To top it off this afternoon we squeezed in an extra stop, a zodiac cruise of the cliffs and caves o

Well, actually, sea world orlando tickets we're all planning to come back again – it's just this lovely ship that's leaving the UK for the foreseeable future. sea world orlando tickets A sunny lunchtime at the end of the Olympics seemed like an appropriate starting point, both for our trip and for the multi-year odyssey the flagship is leaving on.
A brass band saw us off at Tibury.  We settled in as we sailed out of the Thames estuary, then out to sea and northwards as the sun went down.  Whitby was our first stop – and the sunny day lit up the rugged coastline and this lovely little harbour.  The dramatic silhouette of the Abbey up on the hill even on a sunny afternoon conjured up images of Dracula.  In with the zodiacs, through the bustling, pretty town crowded up against the harbour walls.  The sunny day had brought thousands in from far and wide, Whitby really is a magnet for seasiders on a day like this.  Dozens of fish and chip shops and ice cream stalls, boat trips (several took their trips out past the Caledonian Sky anchored offshore – we became quite the celebrity ship) and fishing lines all along the harbour.
Into the harbour, a walking tour then onto a bus, up to the Abbey and the delightful St Mary's church, with it's closed pews.  Many came back into town down the 199 steps, a lovely way to see the town and the harbour.
North again, and early this morning in the fog we approached the lock at Leith Harbour.  As we came alongside the fog lifted and we could see that we were in good company – the Royal yacht Britannia across the harbour.  Before visiting we were onto the coaches and into Edinburgh for a city tour in the sun.  Through this vibrant city, a lovely combination of the history of the old buildings with the buzz of the festival.  Up onto the hill for views over the city, back down the royal mile and then back to the Britannia for a tour of the ship.
She is a truly beautiful vessel, classic, surprisingly understated beauty, with very little pomp and gilt.  The history, and the affection from the royal family, from those who served on her and from those who maintain her is obvious.  From an engineering perspective she's rather an impressive machine, too, even today.  She is a little bigger than the Cal Sky (one of a class of vessels very much influenced by the Britannia ) but has almost three times the power from her steam turbines.
An afternoon free, some chose to soak up the street performances, some a little shopping, some simply wandering this lovely city.  But onwards and upwards, this evening we continued, sea world orlando tickets ever northwards…..
Fog this morning, a bit of a shame as we'd be approaching the Orkneys.  Still, Colin was keeping us entertained, sea world orlando tickets squeezing in his 'Whales and Dolphins' talk before lunch.  Alas he was not to be allowed to finish, for 20 minutes into his talk the fog suddenly sea world orlando tickets evaporated, opening out views of the spectacular cliffs of Hoy, and the old man, suddenly bathed in sunshine.  An outside lunch on the open deck for all followed.
Stromness harbour is pretty, but soon after lunch we boarded buses to leave it.  Orkney, as our charismatic guides were keen to show us, bleeds history when you scratch it.  Over through fields of Aberdeen Angus and sheep to Skara Brae and we drifted back 5000 years, to a village peopled by farmers, gatherers, living off the land with simple sophistication.  The ring of Brodgar, the newly-excavated site at Stenness, Kirkwall and Scapa Flow, at every turn the rich, deep history came alive.
The next morning the fog did not lift, and even when we were inside the harbour at Torshavn we could barely make out the pier.  Another set of islands showing strong influences from Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia, along with a strong Danish presence in recent years, we started our look at the Faroes with the museum.  A really rather tiny population, steeped in a history of living sea world orlando tickets off these rich seas and with a culture that reflects this.  Across to the ancient hamlet of Kirkjubour, to see the St Magnus cathedral and the other old buildings, and the fog parted enough to see the basalt cliffs above, spectacular geology sixty million years old, brought to life by Chris' interpretation.
Our crossed fingers for the next morning were rewarded – not only was the fog pulled back to reveal the stunning cliffscapes of Mykines, but the swell (the island opens straight out into the Atlantic) was low enough to allow us to land.  A serious hike up to the grassy ridge and down the cliff paths to the bridge along the island, definitely some huffing and puffing, and some aching muscles and joints, but what a reward for our efforts; sea world orlando tickets thousands of puffins on the slopes, spectacular views and further along bird cliffs of fulmars, gannets and kittiwakes.
To top it off this afternoon we squeezed in an extra stop, a zodiac cruise of the cliffs and caves of Vagar.  A little misty initially, but opening out, and the geology was spectacular.  We took the zodiacs deep into the caverns, eroded by millions of years of weathering of these massive, hard cliffs.
The crossing to Iceland was better than expected – a little less wind and waves than forecast.  Into the fjord at Seydisfjordur, we could see something of the spectacle of the dramatic Iceland scenery but the fog and mist sat heavy, and didn't look like it was going anywhere.
The walkers headed out of town up to the waterfall – beautiful, but frustratingly misty, and just a bit cold and damp.  In town, the 'village people' were introduced to the gentle Iceland humour that was to be with us for our time here.  Our guide was funny and charismatic, showing us around a town slowly waking up this afternoon after a big party the night before.  There was humour, and there was pride – in the history, the self-sufficiency and the re-invigoration of this village, particularly through art.
The next morning we arrived at Hofn. Unfortunately the fog had turned to cold rain, but as we boarded coaches to drive through to the Vatnajokull glacier, the cloud and patchy light gave us some spectacular sea world orlando tickets views of the moraine hills and plains, populated by whooper sea world orlando tickets swans, waders and other bird life, as well as the tough Icelandic sheep.
Up to the melt lake with the tongue of the glacier in the background, and onto the amphibious duck boats to drive amongst the blue dozens of blue icebergs. sea world orlando tickets Across to sample the local speciality of scampi soup for lunch.  After lunch we went along the coast to a couple of 'viewpoints' – alas the rain became heavier  and the views became obliterated.  Almost on the point of giving up, the rain lessened, and the views opened out, showing us the volcanic plateau and scree slopes.  Chris talked us through the volcanic history of this remarkable young country.
We awoke the next morning surrounded by the startling Westmannen – the gnarled volcanic shapes thrust up out of the sea to the southwest of Iceland, along the axis of the mid-Atlantic ridge – the newest islands in the world.  As well as the amazing islands we had obviously arrived in an area of rich marine life – puffins, gulls and gannets were everywhere.  Into the harbour at Heimaey, whose geography was dramatically altered by the eruption of 1973 – 300 metres of volcanic cone and millions of tonnes of lava and ash reshaped the dramatically beautiful island over the course of a few days.  Our guide took us around his island, sharing his passion for his home's recent sea world orlando tickets and not so recent history, some humour and insights into this fascinating place that will stay with us a very long time.
On our way out a detour to look at the famous Surtsey – earth's newest island and a natural laboratory, forbidden to visitors.  Chris started to point out the geology as we approached but even this geology became rather quickly eclipsed.  Orcas!!  The gannets dive-bombing gave them away, and we spent a fabulous half hour watching a family group of earth's most powerful predator pushing herring to the surface sea world orlando tickets to feed.