Bergen and the Shetland Islands
Trip Start
Sep 02, 2006
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3
Trip End
Sep 18, 2006
Bergen, Shetland Islands and Iceland, Iceland
Monday, March 19, 2007
Off that night to the Shetland Islands. There are not many permanent residents in the Islands and they are quite spread out. We went to the Bird Watcher's Islands, but didn't see many birds and they had already begun their migration south. It was a lovely, but muddy and rough, walk around the Bird Watcher's Island. While it had rained earlier and would later, we had a clear spell for our adventure. There were so many seals, both Atlantic and spotted seals. I loved watching them. There are no facilities for toilet or for water, so be prepared if you go. Wear hiking boots, not just sneakers; bring your own water. It takes about an hour and a half to walk around the island at a moderate pace. We then had a chance to explore the town. I loved it, but there is limited shopping and food stuffs. Be sure to check out the Scotch whisky. There are so many great local labels, and so little time!
Next stop, Faroe Islands. It was raining cats and dogs. The water was so rough that tours involving the Tenders were cancelled. It was interesting to see, but there is not much there.
Iceland.....Iceland was like being on another planet. The scenery was fantastic and the topography exciting. We have traveled all over the world except Antartica, and Iceland was to become one of my favorite places. Spring for a very expensive four wheel drive off road tour, it is the best 300-400$ per person you will ever spend. The weather was cool, but not rainy. Individuals from warm climates would say it was cold. It was mid-weight parka weather in mid September, 2006. The northern part is different from the middle which is different from the south. It is a land of many contrasts, all of them beautiful; many weird. Don't plan to do much tourist shopping, it is few and far between.
Greenland....what delightful people in the Inuit village we were able to visit. They have hard existances and not many frills in life. Nice place to visit, but not a place you want to stay very long.
All in all, we had a very memorable experience. Princess cruises did a wonderful job, as usual. The Ports of call on this repositioning cruise were well planned and verried. When I have seen all the rest of the world that I want to see, I certainly would take this trip again.
