ICELAND

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Reykjavik; Population - 320,000; Currency - Iceland Krona MORE ICELAND

Thoughts of glaciers, icebergs, geysers, the midnight sun and really expensive beer enticed me to Iceland. I missed out on the midnight sun but it's a top destination (and the beer was cheaper than I anticipated).
It's just over an hour to fly from the Faroes Islands to Reykjavik, and after a 20 minute walk from the airport I was at my city centre accommodation - August 2008.

1000 Icelandic Krona

A view of Reykjavik and the North Atlantic from the Perlan

Inside the Perlan is the Saga museum, which displays the history of Iceland - Reykjavik

One of the huge water tanks that make up the Perlan - Reykjavik

The Radhus, home to the City Hall, overlooks the Tjornin lake - Reykjavik

A walkway over the Tjornin lake to the Radhus, Reykjavik

Ducks preening themselves on a Sunday morning at Tjornin, Reykjavik

In late August the sun sets around 10.30pm - Tjornin, Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja is a very imposing church in central Reykjavik

Go to the top of Hallgrimskirkja for superb views of Reykjavik - this photo shows Tjornin and surrounds.

Leifur Eiriksson, the first European to 'discover' America in the 11th century, stands outside Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

Nautholsvik beach is warmed by natural thermal waters - Reykjavik

A great place to experience bathing in thermal volcanic waters (in addition to the Blue Lagoon of course) is at Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik.
In the foreground is one of 4 bathing pools which range in temperature from 38 to 44°C.
There's a steam bath, and the swimming pool is also heated.

I need to follow this - Reykjavik

The Sun-Craft sculpture overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Reykajvik

On Reykjavik's main shopping street, Laugavegur

Chin up mate - Reykjavik

Reykjavik's harbour and the base for whale watching trips from the city

Doing a bit of window shopping? Reykjavik

The Alpingi is Iceland's parliament
To the right is the country's cathedral, Domkirkja - Reykjavik

An excellent Reykjavik cultural festival kicks off in this street.
There were many live bands playing for free around the capital.

My YouTube video here

I've never watched a live band in a shoe shop before - Culture Night, Reykjavik

DJ's play in the main shopping district of Reykjavik on Culture Night

The sun sets near Reyjavik harbour

On my way to Hofn the bus stopped for a break at Vik in southern Iceland. Here's a view of Vik's black basalt sea stacks

A hilltop church at Vik

The black sand beach on a stormy day at Vik

Hofn is located in south east Iceland and serves as a good base for exploring the eastern section of the magnificent Vatnajokull glacier

Low cloud creeps down the mountains at Hofn

Hoffellsjokull, a tongue of the Vatnajokull glacier, lies across the bay at Hofn

A close up of Hoffellsjokull as seen from Hofn

On the way from Hofn up to Joklasel, on the edge of the Vatnajokull glacier

Above the clouds at Joklasel lodge

A fantastic view from Joklasel of Skalafellsjokull glacier tongue, part of the Vatnajokull glacier

Dressed up in our racing gear, we set off for the snowmobiles on the Vatnajokull glacier - Joklasel

Ice, ice and more ice at Vatnajokull glacier

My YouTube video here

Looking down on Vatnajokull glacier

Vatnajokull glacier is the largest glacier in Europe (by volume). Underneath lie several volcanoes, the last to erupt being Grimsvotn in 2004. BBC report from 2004 here.

More about Iceland's volcanoes here and here

Snowmobiling on Europe's largest glacier was my favourite Iceland experience - beautiful views and messing around on a skidoo - Vatnajokull glacier

Feeling like a Ferrari mechanic in my gladrags - Vatnajokull glacier

Some big crevasses on Vatnajokull glacier - the snowmobiles follow a set path in order to avoid hidden splits in the ice

Lost in Iceland - Vatnajokull glacier

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2011 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.icetourist.is - Iceland tourist board

www.nat.is - scheduled bus services in Iceland

www.bustravel.is - scheduled bus services in Southern Iceland. In Icelandic only but it's easy to get the drift

www.re.is - tours and independent bus trips

www.icelandexcursions.is - day tours and longer

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.