Day Eleven

Just when we thought we would be able to get off the ship, we were wrong yet again. The ice conditions in Greenland were so severe that it was made clear that any visit to Greenland would just be simply impossible. So the expedition leaders and the captain decided that it would just be better to go straight to Iceland and see if there was a possible landing at Grimsey, an island located on the edge of the Arctic circle.

We couldn’t be happier to hear that we might possibly get the chance to get off the ship. We were prepared well in advance of our landing time. The minute we got onto the zodiacs the fresh air took us back. Putting our feet onto the ground for the first time in four days was such a relieving feeling. Our feet finally got the sense of stability, a sense that there was actually ground supporting us beneath our feet.

After getting over the fact that we were on ground, we were absolutely taken a back by the pure lusciousness of the green grass ahead of us. All that was seen ahead of us was green for miles and miles, which was shocking for such a frigid environment. We followed this yellow rectangular sign that read “Arctic circle Heimskautsbaugur,” to none other than the Arctic circle.

Reading that sign in the cool breeze that we had been lacking for the past couple of days was an unreal moment. Cruising the Arctic is a surreal experience in itself, but to actually have that experience solidified with something as tangible as reading a sign that implies that the Arctic Circle is just a couple of meters ahead is a crazy feeling to say the least.

And there it was – a large pole in the middle of a circular stone that had directions to major cities across the world like New York and Tokyo.

We all stood by it, took pictures, and simply took in the fact that we were standing on top of the world.

As we continued walking through the island, we were met with huge cliffs that overlooked clear bluish grey waters. They looked as if they had been taken out of the most perfect of perfect movie scenes or laptop wallpapers. It was a sight that really could not be captured with a camera. It was a once in a lifetime view that I surely know will never be replicated.

To add to the perfect landscape were thousands and thousands of puffins, birds that look like the cutest fake bird stuffed animal for a little toddler. And just when we thought the scenery could not get any better, we took a long walk around the island where we were met with dozens of sheep and horses which perfectly complimented the beautiful green landscape and cool breeze ahead of us.

Our stay at Grimsey was way too short because before we knew it we were back on the ship in the middle of the deep blue ocean heading our way to Iceland.