There was still one last included Tauck Tour in addition to the Golden Circle and visit to Fridheimer Farm, to the Geothermal Energy Exhibition at Hellisheioi Power Plant.
The Geothermal Energy Exhibition at Hellisheioi Power Plant, 20 minutes outside of Reykjavik, is a state-of-the-art look into harnessing of geothermal energy in Iceland and like every other new building in Iceland, has cutting-edge architecture. Owned by Reykjavík Energy, experienced guides give an informative presentation before tourists walk through multimedia shows about sustainable green energy as a global energy resource.
Click here to view the embedded video.
L’Austral gangway at port in Iceland
We browsed the handicrafts before leaving for Hafnarfjorour Port to finally weigh anchor and set sail on a partial circumnavigation around Iceland. It was now 5:30p and everyone had been on the go since breakfast at 6:30a. L’Austral slowly moved away from the dock and the hectic day continued with a Mandatory Life Boat Drill in La Compagnie Theater followed by the Captain’s Welcome Party followed by the Captain’s Welcome Dinner in the main restaurant at 8:00p. No wonder neither of us could stay awake for nightly entertainment that usually began at 10:00p.
sailing from Hafnarfjorour Port, Iceland
church along Iceland’s coast
I personally didn’t think the Welcome Dinner was anything special and the main dining room was so noisy, it was impossible to hear your dinner companions. The welcome dinner menu was: tiny mussels in a warm soup and served in a shot glass; filet of salmon; Chateaubriand (a roast beef tenderloin) accompanied by “something green” and potatoes; a dessert. I also flummoxed the waiter when I asked if I could order an additional appetizer/starter not part of the set menu, an asparagus and pea puree.
dinner table in Restaurant Le Coromandel, L’Austral Cruise Ship
dessert, Restaurant Le Coromondel, L’Austral Cruise Ship
Chateaubriand for dinner in Restaurant Le Coromondel, L’Austral Cruise Ship
TIP: Veteran cruisers know to order many items, eat the best, leave the rest and waitstaff should know this, as now so do you. Two entrees? Bring it on…
Portions were small and this was the only time we ate dinner in the main restaurant. The Buffet Restaurant on Deck 6 had an unlimited variety of food for lunch and dinner.
L’Austral navigation map
The first port of call on this partial circumnavigation would be the Westmann Islands…