While in Iceland, we hiked along and behind waterfalls, super jeep-ed and walked on black sand beaches, visited Geysir, and drove on a glacier.  On the flip side, we luxuriated in the geothermal delight that is the Blue Lagoon and strolled the streets of charming Reykjavik. It was an amazing trip that I often think about.  In many ways it feels like a dream. I came home wishing that everyone could see this naturally beautiful country and at the same time selfishly wanting people to stay away so as not to spoil it.

With the country firmly planted in the news following the eruption of the volcano at Eyjafjallajokull, my thoughts are again of Iceland.

More Photos, Posts and Links from our Iceland Trip:

• More Iceland Posts
• Super Jeep Exursions – NatureExplore.is
• Visit Iceland
• Iceland Tourist Board
• Blue Lagoon

Motorcycles Cruising in Iceland

On Easter Sunday we set off with our most excellent guide Haukur (Hawk) from Nature Explorer in his Nissan Patrol which they refer to as a super jeep.

One of our first stops that morning was to Seljalandsfoss where we hiked up behind the falls.

The tongue of the Sólheimajökull glacier where we were able to walk up and take a peek around.

Later in the morning we headed up in to the mountains and drove on top of a glacier where Haukur took us to you know, just hang out. And eat lunch. On the glacier. It was very cool

Top o’ the world, Ma!

The ride down from the glacier had us in fits of excited laughter as Hawk cranked up the music, hit the gas and bounced and expertly wheeled us down the snow. He was so awesome. He had a very quiet, smart and survivorman kind of vibe. You just knew that you were in capable hands and it allowed us to just relax and enjoy the spectular sights that unfolded.

The black sand beach near Myrdalsjokull glacier, a rainbow and the wreckage of an old Navy plane. Throw in the whale skeleton we’d just seen and it prompted our guide Hawk to mention that when he visits the beach here it often reminds him of being in a living Salvador Dali painting.

We had the beach and Skogarfoss and it’s beautiful rainbow all to ourselves.

I loved this day.

Out in the very lunar-like landscape sits one or Reykjavik most significant tourist draws. The Blue Lagoon spa. A littel slice of hot water heaven that is not to be missed.

The sheer power of Gullfoss waterfall is something to behold as you walk down the windy spray filled path to stand at the edge of the falls. A bajillion gallons of water go rushing by, clean and blue as you stand just a dozen feet away, wind whipping your face. It’s absolutely stunning to stand so close to such power.

In iceland when you go and visit a beautiful natural space such as Gullfoss, you’ll notice right away that there aren’t many safety barriers, railings and precautions put in place to keep the people out of the falls. I guess if you’re dumb enough to shimmy down the wet rocks in dress shoes to have your photo taken with your toe in the water, you probably deserve to fall in.

Not too far from Gullfoss sits the town of Geysir. The great geyser below is said to be the oldest known geyser.

While we were there we saw the geyser errupt probably 4 or 5 times. It starts off with a slow rolling bubble, gradually filling up to the top of the hole. It continues to roll and bubble and creep towards the rim of the rock and then.. whooooooosh

This travelling man stands outside of the Geysir Hotel. Travel on little fella.. travel on..

Okay, let’s get these out of the way:

1. No, it wasn’t that cold. It was about 40 degrees.
2. No, everything wasn’t super cheap because of economic collapse. Food and transportation were still major expenses.
3. They speak Icelandic and yes, most people speak English.
4. Everyone is very friendly.
5. No we didn’t see Bjork.

Reykjavik felt more like a suburb, like a far less dense and congested Queens, moreso than a major city. At times we found ourselves walking alone on streets that were lined with single family dwellings. Even within the town center there were moments when we were alone. Though it was the Easter holiday time, think about how often that happens in Times Square. Mmm… never? With less than 400,000 residents you’ve got a lot of elbow room in Iceland. I loved that part.

The ambulatory of Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s tallest building and most visible city landmark looks quite, hmm, boob-like? to me. Unfortunately the church’s tower has been under restoration since October 2008, so we only have scaffolding shots of the front. When we entered we were in time to hear a chorus rehearsing in the cathedral’s empy halls. With only 4 other people in the church, it was almost like they were singing just for us.

The city unfolds into view from the top of the tower observation room:

The &quotFussMops&quot. Kenny needs to work on his backwards writing.

When you’re walking around the pavered streets you have an awareness of the mountains and the water from seemingly everywhere.

City Center (Centrum) where all of the motorcyclists congregated.

Reykjavik Cetrum Hotel where we stayed.

Hotdogs are really popular in town. They’re called pylsur. This stand always had a line.

I found it more than a little odd that such a fascinating and unique environment would garner such simple, closed reaction. Now that I’ve gone and returned my hunch that the only people that ask why, know what amounts to zero about Iceland was correct. Not that I am any sort of expert or even what would be considered knowledgeable about the subject but all along I’ve thought the correct question should have really been Why Not?

What I knew of Iceland before I left was that it was a naturally rugged and raw, beautiful place. For about a year now it has been dancing on my subconscious as place I must visit soon. Life has a funny habit of passing you by in a blink so when opportunity knocked on my email box this past March I thought it best to take the leap. And with that, off we went in to the red sunrise…

Keflavik Airport

On our drive from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik the landscape rolled out in very lunar-like crumbly chunks of rock that wore moss sweaters covered in a dusting of powdered sugar. On one side sat the ocean while the other perimeter was surrounded by mountains.

The combination of the natural excitement you feel when you find yourself in a new and faraway place coupled with the unique view everything presented under the orange glow of the morning sun awakened a boiling excitement that this was going to be a great trip. Off we went to Reykjavik…

The drowning pool where sinful women were put to death.

Lots of wishes there…

Icelandic Ground Heart

The Reykjavik police have it good, wouldn’t you say? Check out one of their FJRs:

]]> http://www.fuzzygalore.com/2009/04/iceland-the-fuzzs-motorbike/feed/ 0 http://www.fuzzygalore.com/2009/04/nonmoto-the-ice-woman-cometh/ http://www.fuzzygalore.com/2009/04/nonmoto-the-ice-woman-cometh/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:49:36 +0000 Fuzzygalore http://localhost/?p=10000328 We just returned from our vacation in Iceland last night. Pics and words to follow soon. Stay tuned!