The signs to the attraction were a bit confusing but as we approached we could see the plumes of steam rising into the atmosphere and finally it was impossible to miss the huge structure of the power station looking like a set from a James Bond movie and we turned off the road and into the car park, which today, probably on account of the wretched weather was virtually empty.
Posted in Beaches, Europe, History, Iceland, Literature, Natural Environment, Postcards, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged Blue Lagoon, Geothermal Energy, Iceland, Life, Photography, Reykjavik, Travel
As it happened, the weather was beginning to improve slightly and we returned to the hotel at about lunchtime, confident that the missing bag would surely have turned up by now! No such luck and Kim is definitely not amused any more and even I am beginning to agree that it might be my fault especially when I fail to agree that there might be something to be gained from driving to the airport to give someone a slap.
Posted in Europe, History, Iceland, Natural Environment, Postcards, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged Blue Lagoon, British Airways, Iceland, Life, Lost Luggage, Minnesota Vikings, Photography, Reykjavik, Travel, Vikings
The Icelandic Phallological Museum claims that it exists for the purpose of genuinely serious study into the field of phallology in an organized, scientific fashion but you might not be inclined to agree with that when reaching the end of the tour and ending up in the predictable souvenir shop where rather tasteless and inappropriate items for sale included key rings and bottle openers each moulded into the inevitable shape of a human penis.
Eventually we reached Gullfoss, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The wide river Hvítá rushes southward and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the left and flows down into a wide curved three step staircase and then abruptly plunges in two stages into a crevice thirty-two metres deep. The crevice is about twenty metres wide, and is at right angles to the flow of the river which results in a dramatic water plunge and an atmosphere full of hanging water mist.
Posted in Arts and Crafts, Europe, Food, History, Iceland, Natural Environment, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged Þingvellir, Golden Circle, Gullfoss, Life, Photography, Reykjavik, Travel
Eventually we reached Geysir in the Haukadalur valley, which is the oldest known geyser and one of the world’s most impressive examples of the natural phenomenon. I had seen geysers before at Yellowstone National Park in the USA but these here were even more impressive. We followed the path past the bubbling mud pots and the belching steam vents and joined a bus tour party who had an entertaining and informative guide.
Posted in Arts and Crafts, Europe, Food, History, Iceland, Literature, Natural Environment, Postcards, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged Geysir, Golden Circle, Iceland Elves, Iceland Pony, Iceland UNESCO, Jules Verne, Life, Photography, Reykjavik, Thermal Activity, Travel
On November 11th 2007 I was travelling to Iceland
This was a British Airways flight so there was a level of sophistication to which we have become unaccustomed in our travels with the budget airlines and here are just a few things that British Airways do better than Ryanair; on this flight there were comfortable leather seats, flight attendants in smart uniforms, ample legroom for stretching out, a bag of breakfast, complimentary drinks and an attractive blonde Icelandic girl in the seat next to me and whilst we were in the air we had nothing but good things to say about the airline.
Things changed however when we arrived in Reykjavik and here is something that Ryanair do better than British Airways; they remember to put your luggage on board the same aircraft as you and deliver it to the same airport at the same time.
Posted in Europe, Food, History, Hotels, Iceland, Natural Environment, Postcards, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged British Airways, Iceland, Life, Lost Luggage, Photography, Reykjavik, Travel
Even though travel restrictions are easing I am not yet minded to risk it so I still have no new stories to post so I continue to go through my picture archives and see where I was on this day at any time in the last few travelling years.
Actually, I had a couple of flights booked this Autumn but the airline cancelled. I wasn’t at all disappointed about that and delighted to get a full refund.
On 15th October 2013 I was in Iceland looking for the Northern Lights…
“Narrow swirls of light would sweep across the great dome of sky, then hang there like vapour trails…. Lights would flicker brightly in the west, then vanish in an instant and reappear a moment later behind me, as if teasing me.” – Bill Bryson – ‘Neither here Nor there’
When we arranged this trip to Iceland we hoped of course that we would see them, Margaret asked us to go with them specifically – “to see the Northern Lights”, we agreed immediately but we were careful to bear in mind that this natural phenomenon is not like the Blackpool Illuminations, they can’t just be turned on and off for the benefit of tourists, no one is guaranteed to see them (unless you happen to be Bill Bryson writing a travel book that is) and many people leave disappointed.
We were among the lucky ones…
Posted in Europe, History, Iceland, Literature, Natural Environment, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged Aurora Borealis, Culture, Keflavik, Life, Nature, Northern Lights, Reyjkavik
I am going to need a bigger fridge for all the bottles…
Posted in Age of Innocence, Arts and Crafts, Childhood, Europe, Iceland, Natural Environment, Travel
Tagged Elf House Party
So I got the builders round and now I have more space for the house party.
Still some available slots, just bring a bottle …
Posted in Arts and Crafts, Childhood, Europe, History, Iceland, Literature, Postcards, Travel
Tagged Coronavirus, Elvis, House Party, Iceland Elves
In a land of fire and ice, a wild and magical place, where the fog-shrouded lava fields offer a spooky landscape it is possible that anything out of the ordinary is possible and stories abound about the “hidden folk”.
These are their houses…
My Travelling Partners, Blogging Pals and other Elf Friends having a House Party…
Sorry for stealing your pictures. If you want to leave then just let me know. If staying Bring A Bottle!
Read the Full Story of the Elves…
Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments’ on Norm’s site, anytime between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American Eastern Time).
Posted in Arts and Crafts, Childhood, Europe, History, Iceland, Postcards, Travel, World Heritage
Tagged Þingvellir, Culture, Elvis Presley, Fairies, Huldufólk, Iceland Doors, Iceland Elves, Iceland Floklore, Iceland Legends, Life, Reykjavik, Trolls
