Days at Sea–Legend of the Seas–9/7–9/23, 2014

We had 8 scheduled days at sea, but because our call at St. Johns, Newfoundland was cancelled due to high winds, we had one additional sea day: a total of 9.  Except for one day at the end of the cruise, our sea days were marvelous.   Seas were uncharacteristically calm for this part of the world.  We travelled from the North Sea to the North Atlantic and although temperatures were brisk, we were able to spend time outside on the decks most days.  A good number of European passengers would spend time swimming in the outdoor pool and sunning themselves.  Every day there was a themed luncheon at the pool…..barbecue, tapa’s, Mongolian grill.   We met a very nice couple when we were on a harbor cruise in Hamburg, who we enjoyed getting together with for drinks and dinner regularly.  Norma and Dave from Texas had similar interests as us and we really enjoyed each other’s company.   On the 2nd night of the cruise, we scheduled dinner at the Chef’s Table.   We did this once before on another ship and absolutely loved it.

Here we are, Norma, Dave, Kos and I in our usual 5:00 PM position in the lounge!   We had such a great time with this couple. 

Something very different about this cruise was that we were in contact with a very organized cruise critic group.  Prior to cruising, many of the ladies agreed to teach various crafts, and meet on sea days in the Solarium in the morning.  It was so much fun to learn some new skills plus spend our mornings chatting and doing our crafts.   I taught a group to do the ruffled Starbella scarves, several other women taught knitting, crochet beading, and quilting.  Since we had so many sea days, it was a nice way to spend our mornings.

I took part in the slot tournament and qualified for the final round.  Although I didn’t win, there was a glitch in the computer which wouldn’t allow me to play my chosen machine (#7), which came in 2nd place ($500).   I politely expressed my disappointment to the casino manager and we settled for $250 cash and my Chops and Izumi restaurant charges wiped off my bill. 

The evening of the last sea day, we experienced very high winds and seas.  The Captain reported that we had 65 mile an hour winds and 38 foot seas.   One of the officers told us that we also were hit with a 55 foot rogue wave, which explains the loud “bang” that scared the bejesus out of me!    During the day, the seas settled down somewhat and we were able to enjoy the last sea day before arriving in Bayonne the following morning.  

Some final thoughts about this cruise:

Kristiansand, Norway was a wonderful walking city.  No tour is necessary and the TI has good and fast Wifi.

The crafter group was great through Cruise Critic.

Free walking tours are fantastic.  Usually run by college students who work for tips only, and very motivated to offer a good tour.

In Iceland, you can pick up any tour you want from the cruise terminal.  No need to book in advance.

Bring a store credit card to use to lock the safe.  

It would be nice to have a decoration for cabin door. 

Reykjavik, Iceland - September 15 - 16, 2014

Europe's northernmost and westernmost capital is a delightful destination, part old Norse, part modern city, with a quirky personality of its own. The puffin, troll and elf souvenirs found in all the gift stores are an apt mascot for a city with a decidedly playful streak.
More than half of Iceland's population lives there (or nearby), in one of the world's smallest capital cities -- some 190,000 people. Cruise ships increasingly are paying calls on Reykjavik from late May to early October, especially during the summer months, when the daylight literally lasts 'round the clock. Visitors and residents alike seem to stay awake, golfing, strolling the compact town's picturesque streets, drinking Gull beer at sidewalk cafes and cycling along the new seafront promenade.
Many believe that Reykjavik's character is more defined in winter, when daunting weather and 20-hour nights are defied by rollicking pubs and a sense of humor. But, locals laugh at the climate, whether calm or tempestuous. They keep warm in the iconic handsome sweaters for which Iceland is best known; the long hours indoors and out inspire artisans, evidenced by many shops that display lovely local art and clothing.
This is a city that has learned to make the best of things. The Iceland landscape is bare and covered with volcanic rock. With no trees for building houses, 18th-century settlers used driftwood that floated in from the sea, covering the wood in sheets of corrugated tin and painting walls and roofs in vivid colors to brighten the scene. The rock that abounds was turned into material for a fine stone parliament building, erected in 1881. Citizens have planted and nurtured welcome oases of green. The geothermal springs that bubble underground have been put to work to provide hot water for residents.
Iceland -- which, like many other countries, is still reeling after a serious recession, caused by the financial bubbles of the 21st century's first decade -- still has seen much advancement in the past few years. Progress is plain to see in the sleek, contemporary buildings that are changing the cityscape. Several worthwhile museums salute local history and art, and whimsical street murals dot the city center. With fishing as the predominant occupation, restaurants serve up delectable seafood, and gourmet dining of all kinds is plentiful and popular. (One local told me that, because Iceland has no traditional food culture, its young chefs feel far more free to create innovative dishes with a trend toward local products that range from blueberries to lamb.)
But, if you ask natives for their favorite eating place, the answer most often will be a simple hot dog stand near the harbor.

