Isafjordur, Iceland (eesa-fjord-ur)

 September 11, 2024

Part Two. The ATV.

SO… we got back to shore with the kayaks at 3:35PM and we needed to meet for our next tour, right on the dock, at 4:10PM. Our gloves were wet so we were hoping to throw them in the dryer as well.

Betsy went off ahead (she walks faster than Ed) - had to fight my way around all the people with walkers and canes and walking sticks heading back to the ship - I was nice about it. Got back to the room, threw the gloves in the drier, and had to pretty much change all my clothes as it was quite warm Kayaking (until the wind picked up) and all that paddling - I was sweaty. So into new clothes - Ed arrived and did the same and off we go back to the dock for the ATV tour. Made the meeting time with 5 minutes to spare.

Again, we just had to walk a short distance to the warehouse that stores the ATVs, etc. Company was called “Safari ATV Isafjordur. We were given full suits, helmets, and gloves (good thing as our gloves didn’t get dry anyway). What do you think - CHiPs or Top Gun?

Two people per ATV - there were 8 of us plus the guide. A nice guy named, Gunnar (of course). It was decided that Ed would drive first. He gave each of us individually a quick overview of the ATV and once that was done, off we went through the town where I was brave enough to take pictures from the back of the ATV, making sure I had a good grip on the phone. Plus, being behind Ed blocked some of the wind. 

We were on a main road and even 2 small round-a-bouts for a very short period until we took a side road that would take us up and up and up and up (2400 feet), where we could look back down on the fjord, where our ship was docked, and view the fjord on the other side.

The scenery here in Iceland is breathtaking, spectacular - there are not enough words to describe the beauty. Even my pictures can’t do it justice. And it was another day of blue sky and clear views. 

As we pushed higher up the mountain the wind increased and it got quite cold. Glad we had the face shields on the helmets. The main thing that got cold were our hands and neck area. 

Having never driven one, Ed did great. It took a bit to get used to the “gas tab” - it was not a throttle - but a tab that you pushed - so touchy. And as he started to lose feeling in his thumb it became harder to judge how hard he was pushing.

We pulled over when it was time to switch them into 4x4. They ride quite well and the paths were well defined; although on the way down he took us a little more “off road” - but it was such a fun activity! So much better than kayaking. And, again, the scenery was just magnificent. 

I did not get to drive mainly because once we reached the top I would not have wanted to try it, having to go over the more ‘off road’ paths. I would needed to have practiced on the flat roads through town.  But it was fun being the passenger and enjoying the views. Should have put up my face shield for one of these pictures as it fogs up - but it was so cold with the wind, having it down protected me. We look like we are on another planet.

We had seen a small airstrip in the town - small jets fly in and out of here to Reykjavik. During the winter some 40% of these flights will be canceled due to weather. But on our way back down into town I saw a small plane heading in to land, so I was able to take pictures (yes, from the back of the ATV) as it made this big sweeping turn in the fjord as it prepared to land. Yikes!

Back to the ship by 6:30 PM and ready for hot showers. Then off to the Explorer’s Lounge (deck 7, forward) for our well-deserved drink and we got to watch us sail out of the fjord. At that point the breeze had died down and it was so peaceful and quiet to be out on that deck.

At a late dinner, we enjoyed a most magnificent sunset.

Bedtime was welcome this night - we were exhausted.

Betsy