Heimaey, August 30, 2024

Heimaey is an island in the southeast of Iceland, and the town on the island is also called Heimaey. The island is just over 13 km2 in size and has the highest number of volcanic eruptions in this part of Iceland. The last one occurred in 1973, which almost destroyed the town and the harbor. The people barely managed to escape after the eruption, and they succeeded in diverting the lava to save the harbor. Later, the place was rebuilt. There is an impressive museum that documents the events and showcases two excavated houses.

Near the town, there are also puffin colonies. In the past, like with other seabirds, their eggs were taken for food. This was done by climbing from nest to nest using ropes. Families often owned their own small islands where they could exclusively collect eggs or hunt birds. Today, puffins are still captured to check their health and potentially to band or tag them.

There is also a sanctuary that cares for wildlife and prepares them for freedom again. They also have two beluga whales, which they were able to acquire from a Chinese zoo, and they are also to be released back into the wild.

The town has about 5,000 residents, but they organize a festival every year that attracts over 20,000 people. The festival takes place in Caldera (Verslunarmannahelgi), which is a natural atrium.

Overall, it is a lovely place, seemingly without any crime. The front doors are open, the keys are left in the cars, and if a car goes missing, usually someone has confused it with their own and brings it back right away: