I finally got to Iceland after thinking about it for 3 years. Hayes Travel in Bridport organised the short holiday with Titan Travel, and a friend and I left Crabbs Bluntshay Farm at 6.45 am on Monday 24th February by taxi and were safely delivered to Heathrow in no time. Here we had arranged “Assistance” for no extra charge and were taken in wheelchairs to each check point to have our hold luggage weighed, and then ourselves, our hand luggage and passports checked, and eventually arrived in the aeroplane before anyone else. Being pushed around like this did make me feel rather old, but it was so much better than walking all those miles through the corridors of the airport trying to find the right departure lounge!
The uneventful flight took just over two hours and we soon landed in Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport. We then met our minibus driver and guide Jonas who transported us to the Stracta Hotel where we were to stay for 2 nights. After a buffet dinner we went out to look for the Northern Lights, which didn’t appear, but later on we got a phone call from reception at 11 pm to tell us that something was happening, and to go to the best vantage place to see the Aurora Borealis. I discovered that photos of this were best taken with an up to date mobile phone and not with my every day Lumux camera with the flash on!
As I shall be writing a more detailed “report” later on I will only touch on some of the highlights of my Icelandic holiday. I was surprised to espy large greenhouses along the way which housed tomatoes and roses amongst other things! [1] We saw many gurgling hot springs and water spouts in the Great Geysir area [2] and walked alongside where the North American tectonic plate met the Eurasian one, which were gradually moving away from each other. [3]
We had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the warm [38 degrees] mineral rich geothermal water [full of silicone] in the middle of a black lava field at the Blue Lagoon. [4] The water is pumped up from 2000 metres below earth at 240 degrees C. It then has to be cooled to 38 not to roast people alive!
On the penultimate day we did a sight seeing tour around Reykjavik and at one point stood on a high vantage point to see some of the skyline of the city, one view featured our Fosshotel [four star] where we stayed for 2 nights. [5] Outside a very modern cathedral there stood an impressive statue of Leifur Heppni who discovered America! [6] [7]
I found the weather a lot warmer than expected and didn’t need my thermal underwear, nor my thick waterproof overcoat which cost a fortune. I also didn’t need to wear a hat, and several times I didn’t don a coat. Global warming is everywhere I guess!
