Filed under: Iceland, Travel diary | Tags: Glacier, Iceland, Seljalandfoss, Skógafos, Travel diary, Vik
Iceland has 5 main glaciers, one of them being only 3 hours drive away from Reykjavik on the south coast. So here we are, on our way to see one with our own eyes before it completely melts (total carbon footprint for the week-end = 3,500,000; errr, did I say I was green?) But before that, we want to see two more waterfalls: Seljalandfoss and Skógafoss and the little village of Vik , Iceland ’s biggest town before Reykjavik developed (big = 320 habitants (!)). Beaches there are made of black volcanic sand. There are also volcanic columns but we didn’t go far enough to see them.
The pictures tell more than any other word really (or maybe I’m getting lazy but anyway).
One of the highlights of the day was driving at the top of a volcano to reach the glacier and admire the view.
Just a quick word about our hotel, yes it’s a big touristic complex but the Lofteidir hotel is the only one in Reykjavik with its own pool. And when you’re all stiff from spending 10 hours in a car, a swim and a steam bath are the best way to recover. Reykjavik has several public geothermal pools but I’ve got to say it’s nice having your own at hand.
We spent another day in Reykjavik and got a few Christmas presents and souvenirs before flying back to London .
So, my opinion about Iceland? This is the most amazing, breathtaking country I have visited so far. Amazing landascapes, amazing light, lovely people… A destination to go back to for sure. Anyone interested?
Filed under: Iceland, Travel diary | Tags: Geyser, Golden Circle, Gullfoss, Iceland, The sea Baron Reykjavik
We’ve decided to follow in the bus tour’s footsteps and explore the Golden Circle , located in the centre of Iceland . Did I tell you the sun here is only rising at 11:00am and setting at 5:00pm? It never gets really high during the winter and the result is a permanent sunrise and sunset. I can’t even find the words to describe the beauty of the landscapes. I can barely keep my eyes on the road! Bathed in the light, ice all around, no one on the tiny track, we feel like two explorers in the North Pole.
Gullfoss, our first stop is a majestic waterfall. A little path allows you to go very close to the water. Everything is frozen and each tiny icy magnifying glass is catching the rays of the sun.
And suddenly, it’s the storm. The sky goes from blue to white, the snow starts falling in big lumps. How did that happen? No idea but half an hour and 4 cm of snow later, the sun is back again and it’s as if nothing had happened.
Geyser (For your culture Britons, the word geezer is originally from Iceland) is another natural Icelandic treasure. Water is boiling at the surface of the earth and releasing pressure and water at regular intervals. One crater is particularly impressive and liberates huge spray of water every 5 minutes. A big blue bubble forewarns the projection of water.
I think I’m high on fresh air and amazing breathtaking wild landscapes. I could stay there for hours watching the light get caught in the steam but it’s time for us to make a move. We don’t want to be stuck in the dark in the middle of nowhere and our car is everything but built for icy roads. I receive the confirmation not much later. We want to see the first place where the Icelandic parliament settled, Þingvellir. There’s no road to access it, just a track. I engage the car on the track but get stuck only a few metres further. The little Toyota can’t get over the first hill and slides down uncontrollably towards the ditch. I am f*****g scared and shaking even more uncontrollably! Change of plans, back to the main road. We’ll have to come back another time. We are slightly disappointed but forget quickly: the views are fantastic and every corner is presenting new stunning vistas. People say Iceland is all about the journey, not the destination. It is true.
Still following the advice of my flatmate Alex, we are heading off to a lovely, quirky, funny little fish bar on Reykjavik ’s harbour, the Fish Baron. Icelandic people traditionally go there for a bowl of the best lobster soup ever and maybe a mink whale brochettes before going out. Yes, me too I thought it was forbidden to kill whales nowadays but not there apparently! The restaurant is not even mentionned in guide books but is well worth the trip. And it’s cheap.
Back to the hotel, knackered and happy, with stars and sunsets in our eyes, Iceland , so far is beyond all our expectations. I can’t wait til tomorrow!
Filed under: Iceland, Travel diary | Tags: Blue Lagoon, Hallgrimskirkja church, Iceland, Reykjavik
So yes, I was telling you about Iceland … Not just happy to go and spend 4 months in Asia , I had to go and explore more continents! Heading off to Reykjavik , 4 days to unwind with the beautiful man.
The first thing that struck me in Reykjavik was the colours. Terracotta, vert de gris, orange, silver, cyan, turquoise… I like colours. And then the light, crisp, pure, and warm at the same time…
The road is good, it’s Saturday morning, we are on holidays, we have chocolates and it’s sunny, the perfect start to a day. Find a place to park the car for free et hop, we are off to discover the town. It’s lovely here. Reykjavik at the first sight is composed of a little lake frozen, several multicolour metal and wooden houses and a little church with a green hat.
First stop, the church of Hallgrimskirkja , its 75m high and its architecture representing volcanic columns. The view from the top is astounding although a bit spoilt by green fillet and the scaffoldings. The wind blows furiously.
Our steps take us to the town centre and the harbour for more blow minding views and, after a warming lunch – fresh fish of course – we make a halt at the national gallery of Iceland before making our way to the Blue Lagoon. Whouahhhh…. (That’s gonna be the leitmotiv during these holidays) The Blue Lagoon is a natural geothermal pool. The water, milky blue, is extracted from the volcanic soil and has natural exfoliating and rejuvenating properties. The Blue Lagoon is Icelandic’s favourite past time and there’s even a bar that serves drinks for the swimmers. This place is amazing and we could spend hours there! But it’s getting late and we need to eat. Following my flatmate Alex’s advice (he was there just a day ago) we pick up a nice little unknown restaurant in the old harbour of Reykjavik where Stewart will be having one of the best fish soup ever.
It’s nice being on holidays.
