The Blue Lagoon wasn’t exactly as I had imagined. I’d always assumed that they were natural hot springs, but the lagoon’s mineral rich waters are actually heated to 38⁰C by the adjacent geothermal power plant. Regardless, it was the most relaxing afternoon possible. As part of the ship’s excursion package we were issued with electronic bracelets on arrival which were used for a locker, shower, robe, slippers, a drink at the swim up bar and two masks from the swim up spa. Yes, a swim up spa. It all felt pretty decadent and I chose the silica mask and then an algae mask. Our local guide Erika had promised the…

Our morning started when we entered the waters of Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) and watched as its stunning, lush, green islands came into view. Within an hour, we were anchored offshore from Heimaey, the only inhabited island, and I was watching a whale playing near the ship. Absolutely amazing. The ship was too large to enter the harbour, so instead we took one of tenders into the marina. Our tour leader, a lovely man with an unpronounceable name who usually works at the library, led us on a steep walk from the harbour up to the Elheimar Volcano Museum where we spent around an hour. The island’s volcano had been…

Feeling only slightly jet-lagged after a great night’s sleep on a mattress that could be mistaken for a cloud, it was time to head out for our highlights of the Faroe Island tour. We travelled to the southwest corner of Stremoy to visit Kirkjubour, its 12th century Magnus Cathedral, Saint Olav’s Church and the Kirkjubøargarður  farmhouse. We had a Vicar of Dibley moment when the priest rushed past us waving to start his televised service, wearing his cassock and a ruffled collar that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the 1600s. It was then on to the villages of Saksun and Gjógv and a traditional Faroese lunch of of salmon,…