Iceland: Day 5 - Hellnar
June 29, 2004
At Hellnar there is a natural sea port, which was one of the largest ones in Snaefellsnes in centuries past. We stopped briefly in Hellnar to look at some signs which described some of the local flora and birds. We also took a little nap in the car.
After our little rest we followed a path to a quaint little church with a wonderful view out over the cliffs as well as to the Snaefellsjokull.
Close to Hellnar we also visited Gudridur's Statue. This statue is in the memory of Viking woman Gudridur Thorbjarnardottir, who was born in Hellnar around 980 AD. Shewent to settle in America just after the year 1000 and is considered to be the first European mother to give birth there. When she returned to Europe, she walked to Rome to give the Vatican a first-person account of her journeys.
Rubby's highlight of today was our first puffin sighting along the cliffs!
Our personal guide in Hellnar.
The Hellnar church with the Snaefellsjokull as the backdrop.
The Hellnar church door.
View from the cemetery.
Gudridur's Statue
The cliffs along the coastline provides habitat for thousands of birds.
Kittiwakes and guillemots nesting on the cliffs.
Our first puffin sighting ever!
Rubby looking out for puffins.
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