After an indulgent cruise overseas it was extremely difficult to return to the hot and humid tropics after enjoying cooler climes.
The first longer ship board travel in my lifetime apart from several ferry crossings of various lengths across some of the worlds waterways .I must admit it proved far more favorable than I first imagined and I can confidently say worthy of repeat albeit with some changes learned from the practical experience of this trip
Several highlights of note all underpinned by the fact that this little country had welcomed us over thirty years ago on a driving tour
How things have changed with the exception of course of the sheer beauty of the countryside which remains a joy to behold
In our earlier visit we had not visited the Fiord land and this was to be a highlight for me especially as we were unable to access this area all those years ago
Our ship departed the southernmost port to the sound of a Scottish band playing “Will ye no come back again” Slowly we made our way down to the open sea passing by a rocky headland on which was a superb colony of Royal Albatross many of whom watched the great ship glide by while a couple soared around the stern
The next morning we arose to a grey sea and a grey mist as we approached our destination for entry to the Fiords but as we approached a sea fog of some intensity settled around the ship Unable to see forwards the ships foghorn was sounded in all its mournful note The sea was calm –the passengers less than happy with the possibility of not seeing what many had traveled so far to see The Ships Captain announced comments that we may not be able to enter the fiord and it was at that time I experienced what I can only describe as a Coleridge moment
The sea calm, the ship surrounded by fog and an eerie silence over passengers
“Did you shoot an Albatross by any chance?” I asked of a member of the Iphone Generation who stood next to me His look was priceless and he stumbled off muttering no doubt suffering a lack of satellite signal to enable texting friends or seeking Google explanation of my inquiry
“He went like one who hath been stunned and is a sense forlorn”
However it appears that someone shipboard had connections in high places and the fog mysteriously cleared allowing for our entry to the Sound And what an experience that proved to be ! The sheer majesty of the mountains .hanging waterfalls and glaciated valleys A sight to behold and also one I found to be quite humbling
The journey was time well spent
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