Pix

O.k. so that last one is what we WISHED we'd seen!

Wrapping it up in Iceland

It is amazing how much we could cram into a 5 day visit here! We fly home this afternoon after seeing a full compliment of sights in this strange, geothermic and volcanic-formed land. Prices high as they struggle to pull out of their  financial crisis, weather cold, but people warm and friendly. Enjoyed a soak in the famous Blue Lagoon yesterday - sleet pounding down on our heads, (then sun!), but our bodies dunked down in the hot water, applying silica to our faces for a beauty treatment. Back in town, we walked the wharf last night to find the organic Icelandic Fish and Chips restaurant.
We can check off waterfalls, geysers, mud pots, Continental Rift, soaking in two geothermal spas, Icelandic horses, exploring city sights, and one  very weak and colorless sighting  of the aurora. Meeting a wonderful family (father and three adult daughters) from Toronto, as well as folks rrom New zealand, Belgium and good ol' Ft. Collins, made the trip extra fun.
All in all, a successful adventure : )
Lainey and Linda

In search of the Aurora...

Enjoyed a relaxing day exploring Akureyi yesterday after seeing the "trick or treaters" off. Though it is clearly still winter in Iceland the  sun made its appearance as we had our free day to walk around town, browsing the big book store, taking a great "soak" at the municipal pool and spa, all supplied by the geothermal riches of the area. We're making  great friends as we go along, from Ft. Collins to Toronto to New Zealand and Belgium. One of the gifts of travel!
Having had only a slight teasing of the aurora on Tuesday night (I'll need to resend Tuesday's blog), we went in search of the lights again last night. Two nights of cold wind  and clouds, with disappointing results, though the skies cleared enough for us to see magnificent stars and the Milky Way. Home at 1:00 a.m.
Another 45 minute flight back to Reykjavik today in time for a full 6 hour afternoon excursion out to the Golden Circle - including a national park (UNESCO) to view the tectonic plates of the American and Eurasian Rift and the valley, the spectacular Gullfoss (Golden waterfall), and the geothermal Geysir area. All this in a wintry backdrop - beautiful and pristine. Returning to our Icelandair hotel, we are relaxing tonight with a warm supper of bouillabaisse, beer and bread!
Good night!

Ash Wednesday in Akurayri

Today is a holiday in Iceland - Ash Wednesday - so school is out and children, dressed in "Halloween costumes, have been coming to the hotel in teems, singing for the staff and recieving  healthy treets. The winning team gets a pizza. Some problems getting yesterday's blog published. It was a wonderful day in the wilds. I will work on my tech skills!

The longest day...sightseeing in Reykjavek

It's a 7 hour overnight flight from Denver to the Keflavik Airport, still an hour outside Reykjavik, Iceland, so we arrived dark and early this morning. Vowing to stay awake for our first day, our jet-lagged bodies did a major sight-seeing walk all over the city! The predicted rain held off so we could do a  harbor walk to the new glass performing hall/concert complex. A masterpiece in space and light, designed by a Norwegian architect! The other iconic structure is the  Hallgrimskirkja (church), a very contempoary concrete structure, resembling the basalt from volcano activity years ago. I suspect we will be witnessing nature at it's most formative stage here in Iceland. Enjoyed real "Icelandic" food at a favorite cafe, chatting with other tourists, this afternoon.

Lainey and Linda on our way Sunday March 2nd

Can't wait to get there!