Familiar Ports Offer Comfort and Ease, But Perhaps Lack Adventure

Days 47-49, 2025 European Odyssey

Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 14-16, 2025; Djúpivogur, Akureyri and Ísafjörður, Iceland.

There may be a fine line between comfort and falling into a rut. I might have crossed it.

I find comfort in the familiarity of places I’ve visited before. There’s no tinge of anxiety about the unknown or concern that my planning will fail me. I can relax and enjoy the day.

But too much relaxing and I’m in a rut. After a full schedule of new ports on the last cruise, I looked forward to a slower pace this week’s return to Iceland. No planning needed; just get off the ship at my leisure and revisit favorite stops. It’s comforting, but I’m running the danger of boredom, of missing the excitement of somewhere new.

For these first three Icelandic ports of Djúpivogur, Akureyri and Ísafjörður, I spent no time planning. I strolled familiar streets, took my fill of interesting (to me) photographs and enjoyed some local brews. I also realized later that with a bit of research I could have enhanced my visits.

In 2019, I passed through Djúpivogur on the way to black-sand beaches. Thursday, I tendered into town in the early afternoon and walked around the small town. My short route included a stop at a local resident’s rock display; my geologist sister would have loved it.

Back in the harbor, I enjoyed a beer and pretzel at the local brewery while waiting for the tender line to shorten (the same thing my sisters did here in May).

What I missed due to my lack of planning was a visit to the eggs at Gleðivík Bay, created by Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðmundsson. Just a half mile from the tender pier is this outdoor art of 34 large granite eggs representing the different eggs migrating birds lay here. It will be a must-do next time.

Yesterday in Akureyri, Iceland’s capital of the north, again I had no specific plan. Most first-time visitors visit Godafoss, one of the most visited waterfalls, or the relatively new Forest Lagoon spa.

I enjoyed veering off the direct route to town, photographing whatever caught my eye and reading numerous signs describing the town’s history. I learned why some buildings are covered with slate in fish-scale patterns or with pressed iron plates resembling tiles (protection from elements and fire).

I also learned that 100 years ago two prominent buildings on the pedestrian street were competing stores, Paris and Hamburg. A clock still carries the Paris name.

The bright pink tiny building where I once bought ice cream is now mustard yellow and offers kebabs.

I never made it the relatively short distance to a resident’s backyard “fairytale figures.” The stop goes back on the list for next time. But I did take yet another photo of Akureyri’s distinctive heart-shaped stop lights.

Many cruise visitors to Ísafjörður in Iceland’s northwest visit Dynjandi, rated among the top five of Iceland’s waterfalls. Not only is it stunning, but you pass through a one-lane but two-way traffic tunnel with occasional turnouts to let traffic pass. It also has a junction in the middle with a traffic light.

Today I bundled up against a stiff unrelenting wind to follow a familiar route around town, taking the same photographs that I’ve taken on previous visits: old boats parked in back yards, a red-roofed house under a massive hill, the relatively modern church.

Back in the small city center, I stopped in the grocery store and was a bit ashamed that I immediately knew exactly where to find Maltesers.

My final destination was the local brewery, Dokkan Brugghus. The stiff breeze had sent virtually everyone inside. For this third visit, I again chose a flight. I always choose their Dokkan Pale Ale, and this time I added Drangi Amber Ale (4), Sumar Púki Raspberry Sour (7) and Sæunn Mango IPA (8).

So, am I in a rut? I’ve chosen to make a cruise ship, and therefore its many ports, my home most of the year, so my journey doesn’t always have that same excitement I once felt on short vacations away from the routine. But I don’t want to be someone who misses the thrill of traveling the world. Iceland isn’t on my itinerary for at least the next two years, so maybe after a break I will discover new adventures here.

We still have Reykjavik and the island of Heimaey – a new port for me. Meanwhile, I’ll dig deep for a renewed sense of excitement as my odyssey continues.