This excursion has a similar route to the Breitfjordur boat trip that we had done before, but it seemed there would be enough different, and the trip through the lava field is always interesting.  Our Australian table companions did the Breitfjordur boat trip, which is always better if the sun is shining, however there is no way to know what the weather might be like when you boook, even a forecast the day before is not entirely reliable in Iceland.

The museum is typical of the Icelandic museums, not very big, but with a variety of interesting exhibits.  We had a video with a commentary by the grandson of the original shark farmer.  They no longer fish for the sharks but get them from other fishermen as incidental catches.  Shark is no longer part of the standard diet, but is still served on festive days and to toursists.  He explained the curing/fermenting process, necessary as the shark has tiny kidneys and the meat is poisonous when fresh.  After 6 weeks, it is hung up to dry.  It is traditionsl to eat Shark meat once a year on the festival to mark the passing of winter and is always followed by the Icelandic schnaps, Brennivín.  Our guide tried to put us off by describing the shark as basically rotten fish.  She succeded with some, myself included.  Many did try it though, and Carol reported that it wasn't that bad, a bit chewy.

We retraced our steps to the main road with a brief photo stop in the lava field just before re-joining the main road on our way to the Holy Mountain.  The driver missed the turn, so we went on to the town and stopped on the way back.  We had a short stop in the town, about 30 mins, and 45 minutes at the Holy Hill.  Those that wanted to, could climb it, and if following a ritual could make three wishes at the top, (one being to get down safely).

The main part of this excursion is the Shark Museum and tasting, the other two are fillers.  The schnaps, we have had before, is delicious, but strong.  It was given the name Black Death to try to discourage yougsters getting hooked on it.