Iceland
Reykjavik
Monday, July 17, 2017
Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Jet lag, circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation - whatever you want to call it, it is a traveler's worst nightmare (or lack of nightmares or dreaming). In the northern reaches this time of year, its negative effects are amplified as the sun never sets and sleep is hard to come by. The only thing you can do is keep trying to return to a normal pattern of sleep and waking. Wearing your eye shades is the only way to try and trick yourself into thinking it's night.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Reykjavik main street
Canterbury's main street in Kent is what first comes to my mind as we walked the streets of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city. It's a big little town overflowing with tourists, restaurants, and shops. Perhaps the main difference between Canterbury and Reykjavik is the average BMI of the people wandering the streets.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Húsafell
A quote from an Icelandic travel guide: “The wider Borgarfjörður region is also renowned for its multitude of lakes where there is trout to be had and salmon to be lured in the many rivers where it is possible to go fishing.”
Okay, Húsafell (where we spent time today) was a great place to visit. The countryside is filled with magnificent volcanic mountains and gorges. It's also one of the few areas in Iceland where there are some trees. Of course, there are many waterfalls in Húsafell, but then waterfalls are prolific throughout Iceland. This is a great place to visit.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Horse riding in Búðardalur
After leaving our well-appointed, but remote, hotel in Sælingsdalsvegur we drove to the tiny hamlet of Búðardalur. Here we endeavored to ride the famed Icelandic horse.
The Icelandic horse was bred from ponies and taken to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries. The breed is mentioned in literature and historical records throughout Icelandic history. The first reference to a named horse appears in the 12th century.
Breioafjorour
We rode the wee beasties to the Breioafjorour, a fjord in the northwest region of Iceland. They seemed to be pleasant animals, though my horse did everything it could to grab a snack of grass at every opportunity. Well, who am I to stop a horse from eating its grass?