Whales!! in Iceland

Day 6 in Iceland - Today we went to Husivak in the north of Iceland to go whale watching.  This had been on both of our lists and we had a glorious day.  The whole day was bright, sunny and warm but not too hot.  The sun is just starting to set now (11:00 p.m.) We chose North Sailing - an original locally own company - our boat was the Gardar - an oak boat built in Denmark in 1964 and designed for Iceland waters. 

Gardar - whale watching boat - the one in the distance

We saw humpback whales and a blue whale - the first one the company had seen this season.  The water was calm and beautiful - perfect watching weather.  I did not get decent photos of the humpback whales but did manage to snap a few of the blue whale.

Blue whale

Blue whale

our view while whale watching

East Iceland

Day 5
We stayed the night in Djupjvogur a small fishing village situated between two beautiful fjords, Berufjorour and Harnarsfjordur and woke up to a beautiful sunny day.

A local artist carved these egg sculptures representing the eggs of native birds.  They are on display not too far from the centre of the village. 

Today was a long drive all the way to Laugar near the Myvatn Lake area.  We had a near miss though along the way - we saw something moving very quickly in the ditch on the opposite side of the road when all of a sudden it jumped onto the road heading right towards us - it was a tire - yes! a tire - we have no idea where it came from - as there was a mountain to our left and the sea to our right.  Thankfully, the tire missed us.  A mystery??? or a game to see who can hit the tourist?

Another road hazard is sheep - they are all over and have the right of way - even if you are travelling at 90 kms per hour.  We keep a watchful eye on them but are amazed to see them in what seems to be very remote areas.

just another day in Iceland

We requested an upgraded room and received the deluxe suite, here is the bathroom ;)

Waterfalls, Glaciers and Icebergs - oh my!

I got ahead of myself yesterday and titled the post Day 3 & 4 and then only talked about Day 3 so today I will try to catch up.  The challenge is that our days are long - not only in the amount of daylight but also in the things we are doing.  Yesterday - Day 4 of our Iceland adventure was not only our busiest but also our most physical so far.  First thing we headed to Skaftafell Park part of Vatnajokull Park.  Vatnajokull glacier is the largest glacier in Europe and the park covers 12000 sq km - 10 percent of Iceland's surface.  We climbed upstream to Swartifoss (which means black falls) - just a short walk, just under 2 km each way.   

Swartifoss

Lesley on the trail

the view - halfway up

We then went on a 3 hour glacier hike on a small finger of the Vatnajokull Glacier with Jons, our guide for the hike, 6 young ladies from South American and 3 well travelled Americans.  After a quick lesson on how to put on the cramp-ons and a check that we have them on properly we were off.   

a crevice in the glacier

just testing the waters - yes it is cold!

Barb and Lesley on the glacier - we made it up and down without falling down...

the glacier looks quite dirty - there is dirt plus ash from the 2011 volcano eruption

Jons with a moss covered rock - these rocks are on the glacier and picks up bits of dirt and the moss grows on them even as they rock moves slowly down the glacier - so the saying 'a rolling stone carrys no moss' is not true on this glacier...

After a quick lunch that included a tub of Skyr - a very yummy thick yogurt, we were off to Jokulsarlon and the promise of icebergs.  Travelling the #1 highway is quite easy but we have learned that if several cars are pulled off either at a look-out or at the side of the road that we should too.  So just before our targeted destination, Lesley noticed several cars pulled off the road.  We pulled over and on foot headed up a steep hill and as we crested the top - the view took our breath away - we saw a lagoon full of icebergs - there must have been hundreds - white, blue and some that looked like vanilla ice cream with chocolate ripples.  

you can see the Breioarmerkurjokull glacier in the background

Jokulsarlon is the glacier lagoon of the Breioarmerkurjokull.  50 years ago the glacier reached the shore but the glacier recedes approximately 100 metres per year gouging out a depression that is filled with melted water and icebergs.  Across the highway from the lagoon is the shore where chunks of ice play in the surf.

a piece of glacier ice on the black sand beach - so clear - it looks like glass

At the last minute we decided to take a boat ride in the lagoon - up close and personal with the glaciers it was fabulous.

our boat - yes really

a huge piece of ice fell off this iceberg right in front of us

yes the iceberg is blue



Days 3 & 4 Iceland

Day 3 - We toured through Suourland (South Iceland).  Waterfalls were on the itinerary - first up was Seljalandsfoss - a very cool one that you can walk behind the falls - we were prepared for this one - we zipped into our rain pants and coat and made it through dry as a bone!  It is amazing here - these attractions are free - no admittance is charged.  Here are some shots.

yes - that is Lesley and me all bundled up

no railings or any other precautionary items - use at your own risk...

