Woke up at 6 a.m. to prepare for our boat trip to the above-named reserve which is composed of a group of rock islands that many species of birds use as safe nesting grounds. Although the rest of this area experienced cloudy, foggy weather, we were again treated to sunny skies and very little wind. Once again, we enjoyed some spectacular scenery on our way to the small fishing village (only 40 residents) where we were to catch our boat. Our boat accommodated three bus loads of people with some seats both inside (where you wouldn't see much) and some outside. We elected to stand for the hour and a half journey so that we would have good views. We saw seals playing in the surf, many puffins, black guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, gannets, shags, cormorants, Arctic terns, and white-tailed eagles. Right up my alley. We both really enjoyed the morning.
The only disconcerting episode were three people who arrived one-half hour late to our bus totally oblivious of the fact that everyone else was on time. They managed to hold up one other bus load from our ship and one from another cruise line docked here who waited on the boat for our bus to arrive. This meant that the boat crew didn't get a break for lunch, there wasn't time for many people to use the one WC available, the gift shop and small cafeteria didn't get the business they expected and our dining room staff was inconvenienced by having to work well past the usual closing time. And this on a night we lose two hours as we cross into a Russian time zone. I cannot get over the nerve of some people who think the world rises and sets on them. Norma says you cannot escape the ignorance of some people.
Tomorrow, back to the bureaucracy of Russia and a tour of Murmansk with some high seas along the way according to the captain.
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