 

Of course, we had to sample the "lamb hot dogs". So good! Planning to go back for more!
Reykjavik is a clean and safe city, compact and easy to navigate on foot. As charming as it is, no visit to Iceland is complete without getting out into the vast interior, which lies at the city's doorstep.
A small group of 8 of the cruise critics planned to take The Golden Circle tour. This classic excursion encompassed the "Big Three": Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot spring area and the National Park Thingvellir which ranks at the top of Iceland's attractions. Gullfoss, the "Go9lden Waterfall is the most famous of the country's many waterfalls. The river Hvita "The White River" drops 96 feet in two fallls, creating an awesome spectacle.

The next stop was the Geyser area where we were able to see the hissing springs and other geothermal phenomena. It was comical to see the tourists, camera's in hand, waiting for the Geyser to arrive which was every 4-6 minutes.

After a nice (and expensive) lunch, we all piled into the van and headed to the National Park, Thingvellir. This was the highlight of our day!

When the first Nordic settler washed up on the Icelandic shores, he named his new home Reykjavik, or "smoky bay". It must have been a stunning sight to see all that steam rising from the geothermal springs. Still is. We were warned not to touch the steaming water as it is extremely hot and will cause burns.
This was an all day tour and we're so happy we did it. No time to go to the Blue Lagoon, which is another famous attraction here, but we'll keep that on our list if we should every come back to Iceland.

Our second day in Iceland was a short one.   Since we only had the morning, we didn't have enough time to go to the Blue Lagoon, so we took a long walk along the waterfront and took some photo's.  We hoped to walk into town and have another lamb hot dog, but it was a bit too far to go and get back to the ship on time.  The weather was much better on day #2 in Iceland.  Temperatures in the high 50's, low 60's.  Not too cold, not to warm.  Great for walking and touring.  

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Lerwick (Shetland) Scotland - September 12, 2014

Today we arrived bright and early to the island of Shetland, Scotland. Here the streets are named after Viking warlords, the houses have a Scandinavian air and the people speak differently then they do on the mainland. The dialect has both Nordic and Scottish roots and I'm quite sure we won't be able to understand a word of it! Before it was the 19th century herring capital of the north, Lerwick served as a 17th century trading post. Here, as in many of our other ports, there is an "old town" along the waterfront and a Victorian-style "new town". Shetland is home to tens of thousands of birds - gannets, puffins, razorbills and more. We will be taking a tour to a settlement that goes back to the Stone Age where we'll see the traditions of Shetland weaving and see the island's namesake shaggy-coated ponies. We'll visit Jarlshof, a remarkable 4,000 year sequence of layered settlements that includes a Norse longhouse and a 16th century "laird's house".

The Jrlshof ruins pictured above go back 6000 years from the stone, bronze and iron ages.
It was interesting to see how each home was laid out with a fire pit central to the other very tiny rooms.

Of couse the highlight of the tour for me was the Shetland Ponies.

At one point, our bus had to stop so a plane could cross the road!

The seas have been unbelievably calm. We were prepared for some rough seas, but except for our first day at sea, it has been like a lake.

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