Scandinavia & Iceland - July 10 & 11 - Waterfalls and Langjökull Glacier
After disembarking the ship, we began touring in and around Reykjavik.
A field with round bales
July 10
We had the opportunity to see the special beauty of Iceland's Golden Circle, which encompasses many of Iceland's most famous landmarks.
First, we visited Thingvellir National Park, an historical, cultural and geological wonder. The Valley of Thingvellir is one of the only valleys in the world not created by a glacier or river. It straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is literally being pulled apart a few millimeters every year!
Thingvellir National Park
Sam walking ahead while I opted to stay back and take photos when I saw the people returning were all wet from the spray.
Ceci and Arnie Patterson
Our photo taken at Thingvellir National Park.
One more at another spot!
One last photo before leaving Thingvellir National Park.
More hay bales on the way to see the
Gulfoss Falls.
Gulfoss Waterfall (meaning "Golden Waterfall")
The Gulfoss Waterfall is a 105-foot double-cascade waterfall that plunges into the gorge below.
The people returning were wet from having gone for a closer look of the
Gulfoss Waterfall.
As the spray was beginning to cross over the path here, I opted to stay back while Sam and the Lisonbees (who had worn their jackets) continued on.
Using my zoom, I took this photo of Sam, Lisa, and Jim at the top where they are standing and overlooking the waterfall.
And looking the opposite direction, I took this photo and the next one while waiting for Sam to return from the waterfall.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Next we visited Strokkur Geyser, which spouts a 60-100 foot jet about once every five minutes."
We walked the path to see other smaller geysers.
Back for the next eruption of the big one.
Back to Revkhjavik
Sam
Our hotel room in
Reykjavik
Reykjavik* * * * * * * * * * * *
July 11 - Day 21 - Ice Cave
I am wearing my new sweater I bought in Iceland.
Lisa and Jim
Our adventure in an indoor man-made ice cave where visitors experience a glacial environment.
It was cool inside but impressive. I am wearing one of three sweaters I bought in Iceland.
Sam is not wearing the sweater he bought in Iceland, but he is carrying the SCOTTeVEST with multi hidden pockets he bought before we left home. I have a similar vest for ladies that I wore a lot but not every day.
Me peeking through a hole in the ice.
Icelandic Lava Show (in Vikurbraut)
The show began with a short opening from the host followed by a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism and why Iceland is such an active volcano island.
The highlight of the show was when everyone put on their security goggles and the hot lava started pouring down a chute. As the lava flowed over the ice, it started to bubble and crackle. There was a lot of heat radiating from the hot lava. When cooled, it became brittle. We were told the lava was recycled every 24 hours.
After the lava show, we had our photo taken with Michael Wilcox.
On our drive to the airport, we passed by Höfði House in Reykjavik - best known as the location for the 1986 Reykjavík Summit meeting of President Ronald Reagan of the United States and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. This meeting was an important step towards ending of the Cold War. Within the building, the flags of the United States and the Soviet Union are cross-hung to commemorate the meeting.A couple of more photos before leaving Reykjavik.
The building is an extension building of the government.
I am glad I finally got to visit Scandinavia, and it was nice to also add Iceland to our list of countries we have visited.
Our flight home had a six-hour layover in Minneapolis, so we were tired but happy to have Beth meet us at the airport in Salt Lake City and return home to sleep in our own bed Friday night, July 12th.
Reykjavik
The building is an extension building of the government.
