Up at 8:00am for breakfast. Driving by 9:15am along the dirt one way road to Látrabjarg cliffs. The Westfjords are so pretty. The drive along the coast was magnificent. We saw aquaculture fishing farms in the water, but we were not sure if they are for exporting fish or if there are not enough fish to meet demands in Iceland. We also passed by a steel boat made in Norway in 1912 sitting right on the coast. With the crystal blue water behind it, the scene looked like something from a idealistic painting. We got to the cliffs a little after 11:00am. Due to the erosion of the cliffs and possible wind, we were advised by the guy failing of a cliff sign to lay down when looking over the cliffs. The wind was minimal, but still quite chilly. We layered up with rain pants and rain jackets to keep warm. This is the most western part of Europe, and the largest bird cliff in Iceland. It is 14 kilometers long! You could see the cross sections of lava layers created over 13 million years ago making it the "oldest geological strata in Iceland" (info sign). Tons of birds rested in the cliffs. I bird watched through my binoculars mesmerized by the beauty of the birds, clear water, and huge cliffs. Hiding in cliffs nearby were a few puffins! Yes, we finally saw them. I laid down to watch them turn their head and flap their wings. They are beautiful. Their orange beaks have so many different shades. I also sat by the cliffs, and sketched the huge cliff out in the distance. I just wanted to sit there forever gazing at every inch of the landscape. Eventually we all came together and headed down back to the bus because our stomachs growled calling us to food.
The drive back again took my breath away. It is crazy to think how such an explosive volcanic eruption could create something so beautiful. We arrived in a small town where Thor convinced the Heímsendi Bistro to open early for us to eat a late late lunch. Most of us ordered Halibut because they just caught it fresh yesterday. You could hear the chef sharpening his knife ready to prepare our meal. They even went grocery shopping right before just for us. The presentation was beautiful, and the wait worth it. We walked along the coast before heading back to the hostel for a little time to relax.
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