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Iceland

Snow almost down to the highway in late June.

Arnarstapi lava field

We were encircled several times by the Arctic Terns.

Arctic Terns are fascinating birds. The individuals that nest here have the second-longest migration route of any animal in the world, travelling up to 49,700 miles every year on a round trip from Iceland to Antarctica. They are beaten only by their counterparts that nest in the Netherlands, whose route covers around 55,900 miles..

Arnarstapi or Stapi is a small fishing village at the foot of Mt. Stapafell between Hellnar village and Breidavik farms on the southern side of Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arnarstapi was an important trading post in the past and had a much bigger population than it has now.

Today Arnarstapi is still a somewhat busy harbor during summer, with private fishing and recreational vessels filling the docks.

We visit a shark farm.

The Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn farm on the northern side of Snaefellsnes peninsula is where visitors can get a down-home taste of ‘real’ Iceland by meeting with the friendly curator and owner who reveals fascinating details about the local Greenland shark from which traditional ‘hakarl’ is made.

Hakarl, a national delicacy made from aged shark meat and served with a potato liquor called brennivin. Two members of our group try it. I did. It was not bad at all.

A walk around the Shark Musem a Bjarnarhofn.

I dare you to try and pronounce it.

The Black-legged Kittiwake typically nests on cliff ledges, but will occasionally nest on buildings and shipwrecks.

We had the opportunity to take an optional tour exploring Breidarfjorddur, an enormous bay.

The bay stretches between the Vestfords and the Snaefellsness peninsula. The bay's width and rocky islands have made it an ideal nesting site for many bird species.

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