The ironman of travel Yoshimasa Ikeuchi

Heimaey Island　

 Westman Islands 4200

Crashing waves

Puffins and volcanoes. The southern Island of Iceland is a paradise for wild birds. The 1973 volcanic eruption caused lava to flow into the harbor and witness its awesomeness. The Island that keeps people away is a sanctuary for birds. Bird watching from the sea on a boat tour. I can meet my favorite puffin.

 Islands created in order by volcanoes

Lava flowing to the side of the town

Shige and Kotetsu looking into the crater

Mortar-shaped crater

Video of a volcanic eruption 36 years ago

Puffin

Boat around the Island, captain and me

However, the house that is still sleeping under the lava. It is not very suitable for nature. Humans living with nature are also wonderful. Mr. and Mrs. Hayashi (Kobe) were also impressed by the fact that when they talked about the collapse of their houses due to the earthquake and many people died, they quietly prayed for a cross on their chests with sad faces.

The harbor is saved on the verge

The lava plateau that remains on the east side of the Island. Feel the awesomeness of the explosion just 36 years ago. Dark earth, reddish brown crater. A house crushed by lava. You can see that a new Island was born by the volcano. Information center that shows the pattern at that time on video. Miraculously, there was no casualty, and the beautiful old townscape is now being rebuilt.

After lunch, take a nap on the lawn in the square. Spend almost an hour comfortably. Under the blue sky, my sister stretches out her limbs and recovers. This time from land to puffin watching. The puffin flying in front of me is out of focus. The shot I finally got wasn't satisfactory either.

The sound of the owner's tenor saxophone blowing in the cave echoes on the rock wall and heals the traveler. My sister "Shigeko", who is weak on the ship, has a bad complexion. I'm worried when a lively person becomes silent. In exchange for that, I was surprised at the transformation of Kotetsu (my wife), and the seasickness that was so weak disappeared. Familiarity is scary.

I could easily meet murres and northern fulmars, but I couldn't see puffin in the middle. Child-rearing ends in the latter half of July, so the number of child-rearing homecomings is decreasing. You can enjoy a boat tour of the island for 1 week (2 hours, 3700 yen).

Captain's tenor saxophone blowing in the cave

Elephant

Puffin