Category: Iceland

Iceland 2019 Part XI

The last of Iceland, next stop – GREECE!

Mountain Landscape, Gjábakkivegur, Laugarvayn, Iceland

Geothermal Activity, Haukadalsvegur, Geysir, Selfoss, Iceland

“Strokkur”, Haukadalsvegur, Geysir, Selfoss, Iceland

Hvítá River, Biskupstungnabraut, Geysir, Iceland (White River)

Old Farm Buildings, Biskupstungnabraut, Geysir, Iceland

Cloud Shrouded Snowcap, Tungufell, Iceland

Snowcapped Mountain Range, Tungufell, Iceland

Gullfoss, Ölfusá River, Tungufell, Iceland

Gullfoss means Golden Falls. It is on the Ölfusá River which is fed from Langjökull Glacier and has a drop of 32 metres in two stages.

Icelandic Countryside Transport, Gullfoss Car Park, Tungufell, Iceland

Vehicles like this are a common sight in Iceland and are needed to negotiate the Icelandic conditions in winter.

Iceland 2019 Part X

We finished our visit to the glacial lagoons and on our last day in Iceland we began with a drive to the Thingvellir National Park, site of the original Icelandic Parliament and also where there is a meeting of the earth’s tectonic plates.

 

All images are geotagged and hyperlinked to open full screen. To view them on a map, save the image to your hard drive and then download this FREE SOFTWARE. Install and click on the image in the left panel to view in a map as to the location where it was taken.  (SAMPLE VIEW)

(14 images stitched – Each image is 30,000 x 3,000 pixels – infrared filter applied in 2nd image)

View full size images – Colour – Infrared

Glacial Lagoon, Jökulsárlón, Austurland, Iceland

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Breiðamerkursandur, Jökulsárlón, Austurland, Iceland

(Glacial outwash plain – ice floes and icebergs from the nearby glacier can drift through a channel and into the ocean)

Mountain View from Breiðamerkursandur, Jökulsárlón, Austurland, Iceland

Monument aux Morts, Sudurlandsvegur, Kögunarhóll, Iceland

Erected in 2006 The crosses represent the 52 individuals who have lost their lives on the road between Reykjavík and Selfoss since 1972.

(Geothermal activity can be seen in the background)

Panorama, Sudurlandsvegur, Kögunarhóll, Iceland

Snow Capped, Þingvallavegur, Mosfellsbær, Iceland

Misty Panorama, Þingvallavegur, Mosfellsbær, Iceland


Snow Capped behind Thingvellir Tourist Information Centre, Þingvallavegur, Thingvellir, Iceland

Misty Panorama, Thingvellir Tourist Information Centre, Þingvallavegur, Thingvellir, Iceland

Sunrise, Thingvellir Tourist Information Centre, Þingvallavegur, Thingvellir, Iceland

Sunrise, Þingvallavatn, Thingvellir, Iceland

Thingvalla Church & Prime Minister’s Summer Residence, Thingvallir, Selfoss, Iceland

Site of the Icelandic Parliament, Thingvellir National Park, Thingvellir, Selfoss, Iceland

“Þingvellir” means assembly fields and in the year 930 AD, Iceland’s historic democratic parliament – one of the first in the world – was founded here. It was the site of the annual parliament of Iceland from 930AD to 1798AD, when the parliament moved indoors to the Althing in Reykjavik. Most Icelandic people regard Þingvellir as a sacred place, a place of great beauty and an incredible stepping stone in their history. It is also the site of the declaration of Iceland’s peaceful conversion to Christianity in around the year 1000 AD by the great Law Speaker, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði Þorkelsson,. A unique compromise was arrived at which made Christianity the official religion of Iceland.

