Cruise Report

Apr.22nd

Enjoying the Aurora the Peace Boat way

Going hand in hand with the ships passage through the Aurora belt, onboard there are a number of lectures onboard about legends around the world surrounding lights, and the mechanics behind the phenomenon, as well as specialised photography workshops amongst other events. Hearing about the Northern Lights from an expert puts a whole new perspective on things, and makes them even more fascinating. Onboard we’re joined by photographer Mizumoto Shunya who told us about the fascination of watching the Aurora.

“There are very few cruises where the ship will actively chase after the Aurora. The sense of real presence from chasing after the lights is something truly unique to Peace Boat. The Aurora itself changes its location and moves across the sky, and the ship is able to match those movements and change course accordingly, and it’s this sense of “chasing” that makes it truly exciting.”

Mr Mizumoto also held photography lectures onboard, sharing some key information that the biggest key behind successful Aurora photography lies in the “light sensitivity” setting on your camera, and how well your camera detects light.

With a wealth of experience photographing the Aurora, Mr Mizumoto said that he’s been so enraptured watching the Aurora that he sometimes forgets he’s looking at it through the camera’s viewfinder.

Grétar Jónsson, founder of the northern lights museum “Aurora Reykjavik” also joined us onboard as a guest educator.

Beyond the Aurora, experience the wonders of Iceland, the country of fire and ice.

With most of its landmass located in volcanic regions, as well as some 10% of the surface covered in glaciers, Iceland is often called the land of fire and ice. Due to the unique combination of active volcanoes, changes to the earth’s crust, and the onward march of glaciers, the landscape is truly unique and not seen anywhere else. On the outskirts of Reykjavik you can find Gulfoss Falls, one of the most prominent waterfalls in Iceland, as well as the mighty geyser Geysir, and the world heritage listed Thingvellir National Park. These three spots collectively make up the “Golden Circle”, one of Iceland’s main tourist attractions. Another very popular spot are the beautiful milky waters of the Blue Lagoon, a natural hot spring resulting from the energy of a nearby geothermal power plant. The water is also filled with various minerals, being incrediby beneficial for the skin. This is one of the best opportunities to truly “soak” in the wonders of Iceland.

Gulfoss Waterfall, the “Golden Falls”, crashes and roars with vast quantities of water swirling into the sky, with rainbows shining of sunlight streaming into the spray.

The force of Geysir feels like the earth itself is breathing, it’s not hard to stand in awe of the sheer power of the steam and roar coming out of the earth.

Thingvellir National Park is where you can see Almannagjá, where the earth’s tectonic plates part, a truly dynamic spot where you can feel the life of the earth.

Blue Lagoon is the worlds largest outdoor natural hot spring, with sunlight shining on the milky blue water, it’s unlike anywhere else in the world.