Blogs from Iceland, Europe - page 95

'We do not have cash, but we do have ash', says a billboard somewhere in the center of Reykjavik. Since the Icesave crisis in 2008 -I was one of the victims- I had in mind never to go to this country of financial scavengers. And when an eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull (even when you copy paste such a name there is considerable chance something will go wrong) paralyzed international airtraffic in 2011, my decision was taken: Iceland is a no go area. But it is 2012 now, I have got my money back and the air is cleaned up again. Moreover Iceland is nicely positioned on our route from North America to Europe. So why not to give it a try? We do not know so much about Iceland. We never have met an Icelander. There ... read more

June 21st, Myvatn is our goal today. First the earthbaths with a lovely swim. Everyone felt so relaxed afterwards that many fell asleep on the bus on the way over to Dettifoss, the powermost waterfall in Europe. It is so! amazing. Then back to explore Dimmuborgir (Dark cities or rocks). No one got lost this time like last time with the Halton Outdoor Club. The pseudocraters did not get the proper walk as usually when we do this part of the country, you simply cannot do everything! And today is Friday. Whalewatching for some of my nice people from Canada, others want to have a look around the town of Akureyri. The wearher is good, 24 centigrades as we get to the abode of the Gods. This is where Odinn, the father of the other Gods, ... read more

Good to be in Akureyri. Last night the midnight sun was simply perfect - the sky was clear, the sun went down to the horizon, touched it and then up again. The morning after we set off to Myvatn, to the earthbaths for a relaxing bathe. Dettifoss is our next stop! The powermost waterfall in Europe, muddy, noisy and SO amazing. Now we do want to hurry over to the hot-spring area, Dimmuborgir and the pseudocraters. Not much time to do all this, fabulous nature, Godafoss (the waterfall of the Gods), beautiful as ever with all its history. We are at the hotel at 7 in the afternoon so after a good dinner a wander around town is nice. Tomorrow is going to be another adventure.... read more

Our days are so busy that time for blogging is little. Right now (June 19) we are at a guesthouse in the middle of nowhere near a the cliffs of Latrabjarg. The beach is shell-sand, almost white. The arctic terns nest outside our windows, the plovers can be heard, the wagtails twitter, nature and hardly anything but nature. Yesterday was full of activities. First we went to a museum on fishing in Osvor. Then to have view over Isafjordur at the old ski-restaurant, that is not in use any more after the avalanche back 1994. The holiday home area suffered from that when quite many little cottages where completely destroyed one night in April. Now for a hike up to the waterfall and the forest where you can almost get lost. Lunch is at our little ... read more

Westfjords today. It was snowing in the mountains last night, but sunny as we woke up. Now we are heading to the mountains, through the Valleys. One of the Sagas took place here. We spotted lots of seals as we got into the fjords. Seven fjords we had to drive before we finally got to our resting place for the night - Isafjordur. Today is Icelands National Independence Day so we manage to get to the celebration downtown.... read more