It turned out that I did nothing else on Day 6 in Haemaey. I got back to the boat and found out the tour had been cancelled because of the weather. It was raining and pretty stormy. So I just relaxed on the boat and actually watched a film about the volcano in Haemaey. There was a huge one in 1973 that wiped out 1/2 the island. All of the residents were evacuated and many did not return. The ash and volcanic fires destroyed more homes and vehicles in the weeks following the eruption. It was a really horrible experience for many people but something that the Icelandic people have to always be aware of and accepting of as they get an average of one volcanic eruption every 3 years. The last year or so has been really remarkable as there have been a lot more than usual.
Today was Day 7 and we were docked just south of Reyjavik at the same dock we boarded. I signed up for the "Golden Circle" tour which is apparently the most popular tour out of Reyjavik. We left around 9 and got home at 4:30. We visited 2 fabulous waterfalls and a geyser area with one geyser that spouts about every 5 minutes. We also visited the site of Thingvellir which is where Iceland's first legislature met in 960 and I guess the world's oldest used to meet. It is a lovely place and is close to where the Eurasia and North American teutonic plates meet.
We also visited the Pearl which is this big attraction close to Reyjavik. You can go on top of it and view the whole of Reyjavik.
I finally heard from the tour agency and I guess I am going to be meeting some relatives tomorrow. They cannot take me to the site of my ancestors because I guess that is out of town. But they contacted Thruda (I did not give them her name) and she called a few people that I am meeting with. One is Asta whom I have never heard of but I guess lived in "America" (?) for some time. I will write more about this tomorrow. Tonight is the Captain's farewell dinner as this is our last night on the cruise. I am staying one more night in Reyjavik at a hotel.
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