Vestmannaeyjar on the island of Heimaey

On By DbmakesIn Iceland Sept 2025

What a beautiful place to be on this Sunday, Sept 21st for the new moon and partial solar eclipse.  I’m reading that this is a powerful time to step up and into our lives in a bigger way.  Time to get our lives on a better track and be responsible for our intentions, boundaries, and choices.

Maybe that’s why I slept for only 4.5 hours last night (besides my body being confused).  I really want to BE HERE NOW while also pondering my life’s choices. 

Last night’s clear sky would have been PERFECT for seeing the Northern Lights after our group dinner out, but it just wasn’t in the cards.  Inga, our travel leader, has turned me onto a local website that shows the aurora’s strength and probability.  I will hold the faith. 

After a very easy start to the day, we set out on foot to explore the town of Vestmannaeyjar.  The weather was kind to us; overcast but not too cold.

One of Iceland’s major fishing ports is here

Where were you on Jan 23, 1973 (my dad’s 53rd birthday)?  I was not aware but this island of 4,500 residents was devastated by a massive eruption of lava which continued for 5 months.  The lava reshaped the island and added about 15% to its land mass.   Gratefully, everyone on the island was rescued due to a terrible storm on the previous day which meant all the boats were in the harbor.

417 houses and buildings were buried
It’s called “The Pompei of the North”  
See the street sign?  There are entire streets and houses buried in the lava field
Two homes have been excavated and they’re enclosed in this museum.  That is the Eldfell Volcano in the background
Excavated home in the museum
Can you even imagine …. the eruption woke them in the middle of the night and people simply fled
This cemetery was completely buried and was excavated by a team of volunteers

It was a rather sobering experience learning about and seeing all of this. 

After lunch, I was happy to lighten my heart by gearing up for a RIB boat tour. 

That’s our boat in the foreground
My heart was lightened but my  body was not.  What a get-up!  And I didn’t even have my life vest on yet!
It was great fun.  Tour lasted an hour

Remember the house on top of the island from yesterday?   Those houses ARE privately  owned and are the epitome of a man cave.  These guys climb to the house by ropes and/or haul supplies by crane. 

AND they put their sheep on the island to help control the grass.
And TODAY, we watched them start to bring the sheep down before the weather turns bad.  We had perfect timing for this annual task.
The whole thing seemed impossible to me.

Before returning to the harbor, we enjoyed this special moment in a cave ….

Quite fitting for the new moon of today

We returned to our guest house and had a short respite before walking to a local’s home for a delightful evening.  Helga and Arnor were witnesses to the 1973 eruption and told the story from their unique perspective. 

I love this clock and their altar  to the life-changing eruption

Arnor is a baker by trade and an EXCELLENT chef.  Not only did they make us a delicious ling cod dinner, but they also entertained us.

And if thats not enough talent, Arnor is an artist!

I bought this image as my souvenir for the evening.  It’s entitled “Hippies are cool”.  I love our guide, Inga. 

You know I was disappointed yet sure that I would see a puffin while on these islands.  I should have been a little more specific as Inga DID find a puffin for me ….

This was my straggler, albeit passed on. 
Just another reminder of the impermanence of life. 

It’s midnight …. good night. 

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