Friday 8 December 2017

Beautiful days in Iceland


Pingvellir National Park and the Parliament


The meeting point of the Eurasian and the American plates of the Earth: a young, volcanic Island in the long history of our Planet. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, one of the most tectonically active places on earth. The volcanic birth of the fascinating geological landscape and the ongoing growth and transformation of this land. Iceland is a baby of our planet: geologically a youngest spot on this Earth, appearing over the ocean surface about 16 to 18 million years ago. A land of saga's and vikings with so much interesting details in it's History. 


A viewpoint at Pingvellir National Park.





A daytrip to countryside: the golden circle

I have been always interested in Iceland. In the end of November 2017 I had an opportunity to spent a long weekend in this mysterious and beautiful country. I know this was just a small scratch on the surface, my first visit. We mostly stayed in Reykjavik, but had a nice Golden Cirle roundtrip with a small group, traveling with a minibus around the southwest part of Iceland. This trip was  organized by Gateway to Iceland. They organize different sorts of day trips in Iceland. We went to see many locations including: Pingvellir National Park/the Parliament, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss water fall and had a nice swim at the Secret Lagoon (not as touristic as the famous Blue Lagoon). We also visited a local farmer, who makes delicious ice cream. 

If you make a day trip out of the City on your Reykjavik visit, don't take tours organized by big buses. With a small group and with a very professional and entertaining guide, you will enjoy the day much more. Other option would be just rent a car, but our time was limited and the organized option was perfect for us. We were on this trip as a family and the countryside of Iceland was interesting for the kids too. I wanted my children to see the beauty of the Earth from the other point of view and let them get to know the mystical powers that lie under the surface. I think visiting places like this can increase your respect on Nature and give you the inspiration to be more ecological in your everyday life. But in the other hand: traveling is polluting the environment. Difficult dilemma's of the modern world and many choices we can make better, in many areas of our life.

Öxará -river 

Our first stop on the round trip was the Pingvellir National Park. The name Pingvellir means "the fields of Parliament". This spot was chosen a long time ago to be the yearly meeting point of different clans from different parts of Iceland. This came a spot where disputes were settled, where the annual news could be shared and where the criminals were tried and punished. In this landscape you see the Eurasian and American plates meeting. The distance between these plates is growing every year approximately 2,5cm, making the valley bigger and bigger. You can freely walk in this area, there are nice viewpoints and paths to follow.  Because of the history it came a national park in 1930 and was accepted to Unesco world Heritage list on 2004.



Our local tour guide told us so many stories when we drove through the white fantasy landscape. He was a true Icelander, but had lived in other parts of Europe and in Canada as well. His knowledge about the history and geology was very inspring. The personal views, the passion and the stories of his own experiences were making this day trip very special. If you ever go to Iceland and want to first get to know the island a bit before being more independent explorer, just take part on this sort of day tour with a small group and you will learn so much.


a dreamy Traveller


After having a nice ice cream at the local farm, we drove to geothermal landscape to see the Geysir. It is good to take some time to see the geysir spraying up the pressure for a couple of times. It happens in every 6-7 minutes. The geysir statue stays up for just a few seconds, so after taking a picture it is good to forget the camera and just enjoy the view. It was really interesting to go to geothermal areas, because the water was so warm and even hot, making nice smoky looking views. The contrast between hot and cold was so clear to be seen.



Everyone is waiting to see the Geysir statue.


It was freezing cold and windy and the moment was very fast. 

We were lucky with the weather on our day trip, the Sun was shining and the snow was sparkling in the mysterious light. The blue shades of the late afternoon started to land on the scenery when we drove to  Gullfoss waterfall. This is one of the biggest water falls in Europe. Located on the golden circle it is also the most popular water fall of Iceland. But there are many other beautiful waterfalls in this country..I would like to see them too one day.

The Gullfoss waterfall was frozen. The blue moment in the late afternoon made it look surreal.


