighbor and I are going to sell our creations in early October. So, in order to have something to sell, I am taking 1.5 pounds of paper with me. That would be 330 sheets.

They are going to be made into flowers which will in time be made into wreaths. I can fold the flower to the “triangle” stage on the trip and then finish them when I get back home. I’ll be gone 36 days – so – if I do 10 a day most days – I’ll have a lot of flower “buds”. 

First things first. A birthday party this evening. One of my accidental family will be 81 next week and we are celebrating early so I can attend. Then tomorrow, I believe I might pack. Wonder if I should take a swim togs. They have hot springs in Iceland. And I am pretty sure that one wears swim suits, not birthday suits. 

My son-in-law nudged me to “don’t forget” an obligation. Not a problem with that. I am old and I forget things. He softened the nudge with a picture of the new puppy.  

While on the subject of dogs.

It really isn’t used. We also have an unused fire pit. The fire pit was used once. On Oct 21 of last year.

It’s almost time for Happy Hour. I’d best spring into action.