The geological feature behind is the meeting of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Tectonic Geological Feature, Thingvellir National Park, Thingvellir, Selfoss, Iceland

Þingvallavatn , Thingvellir National Park, Thingvellir, Selfoss, Iceland

Snowcaps, Thingvellir National Park, Thingvellir, Selfoss, Iceland

Reflections, Þingvallavatn, Thingvellir,Selfoss, Iceland

Iceland 2019 Part IX

Continuing the drive Eastward beyond Vik we reached the glacial lake / lagoon Fjallsárlón which is at the south end of the Icelandic glacier Vatnajökull. Fjallsjökull which is part of the bigger glacier reaches down to the water of the lake and some icebergs are drifting by on its surface. We were lucky to be able to take a ride around the lagoon in a rubber Zodiac!

 

All images are geotagged and hyperlinked to open full screen. To view them on a map, save the image to your hard drive and then download this FREE SOFTWARE. Install and click on the image in the left panel to view in a map as to the location where it was taken.  (SAMPLE VIEW)

 

 

Iceland 2019 Part VII

Continuing the drive along the coastal road eastward toward the town of Vik and beyond.

All images are geotagged and hyperlinked to open full screen. To view them on a map, save the image to your hard drive and then download this FREE SOFTWARE. Install and click on the image in the left panel to view in a map as to the location where it was taken.  (SAMPLE VIEW)

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

Ocean View, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

Rock Bridge, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

Panorama, Vík í Mýrdal, Vik, Iceland

Vík í Mýrdal Church, Sunnubraut, Vík í Mýrdal, Vik, Iceland

Hillsides, Sunnubraut, Vík í Mýrdal, Vik, Iceland

Glacier, Þjóðvegur, Vík í Mýrdal, Vik, Suðurland, Iceland

Road Ahead, Þjóðvegur, Vík í Mýrdal, Vik, Suðurland, Iceland

Cloud Shrouded Mountains, Þjóðvegur, Laufskálavarða, Iceland

Road Bridge, Skaftártunguvegur, Katla Geopark, Suðurland, Iceland

Geirlandsvegur, Skaftárhreppur, Iceland

Rock Formation, Geirland, Kirkjubæjarklaustri, Iceland

“Church Floor”, Geirland, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland

“Church Floor” is a natural pavement of basalt. These are basalt columns in the earth, but only the tops can be seen, and as the name suggests, they have the appearance of a paved church floor. This lava formation has similar origins to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.

Snowcaps, Geirland, Kirkjubæjarklaustri, Iceland

Rocky Peak, Þjóðvegur, Hörgsland, Iceland

Small Waterfall, Þjóðvegur, Hörgsland, Iceland

Abandoned Hut, Þjóðvegur, Hörgsland, Iceland

Rocky Range, Þjóðvegur, Hörgsland, Iceland

Frozen Waterfalls, Þjóðvegur, Hörgsland, Iceland

Escarpment, Foss á Síðu, Þjóðvegur, Iceland

Iceland 2019 Part VI

We left Reykjavik and drove along the coastal road eastward toward the town of Vik.

All images are geotagged and hyperlinked to open full screen. To view them on a map, save the image to your hard drive and then download this FREE SOFTWARE. Install and click on the image in the left panel to view in a map as to the location where it was taken.  (SAMPLE VIEW)

Shows the route between Reykjavik and Vik, Iceland.

Iceland – Route taken.

House & Church, Rangarvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Cattle, Rangarvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Turf Shed, Rangárvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Waterway, Rangárvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Church, Rangárvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Turf Stores, Rangárvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Waterway, Rangárvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

New Arrival, Rangárvallavegur, Keldur, Iceland

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Þórsmerkurvegur, Hvolsvelli, Iceland

Rutshellir Caves, Drangshlíð, Iceland

Mountain, Skógafoss, Iceland

Skógafoss Waterfall, Skógafoss, Iceland

Mountain, Skógafoss, Iceland

Landscape, Þjóðvegur, Sólheimasandur, Iceland

Machinery Remnants, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

I have not been able to find any information regarding this, there were more than one about the place. I get the impression it may have had something to do with cables as in an pivot for running a cable to haul something. It is located atop a very high ocean edge cliff.

Reynisdrangar, Vik, Iceland

Reynisdrangar is the name given to the rock formations.

Arnardrangur, Reynisfjara, Vik, Iceland

Reynisfjara is the black sand beach and Arnardrangur the name of the rock formation.

