Donna and I took the free city bus up to the Salvation Army/Red Cross shop, which we had seen from the bus yesterday. We then took a shore excursion to Godafoss (of the gods) waterfall and the Botanical Gardens. Stunning waterfalls and river, and just a stellar day to be there. Fresh, crisp air and sunny. Our ship will be crossing the Arctic Circle at midnight and the captain is going to blow the ship's horn. We were going to get up around 130am to see if we...

August 28 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND: krona to USD rate is .0096 We took the city bus on/off tour for 8000 kroner (about 36 USD each) 54 centigrade temperature. Overcast and slightly drizzly. Later today Donna and I are taking a panoramic Reykjavík tour. Reykjavik means "Smoky Bay" and is the northernmost capitol city in the world. There is a beautiful Opera house-center of town. 95% heated with of the city is heated with hot water from the springs. House o...

August 28 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND: krona to USD .0096 City bus on/off tour-8000 kroner (about 36 USD each) 54 centigrade Later today Donna and I are taking a panoramic Reykjavík tour. Reykjavik means "Smoky Bay" and is the northernmost capitol city in the world. There is a beautiful Opera house-center of town. 95% heated with of the city is heated with hot water from the springs. House of meeting of Reagan and Gorbachev 1986- said to be haunted. Most tr...

Today we took a shore excursion to Cawdor Castle and Gardens. It is was built in the early 1600s and remains in the same family. A family member still winters there and opens the castle to tourists during the summer to help pay for the upkeep. The gardens were stunning. There was a very nice cafe in the castle where I had a fantastic paninni sandwich with Scottish ham, brie, and cramberries. I bought a Scottish Thistle pin, which was the only thing I wanted f...

At second port in Norway today. August 25 -STAVANGER, NORWAY: Today we are going on a shore excursion "Highlights of Stavanger". It is the 4th largest city in Norway. Founded in 1125 when Stavanger cathedral was built. It is the Oil capitol of Norway. 1809 fish (herring) influx to fjords created population boom. Recession in 1825 when herring disappeared caused mass migration to U.S. Community turned to sprat (sardines) fishing and canning. Three Swords in t...