Our last stop on our round trip was a nice, warm geothermal bath at the Secret Lagoon. It is a natural looking place with one bigger "pool", located in interesting looking landscape. It was already dark when we got there, so I did not really see the surroundings, but I think this is not only a nice place to bath - you can also have a walk and admire the views. The water was so lovely, but the few meter walk from the shower room was freezing:-). It was wonderful to change the spot in the water and feel how there were differences between temperatures in different spots. The temperature was comfortable and the whole experience reminded a bit of a Sauna in outdoors. It is also good to know there are few warm outdoor pools also in Reykjavik for more geothermal relaxation.


An overlook of the Secret Lagoon (not my picture, download from the internet)


 I did not have my camera when bathing :), but took this blurry picture when we left.


The use of renewable Geothermal energy in a bigger scale - not only bathing and washing like in old days - is quite a new invention in Iceland. Today, about 9/10 households are heated with geothermal energy. About 85% of the energy is coming from renewable sources, from which 65% is coming from geothermal warmth. Like our guide said: you can shower as long as you want in Iceland.
Iceland was struggling with the economy during the financial crisis in 2008. After that and the big volcano eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, the economy has gotten better mostly because of tourism. The prices got lower and it has been more possible for the tourists to come and see the natural miracles of Iceland. But it is still expensive!!


Even the country is doing quite well now in many ways, there is a higher risk for the next bigger volcano eruption in the near future. The increased activity in the volcano system of Bárðarbunga with four smaller earth quakes in the end of October 2017, is a sign that the pressure is developing in the volcano's magma chamber. According to geophysicist Páll Einarsson from the University of Iceland, some other volcano's along Bárðarbunga have shown increased activity lately. But it is impossible to predict eruptions long time in advance even the volcanic activity is under more surveillance than ever before. The nature has it's own periods and developments that we can't always predict or control. This volcanic and challenging landscape must have shaped the mentality of the Icelandic people during the time. Maybe flexibility and being able to adapt to different situations could be couple of those.



The peace of the landscape under the moonlight!


A view from the airplane before landing to Iceland.

Moments from Reykjavik

Our weekend in Reykjavik was also very interesting. The cold wind made us to look for some indoor activities and cafe's on our walks through the city. The season before Christmas time is quite charming I think. We were happy to see some snow. Actually the temperature never gets very cold in Iceland. The Gulf stream around the island keeps the clima milder than expected. We were told that there is not normally snow for a longer period in Reykjavik, but on our visit there was a bit of snow even in the City.

very many cosy cafe's in the Centre.


A very nice breakfast place: The Laundromat Cafe

Hallgrimskirkja, the famous church on the Hill in Reykjavik

Am I lost in Raykjavik ?



The beautiful architecture of the Concert- and Congress house Harpa.






There is a lot of interesting architecture and colorful houses in the Centre of Reykjavik. An interesting mitch match of the older style and the new modern design. A funny detail is that some houses look like they were made of wood, but actually are made of some sort of wavy metal that imitates the nordic wooden house style. But there are not so many trees, you had to invent other solutions.

Looks like a wooden House, but top layer is Metal.



A lot of streetart and colors to admire.


Nice little photography shop with prints for sale.


The massive mountain views at the Harbor. Really inspring to walk near the water..even in Winter.
On our sunday walk by the waterline of Reykjavik, we visited the "Whales of Iceland"- exhibition  It was fascinating to see these big creatures in their natural size. Walking in this space was like visiting the underwater world. There was a lot of information and things to learn. It is also possible to make Whale watching boat trips in Iceland, but maybe a warmer season suits better for that kind of activity.



Slippery streets!!! We did not see any dogs in Reykjavik, where are they?


One more thing. There is a great food hall with small delicate foods build in the old bus station in the Centre of Reykjavik called  Hlemmur, Mathöll



Iceland is a land of contrast: the landscape with low and high points, underground warmth meeting the icy winds in winter days, water in all it's elements, the surprising colors of Reykjavik and the silence of the lonely spots at the countryside. A northern jewel with sparkling lights and new ideas. I did not see the Northern lights this time, but I was charmed by the ascetic beauty of the Nature and the creative vibes of Reykjavik.

My own nordic lights :-), did not have time to hunt for the real ones this time!