Sea Cliffs, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

Rock Formations, North Atlantic Ocean, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

Kirkjufjara Beach, Vik, Iceland

Coastal Stretch, Dyrhólaey, Vik, Iceland

Iceland 2019 Part IV

The walk around the main streets of Reykjavik continues..

Te & Kaffi, Laugavegur 27, Reykjavik, Iceland

Bicycle Road Barrier, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Sakebarinn Sushi & Sticks, Laugavegur 2, Reykjavik, Iceland

Laneway, Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Red Door, Skólavörðustígur 3A, Reykjavik, Iceland

Door, Skólavörðustígur 5, Reykjavik, Iceland

Red Door, Hotel Óðinsvé, Skólavörðustígur 7, Reykjavik, Iceland

Door, Skólavörðustígur 9, Reykjavik, Iceland

Front Gate, Skólavörðustígur 25, Reykjavik, Iceland

Purple Door, Skólavörðustígur 29, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrímskirkja, Hallgrímstorg, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran (Church of Iceland) parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is one of the city’s best-known landmarks and is visible throughout the city. At 74.5 metres (244 ft) high, it is the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country. The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614–1674), author of the Passion Hymns.

Architect Guðjón Samúelsson’s design of the church was commissioned in 1937 and is said to have been designed to resemble the trap rocks, mountains and glaciers of Iceland’s landscape.

It took 41 years to build the church: construction started in 1945 and ended in 1986, but the landmark tower being completed long before the whole church was completed. The crypt beneath the choir was consecrated in 1948, the steeple and wings were completed in 1974, and the nave was consecrated in 1986. At the time of construction, the building was criticised as too old-fashioned and as a blend of different architectural styles. The church was originally intended to be less tall, but the leaders of the Church of Iceland wanted a large spire so as to outshine Landakotskirkja (Landakot’s Church), which was the cathedral of the Catholic Church in Iceland.

Leifur Eiríksson Monument, Hallgrímskirkja, Hallgrímstorg, Reykjavik, Iceland

The statue of Leifur Eiríksson (who is known in English as Leif Eriksson) was a gift from the United States to Iceland to commemorate the 1000 year anniversary of Alþingi, the parliament of Iceland first convened at Þingvellir in the year 930 AD.

Roof Balcony, Tækniskólinn – Skólavörðuholti (Technical School), Frakkastígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Public Toilet, Frakkastígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Steps to Door, Frakkastígur 26, Reykjavik, Iceland

Rear Door & Steps, Grettisgata 26, Reykjavik, Iceland

Doorway, Frakkastigur 11, Reykjavik, Iceland

Carving, Mónakó, Laugavegur 78, Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavik Cathedral, Pósthússtræti , Reykjavik, Iceland

Cathedral church in Reykjavík, dating back to 1796 is the seat of the Bishop of Iceland and mother church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, as well as the parish church of the old city centre and environs.

Bust, Reverend Bjarni Jónsson, Kirkjutorg, Reykjavik, Iceland

Bjarni Jónsson, minister in the Reykjavík Cathedral, ran for election to the post of President of Iceland in 1952. He was narrowly defeated by only 2.6% of the vote.

Skólabrú Restaurant, Skólabrú, Reykjavik, Iceland

One of Reykjavik’s finer restaurants, we had dinner here one night – they had Puffin on the menu!

1912 Guest House, Skólabrú, Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland 2019 Part III

Iceland continued with a walk around the main street of Reykjavik.

Statues, Saga Museum, Grandagarður, Reykjavik, Iceland

Harbour, Grandabakki, Reykjavik, Iceland

Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

(Laugavegur is the main street)

Fire Hydrant, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Old Iceland Restaurant, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Shopfront Mascot, Óðinn, Laugavegur 66, Reykjavik, Iceland

Óðinn = Odin (Souvenir Store)

Iceland Memories, Laugavegur 64, Reykjavik, Iceland

Gift Shop

Ísbjörninn (Polar Bear) Gift Store, Laugavegur 38, Reykjavik, Iceland

Sandholt Bakery, Laugavegur 36, Reykjavik, Iceland

Sculpture, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Kirkjuhúsið – Skálholtsútgáfan, Laugavegur 31, Reykjavik, Iceland

(Church House)

Dillon Whiskey Bar, Laugavegur 30, Reykjavik, Iceland

Shop Cat, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

This cat was wandering between different shops in Laugavegur.

