Day 7, Wednesday, May 17th Norway Day and Akureyri

Norway Day

 Today is Norway's National Day and being a Norwegian boat we were decked with Norway flags and enjoyed champagne being served at breakfast!

interesting building

We arrived at the quay in 

the modern church

Akureyri fairly early and after breakfast went for a walk in this 20000 population town which is called the capital of North Iceland. The walk from the dock was not very inspiring but  we eventually found the shopping centre and some better looking buildings.  We saw the modern church but assumed 

cultural centre

that as we had booked a city tour in the afternoon we would get more details of it then.  We also found the modern cultural centre which we again assumed we would visit later.  We made our way back to the boat and had lunch.  We were excited to see a minke whale appear near our boat in the fjiord while we were eating.

We joined our organised walk at 1400 and our guide started with about 20 walkers but soon the number dropped as people struggled 

1st female voter & Chris

with the pace set and style of

arctic terns

presentation.  We were told a lot of the history of individual buildings and not much about the modern relevance of the town.  We visited the cultural centre and there was a carving  of the first lady of Iceland to have the vote.  We carried on along the fjiord hearing about history and buildings and eventually we were down to 7 walkers who were largely bored. We made our way back to the town centre and were told the church may not be open. Christine and I decided to leave the walk here and try to visit the church.  We climbed the steps but the door was locked!  We then went direct back to the boat for a rest and cup of tea.  

Farm along fjiord

We blogged and read and then it was time for dinner.  After dinner we went to the splendid observation lounge to watch the coast as

Fishing boat in fjiord

 the boat made its way out to sea.  At low level there were farms but the major industry after tourism is fishing.  We enjoyed quite a good sunset to conclude a good Norway Day.   

The good sunset