Reykjavik, Iceland
Sunday, 7/16/23
Latitude: 64.15° Longitude: -21.86°
Seabourn Venture arrived early in Reykjavik this morning. It was cloudy, but there was still nice weather to welcome the ship; no rain or strong winds.
Unfortunately, today marked the end of the voyage, with most of us disembarking the ship. They planned to either stay for a few days in the capital of Iceland or else fly home directly. I chose to fly home directly.
Seabourn Venture had just finished a circumnavigation of Iceland and a voyage across the Denmark Strait to East Greenland. Iceland and Greenland are unique countries to visit, with remarkable cultures and the remains of ancient Norse settlements. These countries have beautiful, colorful landscapes with glaciers, fjords, and gorgeous waterfalls.
I was allowed to offload early as my flight was a tight connection.
The Volcano at Litli Hrútur, Iceland
Days before its eruption the scientists onboard the Seabourn Venture showed us the seismic actiity and prdicted that a volcano was forthcoming.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said the “minor” eruption of a volcano began Monday in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula but no ash has been emitted and so far no disruption has been reported at the country’s Keflavik Airport.
The IMO said there was a 200-meter (656 feet) long fissure on the slopes of the Litli Hrútur mountain, “from which lava is emerging as a series of fountains.” Photos show streams of lava flowing along the dark fields, with small fires in the distance and thick smoke billowing in the air.
Since the eruption took place in an uninhabited area, there were no “immediate risks” to communities or infrastructure, the IMO said – but it warned people not to venture near the area, saying there will be an accumulation of “dangerously high levels of volcanic gases.”
The LONG, Ridiculous Flight Home
Sunday & Monday, 7/16 & 17/23
The plan - depart Iceland 11am Sunday, arrive home 9:30pm Sunday due to time zone changes.
Delta's execution, on time departure, 12 hours late including an overnight in the Atlanta airport.
The flight from Iceland to JFK was wonderful. No problems at all, on time departure and arrival.
The problems began at JFK. The first officer lived in Florida and had to fly in to make this flight. He was delayed by weather. Two hour delay ate into my 2.5 hour layover in Atlanta, but it was still doable. I boarded and found an out- of order sign on my seat. (The seat would not recline, which would not have bothered me on the short flight to Atlanta, but no, it's illegal to sit in a non-reclining seat. Wonder which FAR is that one!) I was already aggravated plenty but then I had to argue about flying to Atlanta on this flight. With Diamond privileges and Fist Class ticket, I finally prevailed.
We landed Atlanta with 20 minutes for my connection. They knew I was coming. I'm Diamond First Class so I shouldn't worry, right? Wrong! I arrived at the gate two minutes early, and although the airplane door was still open, the gate door was closed and I was not allowed on. So now I'm furious.
To add insult to injury, Delta denied me a hotel room saying the flight was ATC delayed (which it was not, it was weather) and I spent the night at a gate on a bench in Atlanta terminal. So what's the point of being loyal to an airline when they treat you this way?
I made it home Monday morning, picked up my dog, Kali, and slept for most of the rest of the day, tired and exhausted.
It was a wonderful trip, a dream of a lifetime. It's a shame Delta had to end it so poorly for me. Shame on you, Delta Airlines!