Finally – Land Ho! Iceland was a welcome sight and the first peek was full of wonders. The mountains seemed to rise straight out of the ocean with waterfalls everywhere and nothing but GREEN. What a beautiful sight;-) 

The first look was the adorable little village of Grundarfjordur – a charming fishing town located on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It’s 900 residents were very welcoming to Oceania’s 1200 cruisers, as it is host to significant ship traffic due to its natural harbor.

Grundarfjordur is known as the town of Kirkjufell, the church mountain, referring to the majestic mountain that watches over the town. Kirkjufell is purported to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland due to the variety of views one can shoot it and the starkly different appearances depending on the light. It performed beautifully this day from many angles and varying light.

There is a wonderful little trail (about 4.5 miles round trip) that takes one out of the village, through a forested area, past a stable and many waterfalls in the mountains to the Kirkjufell Waterfall. The inlets and ponds provide excellent shots of Kirkjufell on the way.

After returning to the village there are little food trucks with delicious food for lunch. The fish and chips with chili mayo dipping sauce from Marfloin was excellent!

Follow lunch up with coffee, the best hot chocolate ever and chocolate cake at the village coffee shop, which also serves as toy shop, yarn shop, book store and internet center.

An incredible morning and first exposure to Iceland.

E & G – ready for more Iceland has to offer;-)