Explore Heimaey - Eldheimar Museum - Dinner wirh local entertainment

Another beautiful, brisk day on Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands. Most of Heimaey's 4,400 residents depend on the sea… and never was that more true than in 1973, when the island was devastated by massive eruptions of lava that sprayed into the air through fissures in the ground. Amazingly, the entire fishing fleet was in harbor, and everyone was rescued. Eruptions continued for five months, reshaping the island, adding about 20 percent to its territory and creating Eldfell, a volcanic cone. The island's major town, Vestmannaeyjar, had since been rebuilt. Today it is one of Iceland's major fishing ports.

We visited the Eldheimar Museum, which is centered around an excavated home buried by the ash of the 1973 eruption. We also visited a cemetery that had been totally covered by ash… and then excavated by locals and other volunteers. There is evidence of the eruption and the town's resurgence throughout.

Puffins. I had brought along my 400 lens for a chance to photograph the largest Atlantic puffin population in the world. After a brisk and windy hike past a lighthouse to some cliff overlooks… I was not disappointed.

In the early evening, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner hosted by a local resident couple, Helga and Arnor. They told us of their experience on that fateful day in 1973 as teenagers, as well as providing some quality entertainment. Helga sang and played a percussion instrument; Arnor sang and played the guitar. Interesting day in Iceland.

Quick Photo Links: Eldfell volcanic eruption of 1973 | Atlantic Puffins