Day 5

Look at the cost of a dessert!
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Had a somewhat relaxing day today.

Took a FREE walking tour around the centre of the city for about 2 hours. We didn't actually walk too far, but got some interesting information about the city, it's people and it's culture. I was amazed that almost everybody's ancestory is known and recorded back as far as the original settlers. It was also interesting to hear about the geneology of Icelanders... the male line is predominantly linked to Denmark (the good old Vikings) and the female line is linked to Ireland! Our guide reckoned, in true romantic fashion, that the Vikings which had arrived to Ireland, fell in love with the Irish cailins (girls) and they decided to settle on this amazing island to the north!!! (Perhaps he was just charming us Irish so as to get a decent tip!!) It was also nice to hear that the Icelandic language remains unchanged from it's origins... the earliest written documents can be as easily read by Icelanders as a book published today. I think the language is fascinating and would dearly like to learn more than the few basic phrases I picked up.

Spot the whales

Tjornin lake
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On that note I must admit that the vast majority of Irish, and indeed English people should really be ashamed when it comes to other languages. Too often we 'expect' people to speak to us in English and make no effort to attempt their language. I hate that! BUT, hats off to all the people I've met and dealt with on my travels - your ability to switch over and converse in English truly amazes me. It was most evident to me after our walking tour, when we stopped for a bite to eat on one of the local squares where a group of young boys (aged 8-14) were skateboarding and hanging out. They would be talking together and without any hestiation, they would switch to English and hold a perfectly fluent conversation with us. I'd love to see Irish kids try that in reverse!!!!

Skateboarders
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Anyhow, back to the days activities...

After lunch, we headed for the docks and took a Whale-watching tour which went out into Faxafloi Bay. Now, I've done a few whale-watching trips before, so I knew what signs I was looking for. Not long into our trip, we encountered some dolphins and got some great views of the puffins (Boy, do they flap their wings!). Then, the smell came...stinking! There is nothing worse than the smell of whale breath- you'd think there was something dead and rotten around. Anyhow, we were blessed to see a pair of Minkes, which is quite unusual, as they tend to be solitary more often than not. On our return journey, things seemed to be quiet, the whales were nowhere to be found when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a whale breach the water. I couldn't believe it as no one around me saw it. THEN, amazingly, it breached a further 4 times!!! Funny thing was, the guide didn't spot it at all, so the majority of the people on the boat, didn't see it either. I think I should become a whale watcher, I'd be good at it!!!

A Puffin
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Anyhow, after being at sea for a few hours, we returned home, cooked up a nice meal for ourselves and settled in for a night of movies, compliments of the owners of Apartment K.

AND you won't believe this, but I actually got a bit of sunburn!! SUNBURN IN ICELAND :o)