Eagle Mural, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Public House Gastropub, Laugavegur 24, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hotel Room Balconies, Hotel Fron, Laugavegur 22A. Reykjavik, Iceland

Coloured Windows, Bravó, Laugavegur 22, Reykjavik, Iceland

Artistic Presence, Cnr Laugavegur & Klapparstígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Ítalía Veitingahús (Italian Restaurant), Laugavegur 11, Reykjavik, Iceland

Door, Litla Gjafabuðin, Laugavegur 8B, Reykjavik, Iceland

Magic Ice, Laugavegur 4, Reykjavik, Iceland

A Norwegian franchise that had just opened in Iceland. The ice-art gallery features sculptures that draw upon the Icelandic sagas and Viking history and the venue includes a pub with a bar carved out of ice.

Carving of Thor, “Thor”, Laugavegir 7, Reykjavik, Iceland

“Thor” sells all sorts of Viking-inspired paraphernalia as well as leather bags and Icelandic furs. It has a strong Norse mythology theme.

Rainbow Road, Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Galleri Korka, Skólavörðustígur 4a, Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland 2019 Part II

A Collection of signs etc..

To the Maritime Museum, Grandagarður, Reykjavik, Iceland

Old Iceland Restaurant, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Optometrist, 65 Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Vampire Mural. 64 Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

See in place here!

Lundinn Art Gallery, Cnr Laugavegur & Frakkastigur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Verslun Guðsteins Eyjólfssonar, Laugavegur 34, Reykjavik, Iceland

Mens Clothing Store

Chuck Norris Grill, Laugavegur 30, Reykjavík, Iceland

Dillon Whiskey Bar, Laugavegur 30, Reykjavík, Iceland

Mink Viking Portrait, Cnr Laugavegur & Bergstaðastræti, Reykjavík, Iceland

Where you can visit and transform yourself into a Viking for a photo shoot!

“Thor”, Laugavegur 7, Reykjavik, Iceland

Thor sells all sorts of Viking-inspired paraphernalia as well as leather bags and Icelandic furs. It has a strong Norse mythology theme.

Coffee Shop, Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

“Icelandic Lamb”, Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Gull & Silfur, Laugavegur 52, Reykjavik, Iceland

Translates as “Gold & Silver” – a jewellers

Svarta Kaffið, Laugavegur 54, Reykjavik, Iceland

Svarta Kaffið = The Black Coffee

Hárskeri Almúgans – Common Joes Barbershop, Laugavegur 62, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hárskeri Almúgans = Almougan’s Hair

Staff Kitchen & Bar, Laugavegur 74, Reykjavík, Iceland

Mónakó, Laugavegur 78, Reykjavík, Iceland

Eldsmiðjan, Laugavegur 81, Reykjavik, Iceland

Wood Fired Pizza

Harry´s Seafood and Grill Restaurant, Laugavegur 84, Reykjavik, Iceland

Jökla Icelandic Design, Laugavegur 94, Reykjavik, Iceland

Verslunin Kós, Laugavegur 94, Reykjavík, Iceland

Leather Goods Store

Stjörnuport, Laugavegur 94, Reykjavik, Iceland

Geysir Bistro, Laugavegur 96, Reykjavík, Iceland

Chatime, Laugavegur 100, Reykjavík, Iceland

Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink invented in Tainan and Taichung in the 1980s. Recipes contain tea of some kind, flavors of milk, and sugar. Toppings, known as “pearls”, such as chewy tapioca balls, popping boba, fruit jelly, grass jelly, agar jelly, alovera jelly, sago and puddings are often added.

Street Sign, Snorrabraut, Reykjavik, Iceland

Street Sign, Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland

FU K77, Icelandic Number Plate, Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

Warning Sign, Engihalli, Kópavogur, Iceland