Isafjordur, Iceland

 After the night with no sunset/sunrise, we arrived in Isafjordur (Ees-a-fyor-dur).  The weather isn't the best, cold and a bit rainy.  

Notice there is no time for sunrise or sunset

It's a dramatic sail up the fjord to get here.

One thing I love about travel is when you go to a place with not many expectations, and then find yourself totally entranced.  That's how I felt about Skagway, Alaska and the Falklands.  And now Isafjordur.  A lot of that has to do with the tour and guide, of course.  

As we sailed in, we watched a commercial plane come in for a landing.  It hugged the mountains across the fjord then turned at the end of the fjord and landed on a runway tucked between the mountain and the water.  Very cool to watch.  We learned that there are generally only 2 flights in and out per day to Reykjavik.  And they can't fly if it is dark, cloudy or snowy/icy.  So that really limits them to summer months mostly. 

There are about 3,000 people who live here full-time.  Our guide, Harpa, is a math teacher for students ages 13-16.  All the students go outside 3 times a day for recess no matter the weather.  And it is mandatory to learn to swim so they take a lesson once a week for the ten years of required schooling.  The pool is across the road from the school.  Between mid-October and January 25 the sun never gets above the mountains.  They have a big party on January 25 when the sun hits Sunshine Street for the first time - for a total of 7 minutes.  The source of local news - like a closed road due to an avalanche or ice - is the town's Facebook page.  There used to be a local radio station, but it died once Facebook came along.  Most houses are clad on the outside with corrugated metal because it lasts so long in this weather and doesn't need maintenance.  She just recently redid her house after 60 years, but her 85-year-old neighbor only does his when the old stuff falls off.  Gas is about $12 per gallon.  There are hybrid cars, but few electric cars since the closest charging station outside of town is about 400 km away.  There are plans for another about 240 km from here.  They don't have a geothermal heating system here like Akureyri but rely on hydroelectric.  However, as the power lines go a long distance over the mountains, it is prone to going out over the winter so they have a backup oil-driven system for the town.  Fishing is the main industry.  For tourism they have about 100-150 cruise ships call here every summer.  There is a business here, Kerecis, that uses cod fish skin for treating human wounds in collaboration with Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York and the US Military.

Many homes are from the mid 19th century, but updated

Harpa's neighbor who only replaces the siding when absolutely necessary

The original hospital, which had no elevator.  It was converted to a library when they built a new one across the street (with an elevator).  A memorial to lost fishermen is out front.

You can see an avalanche fence going up the hill.

The center of town

Since it was a bit cold and wet, we returned to the warm ship for lunch and a quiet afternoon.  We came in third in trivia.  That may have been the last time with this team as they are all getting off in 2 days in Reykjavik.  After a before-dinner cocktail and visiting with Patty and Gordon, we ate at Prime 7.  It was supposed to be a sharing table, but the other couple canceled.  The seas are a bit rough again.  Instead of going to the show, I decided to take a nice bath.  It's very soothing to soak in a hot bath while the ship is rocking,  Had to get out before I fell asleep.

The Captain said the other night that there are 110 of us on the Grand Voyage and just under 400 passengers on board.  That will go up to 420 when we leave Reykjavik.