First, Happy Birthday, Mary!!!
If the SE side of the island was a windy blast, this side is definitely the lee...sunny, only breezy, and delightfully warm- 8C at 10:00am.
This island- Drangey- is so far as close to puffins that we have gotten, or at least knowingly. I thought I saw some on the South side, but they were so far away I wasn’t sure. So, the search continures.
We drive by this church, meant to look like a volcanic crater. I see it!
This island- Drangey- is so far as close to puffins that we have gotten, or at least knowingly. I thought I saw some on the South side, but they were so far away I wasn’t sure. So, the search continures.
We drive by this church, meant to look like a volcanic crater. I see it!
We have NOT figured out what this sign means!🤫
I do declare...Everything is Bigger here!
We’re never too far from a waterfall. This one is Glanni waterfall. Locals believe elves and trolls live here. So, supposedly do salmon, who jump up these falls. We saw none of any of these, but are drinking in the sunshine! I’m shedding jackets...it’s a whopping 16C!
Still windy aloft!
We’re also never far from mountains, or lupine!
We keep hearing about ‘The Sagas’, so I figured it was time to learn about early Iceland history. During the ‘Settlement’ period, Vikings came over from Norway in the ships we’ e learned about a few weeks ago. They settled around 930AD to 980AD all around the island. The Sagas tell the (usually larger than life) stories of these first settlers. Some Sagas involve dragons, or bulls as big as mountains, but they also tell who settled where. Family trees of Icelanders are traced back to these Settlers! Not long after this period began the parliament, where new laws were decided, and old ones recited (until later, when they were written down).
Well...we’re getting closer! We found this one in a bird museum hanging out with a bunch of other migrants!
This morning we went down to a marshy lake that was close to our hotel. The bird population was impressive! whooping swans, Slovenic Grebes, Arctic Terns (which we’ve been warned about...they’ll peck your scalp mercilessly if you get close to their nest), and so many more that we’re unfamiliar with. It’s the height of the migratory breeding center, so it was amazing to hear the caucaphony of sound!
This morning we went down to a marshy lake that was close to our hotel. The bird population was impressive! whooping swans, Slovenic Grebes, Arctic Terns (which we’ve been warned about...they’ll peck your scalp mercilessly if you get close to their nest), and so many more that we’re unfamiliar with. It’s the height of the migratory breeding center, so it was amazing to hear the caucaphony of sound!
Icelanders are definitely good with tunnels! Here’s a 6k tunnel UNDER the fjord about 1/2 hour North of Reykjavík!
As we approach Reykjavík, even this far out, the traffic increases. This entire week, as soon as we got out of the main tourist area if the Golden Circle, we could usually pull out onto the road without waiting for any traffic. It got to the point we almost didn’t even have to look...but of course we did. Yes, the season is just starting, but it seems most people opt to stay for a much shorter time. I must say, I’m glad we took the road (much) less traveled!
Phew...full circle and back at our first hotel! We have a TV again! A heated towel rack! All the luxuries!
And now, out we go for our evening adventure. We have a surprise in store....stay tuned!!!
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