2016 May in Iceland

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, had not been on our travel radar until we realized that Iceland Air allows up to a 7 day layover on any flight to Europe.  "Why not?" we said.  Hence, this 2016 trip to Norway added a week in Iceland up front.

Iceland has a population of ~ 330,000 with more than 200,000 of that population lives in the Reykjavik area.   Just to put things in perspective,Oslo in Norway has a population of ~620,000.  While Iceland is the world's 18th largest island it is slightly smaller than the state of Kentucky.  Nearly 63% of Iceland is tundra, thus the large population in the Reykjavik area.  Iceland was settled in the 9th century and has a colorful Viking history. The rift associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the European and North American tectonic plates, runs across Iceland from the southwest to the northeast.  Iceland has the most active volcano area in the world and  the largest waterfall and glacier in Europe. There are no polar bears in Iceland.  The artic fox is the only native mammal.  Reindeer and mink have been introduced.  We didn't see any reindeer, but think we saw one mink.

Reykjavik from the Hallgrimskirkja Church tower

Our Icelandic tour was a do-it-yourself trip.  We rented a car and visited the south, north and then west.  We spent two nights in each area and the last night near the Keflavik airport just south and east of Reykjavik. 


Our very first stop after picking up our rental car was the Viking World Museum.  We went there because it was close, they offered an inexpensive breakfast and all that Viking information would put us in the right frame of mind.  This reproduction of a Viking ship sailed across the ocean in 2000 to Newfoundland, Canada and then to the USA.  The boat was in the museum, but it was big and there wasn't enough room to back away and get a full photo.  This poster was much better.

One of the things the Vikings introduced to Iceland was the horse now known as the Icelandic horse/pony.  The breed is the only horse in Iceland and is kept pure by not allowing any horses to be imported.  The Icelandic horse is 5-gaited (walk, trot, canter/gallop, tolt and pace).  I went for a ride in the South.  We walked and then sped up to the tolt (smooth and quick).  The place where I rode  has 300 horses.  They are close enough to Reykjavik to get lots of tourists.  I rode with a group of 30.  A large group this early in the year.  Everywhere we drove we saw horses out in the pastures.  They are the only animal that stays out in the winter.  Locals said cows, chickens, and pigs were kept inside until it was warmer.  Temperatures were in the 40's so I don't get it.  They do raise horses for food as well, but we never saw horse on the menu.

Some of the horses at the Eldhestar riding stable

Horses we saw along our drive or where we stayed

Iceland position atop the rift between the North American and European plates is the cause for the volcanic activity.  Nearly 87% of all homes get their heat and hot water from geothermal.  Electricity is produced 74% hydro, 26% geothermal and less than 1% fossil fuels. 

Strokkur Geyser in the South

In the north:  Skutustadir crater, Namafjall thermal area, Krafla power plant

Volcanos create mountains, mountains trap snow and make glaciers, snow melts and comes down and creates waterfalls.  There were plenty to be seen.

Urridafoss (S), Gullfoss (S), Reykjafoss (N), and Godafoss (N)

As we drove the countryside we marveled at how neat the farms were.  The isolation in the rural areas was a bit like Montana.  Occasionally we ended up on gravel roads, but all the roads were in  good shape. 

Blue roof, red roof, green roof, grass roof

Along with water and geothermal comes hot pools.  We stayed away from the Blue Lagoon tourist spot and opted for the Fosslaug pool not far from our Farm Stay in the north and the back yard pool of our 1X6 Guest House in Keflavik. 

Both pools were a nice warm temperature

I mentioned our farm stay in the north.  We were on a sheep farm which had 300 sheep.  Many were giving birth.  We had a room in the "old" farm house.  Actually we had the house to ourselves since we were the only guests.  We took breakfast up at the main house and were shown the sheep barn.  They preferred the lambs to be born outside, but then took them in to let mother and lambs bond. 

Our Susuki Splash outside the farm house; Momma and newborns, David counting sheep without looking!

There were several things we noticed about Iceland.  There aren't many trees.  Apparently the early inhabitants cut them down and eventually left themselves with no wood.  They now are planting trees (more per person than any other country), but they are slow to grow.  They use drainage ditches extensively in their fields.  We were lucky not to experience anything more than a shower, but it must get quite wet there.  Everything was clean and neat.  No need for highway clean-up crews.  Many mountains were flat-topped.  Those must have been some mighty glaciers.

Rugged peaks vs. flat topped mountains

We enjoyed our week in Iceland.  The people we met were very friendly and English was commonly spoken so we didn't have language problems.  The places we stayed were mostly B&B type with a good breakfast included. 

Goodbye to Iceland from us and the Diety of Snaefellsas, Bardur