August 31, 2017
Today the we encountered the stupendous scenery of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. First a visit to the charming Buðir Black Church, it is one of 3 black churches in Iceland. They are black because the exterior wood is painted with pitch, just like the hull of a boat. This is to protect it from the harsh Icelandic elements. This works fairly well and buildings treated in this way have survived over 100 years. After, a walk on the south shore along the shell sand beach at Buðir, surrounded by a vast lava field. We also explored the bizarre rock formations along the rugged shore at Arnarstapi, site of hundreds of nesting cliff birds. After stopping for a traditional fresh seafood soup at a rustic oceanfront restaurant the group visited Djúpalónssandur to see the haunting remains of boats that once took local fisherman to sea. We then had the opportunity to taste shark at the home of a local farmer who processes this former Viking delicacy himself.
