Day Twenty-Four - Djupivogur, Iceland Monday 04 August 2014

We are anchored outside Djupivogur, Iceland early so Phil and I are able to get one of the first tenders into town about 8:30 am.

This is a very small place (about 400 inhabitants).   Phonetic pronunciation is:  geepeevigor --- the Icelandic language is hard to get used to -- luckily everyone speaks English.

Harbor in Djupivogur!

It is thought that German merchants began trading here in 1589 -- records show that four houses existed in Djupivogur in 1850 ---  by 1900  a warehouse, a slaughterhouse and a residence for the store manager were added bringing the total to seven.    Fishing is still the major source of employment in the village -- although tourism is rapidly increasing.

Our first stop is the Information Center -- which is more like a booth with one guy.   I take some literature in English and we head over to the hotel to get a cup of coffee and use their internet.    Hotel Framtid is lovely -- and it is the fastest internet we've had since leaving Boston.  

Pat using WiFi at Hotel Framtid!

Moving on about 10:00 am --- we start walking around town.   There are some very quirky houses here where their owners just like to make stuff and display it for people to see.  I don't know how many cruise ships stop here but it is really interesting to see what these people do when, apparently, they have a lot of time on their hands.

Quirky House #1-- Laurel and Hardy!

Quirky House #1 -- was all about rocks and stones and stuff that could be made from these materials -- the proprietor was very proud to show off his workshop -- he had a little gift shop  -- no pressure to buy.

Quirky House #2 -- Seven Dwarfs

Quirky House #2 -- right next door was all about trolls, elves and the seven dwarfs -- this place seemed more organized or maybe it was just more focused.

Quirky House #3 -- Stone Sculptures!

Quirky House #3 - Fossil Eggs Anyone?

Quirky House #3 -- was over by the Egg Sculputures (we'll get to those later) -- and this guy was all over the place with his wares.   He had lots of skeletons of various animals -- fossil eggs that he was selling (looked like rocks to me) and sculptures he made from stones and driftwood.  This was the largest of these establishments.

On the way to the Egg Sculptures we stop at the Supermarket which smells fabulous as soon as the door opens --- they are baking croissants -- we came across this in another supermarket in Iceland as well.  I'm sure they sell out everyday.

Pat -- bundled up -- at the Egg Sculptures!

Now on to the Egg Sculpture -- this outdoor artwork known as "Eggin i Gleoivik"  is by Sigurour Guomundsson -- an Icelandic Visual Artist.  It was revealed 14 August 2009 and consists of 34 eggs each one representing a local bird.  The eggs are all similar in size except for the largest which represents the Red-throated Diver -- the official bird of Djupivogur.   It certainly is unusual -- and a bit quirky.

Well we have seen just about all there is to see here in Djupivogur -- so now the decision is whether to stay in town for lunch or go back to the ship.    As we make our way back to the harbor we notice an influx of people from the ship -- and an available tender back to the ship.  We take the tender --- it is better to go against the crowd in these instances.

After a nice lunch in the Lido -- I have my second Cribbage Lesson -- my lessons went to the back burner when I got sick a couple of weeks ago.  It's a good game and I am glad I'm finally learning how to play.

We have a nice quiet afternoon on board.  It is chilly here today -- in the 40's and quite windy especially at the Egg Sculptures.   Tomorrow we go to Heimaey which is an island off the southern coast of Iceland.

We'll see what we find.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat