Saturday, January 20, 2018

And So It Goes...

Iceland
October 2-12

Elves, trolls, and ghosts make up a large part of the very colorful Icelandic folklore. I didn't see any "in person", although I could  imagine that this country, so resplendent in natural beauty, might, very well, have had its share of visitors a long time ago; maybe, even now, descendants  lurk. There clearly is magic here on the island...












A Waterfall, An Off-Road Drive, A Subglacial Volcano, and The Blue Lagoon...

Iceland
Oct. 9-11

The rugged beauty of Iceland is never-ending and our last two days of exploring continued to reinforce this. After a morning visit to the Thorvaldseyri Visitor’s Center to experience “living in the shadow of an active volcano”, we drove to see the Seljalandsfoss, another one of the top 10 waterfalls in a country that has thousands of them. Seljalandfoss is tall and narrow, dropping down 200+ feet over rocky cliffs. An unusual feature of this waterfall is that visitors can actually walk behind it into a small cave for a closer look!


 Next stop was Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland, where it was time for off-road driving. I admit that I was a passenger and did not drive, but I still had to gear-up in suit and helmet and it was great fun none the less. Volcanic ruins were to the 
left and right of us.

Black Sand Beach Amongst The Volcanic Ruins

Our day's journey  continued with an unexpected adventure...
How to describe what it's like to climb within a subglacial volcano...a bit surreal and like, perhaps, being on another planet. Our local guide had discovered the spot just that day and shared that with the rate of melting, the ice would be gone before his next visit there.










And then there was the Blue Lagoon…talk about an ethereal experience. Located in a lava field in southwestern Iceland, the lagoon is man-made, fed by water coming from a geothermal power plant. Its warm water, averaging 99-102 degrees, is rich in minerals, and an hour soaking was the perfect end to days of exploring this remarkable country. We covered our faces with clay, let the warm water soothe away tired muscles as the steam enveloped us, laughed a lot and had a grand time! 

                        A Rainy Departure - A View From The Bus Window







Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Glory Of The Golden Circle...

Iceland
Oct. 9

The Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most population destinations, is a loop that begins in Reykjavik, goes through the southern uplands, and then back to Reykjavik. Covering 300 km., it is a paradise of national parks, waterfalls, geysers, and, simply, awe-inspiring scenery.

                                     Thingvellir National Park
                                (where Iceland's history began)
The first settlement in the area was in 874 with the arrival of clans from Norway. Although they shared a language, religion and history, the clans had their own leaders and traditions, and, ultimately conflicts would break out. For 56 years this "Settlement Period" continued with an ever increasing need for some form of a general assembly so that all could live peacefully. Thus, in 930, over 30 ruling clan chiefs met to discuss laws and create a commonwealth...the birth of the world's oldest Parliament.







Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Falls)
Considered to be one of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, it is a majestic sight...giant gorges and crashing water on several levels; a roaring sound indeed. Beginning in the River Hvita which has its origins in the glacial lake of Langkokull, Gulfoss takes on a bit of a golden hue in the sunlight due to the glacial sediment in the water.
  




Strokkur Geyser
A powerful hot spring erupting every 4-8 minutes with an average height of approximately 50 feet; on occasion more than 100 feet up.






Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Discovering The Wonders...

Iceland
Oct. 4-8

Leaving  Rekjavik and heading north, we drove through the Borgarfijordur Agricultural District - rolling meadows of green that went on and on...

Waterfalls of Hraunfossar
A 2,900 expanse of lava full of creeks and cascades flowing through the volcanic rocks


The Snaefellsnes Peninsula 
100 km. long and a haven of fjords, volcanic peaks, sea cliffs, and lava flows








Akureyri, on the northern fjord of Eyjafjordur and 100 km. away from the Arctic Circle, is Iceland’s second largest urban center. In days past, fishing and the city's port provided the main source of income, but, today, tourism, industry, education, and services are rapidly growing.



Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) 
 Rushing water pulled by the current along a glacial river falls 40 feet below


Geothermal Hot Springs - Lake Myvatn





                              And then there was the whale…