Next up was Skogafoss - even more dramatic.  The land around the falls was soooo verdant green - absolutely beautiful.

Skogafoss

We then headed to Dyrholaey the southernmost point of mainland Iceland - the name means ' hole in the door'.  The sea erodes the 100 metre high lava cliffs into weird and wonderful shapes.   The black sand beaches, birds and crashing of the waves against the rocks - all beautiful.  We spent time climbing over the rocks and getting as close to the edge as we dared - both a bit chicken to get too close.

The small looking black rocks (top right) are called the Troll rocks.

a meadow of lupins in Vik

 Vik is the southernmost village and is between the sea and the Myrdalsjokull glacier.  There is a awesome black sand beach here.   The Arctic lupin is everywhere in the south and is a bit controversial - some see them as an invasive weed taking over while others see them as beautiful.  Again, unfortunately my photos do not portray how pretty and abundant they are. 



Golden Circle

Heading out for Reykjavik, we did the Golden Circle on July 1 - (O Canada!!) first to Thingvellir National Park - the birthplace of the Icelandic nation. It is the country's first national park and as well commemorates both the political and natural foundations of Iceland. Iceland's parliament or Althing was founded at Thingvellir in AD930. By mutual agreement, it was determined that form of government would be a commonwealth. All the local councils or 'things' would meet one a year to make judgements, discuss current events and pass new laws. Today this national park is not only beautiful but also represents a divergent rift valley within the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two plates are pulling apart in opposite directions - about 7 mm per year.

Unfortunately, my photos do not depict how beautiful and awe inspiring Iceland really is but here are a few.

Thingvellir National Park

Me at Thingvellir

This is where, once judgement was passed - drownings took place - hey - very few trees here...

Lesley at Thingvellir

We then visited Geysir - to see the geysers - and we got caught in the rain without our rain gear (it was in the car...) so we towelled ourselves off and donned our gear to head to Gulfoss.  After that we made our soggy way to our hotel - ahhhh....

 Here are some photos. 

Geysir

Gulfoss in the rain

Gulfoss

Iceland - magnificant - Ja!!

We arrived bright and early to a beautiful day in Reykjavik - clear blue sky and sun high in the sky and warm temps!  We were both a bit fuzzy due to the overnight flight and time change which caused us to both be a bit punchy.  We took off to explore on foot and discover Rejkjavik

After breakfast and a bit of a wander, we came upon the Reykjavik City Hall which is an interestion design right on a small lake.  Here are a couple shots.   There was what we thought was election booths inside - we think for the Presidential election.

We then found Parliament House which has a lovely public square in front - we walked by early evening and there were many people enjoying the late sun and having a picnic in the park.

We found the Settlement Exhibition - which showcased the archaeological remains found in 2001 and were excavated in Aðalstræti, which turned out to be the oldest relics of human habitation in Reykjavík. A wall fragment was found dating before 871 AD. During the excavation a hall or a longhouse was found as well, from the tenth century. The hall and the wall fragment are now preserved at their original location as the focal point of an exhibition about life in Viking Age Reykjavík called The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík 871±2   It is quite an interesting exhibition.

Then for a bit of culture and a tour through the National Art Gallery -  a very white building inside and out.  Most of the art seemed to have a water theme but not sure if deliberate?

We ended the day with a wondeful dinner  - fresh perch straight from the dock for me and langustina (lobster) for Lesley.  Then we enjoyed the bluegrass and 60's music at Club Rosenberg - where all the songs were in English performed by Icelanders - all the patter and jokes in Icelandic.  Great music!

We then headed for our beds though it was still quite light out and the sun was just setting at 12:20 a.m. but it did not get dark at all.

Iceland - here we come...

After a bit of a break at home in Toronto, I am off again.  This time to Iceland.  I am travelling this time with my friend Lesley.  We previously conquered Costa Rica together so now off to another island adventure.   I'm told the temperatures are a bit different... ;)

I found it much more difficult to pack for this trip (temps in the 30s in Toronto today and it definitely is not that hot in Iceland)- we have had lots of advice on climate which I understand can change in the blink of an eye from sunny and warm to windy, rainy and cold.   So layers it is with rain/wind coat, rain pants and good comfortable footwear - sounds sexy eh?

Upon realizing that we booked a flight out on the Friday night of a long weekend in Canada and concerned about all those people trying to get out of the city - I called for a taxi with lots of time - of course Murphy was laughing at me and I encounterd no real traffic and zipped to the airport in no time.  So, here I sit - watching the world go by - not really a hardship.   I am also amazed at the size of suitcases - wow - how do they lift them and it seems the smallest people have the biggest bags!! fascinating...

So, I hope to post about our travels and adventures in Iceland and of course include photos. (pending wifi availability)  Stay tuned...