Sunday, June 03, 2007
Part II of our trip was Reykjavik, Iceland (see below for Part I- Teresa and Ulrik's Wedding in Denmark). What a fascinating and beautiful country! Some facts you may or may not already know-- Iceland only has a population of around 300,000. Almost everyone speaks English, and there is almost no crime besides petty theft. (This was also the case in Denmark... we were amazed to see that in Denmark, parents would leave their sleeping babies in strollers on the sidewalk and go into stores to shop or restaurants to eat. ) While we were visiting, the sun was out 24 hours a day. The cold water that comes from their tap is pure spring water-- we drank so much of it!
I thought the Icelandic people were warm people, in more ways than one-- they seem really tough when it came to enduring the weather. While Mike and I were complaining about walking around in the wind and rain, Icelandic teenagers were out rollerblading and enjoying the fact that the sun was even out. We also went to the geothermal pool and couldn't stand to stay more than 15 minutes-- the water was warm, but it didn't compensate for the freezing rain and wind. We must have looked like such wimpy tourists :)
Mike went on a day-long flyfishing trip with a local guide. He caught 13 brown trout! Isabella and I returned to our guesthouse to find a delicious dinner of sauteed Icelandic trout on the table. We didn't consume 13 though! He gave some to his guide and our guesthouse owners.
Picture of the river where he fished (River Ellidaar)
Mike and one of his catches
We rented a car and drove outside of Reykjavik on what is known as the Golden Circle:
Thingvellir National Park- one of UNESCO's designated World Heritage Sites due to its historical significance.
We got up close to a geyser called "Strokkur", which is situated near a larger, dormant one called "Geysir" (Geysir is the oldest known geyser, and the English term is actually derived from the Icelandic one). We did see Strokkur erupt, as it does every few minutes. I thought the inactive picture (to the left) was cooler than the one of it erupting. The colors of the water and area surrounding it are incredible, and before it erupts, it's bubbling and pulsating, almost like a living being. However, it's much more awe-inspiring in person; the pictures just don't do it justice.
Gulfoss waterfall-- also very impressive. It was a cloudy day, but I hear that it's even more breathtaking when the sun is out.
One of the few pictures I have with Isabella (pretend the guy behind isn't there). This was at Gullfoss, and Isabella walked all the way from the car to the edge of the falls herself (holding our hands, of course). It took us about 15 minutes down relatively rocky terrain.
View of charming Reykjavik from the Hallgrimskirkja, the highest point in the city.
Finally, this isn't from Iceland, but it's too good to not share:
Our Isabella is the only princess in the world who can mow a lawn in heels!
I thought the Icelandic people were warm people, in more ways than one-- they seem really tough when it came to enduring the weather. While Mike and I were complaining about walking around in the wind and rain, Icelandic teenagers were out rollerblading and enjoying the fact that the sun was even out. We also went to the geothermal pool and couldn't stand to stay more than 15 minutes-- the water was warm, but it didn't compensate for the freezing rain and wind. We must have looked like such wimpy tourists :)
Mike went on a day-long flyfishing trip with a local guide. He caught 13 brown trout! Isabella and I returned to our guesthouse to find a delicious dinner of sauteed Icelandic trout on the table. We didn't consume 13 though! He gave some to his guide and our guesthouse owners.
Picture of the river where he fished (River Ellidaar)
Mike and one of his catchesWe rented a car and drove outside of Reykjavik on what is known as the Golden Circle:
Thingvellir National Park- one of UNESCO's designated World Heritage Sites due to its historical significance.
We got up close to a geyser called "Strokkur", which is situated near a larger, dormant one called "Geysir" (Geysir is the oldest known geyser, and the English term is actually derived from the Icelandic one). We did see Strokkur erupt, as it does every few minutes. I thought the inactive picture (to the left) was cooler than the one of it erupting. The colors of the water and area surrounding it are incredible, and before it erupts, it's bubbling and pulsating, almost like a living being. However, it's much more awe-inspiring in person; the pictures just don't do it justice.
Gulfoss waterfall-- also very impressive. It was a cloudy day, but I hear that it's even more breathtaking when the sun is out.
One of the few pictures I have with Isabella (pretend the guy behind isn't there). This was at Gullfoss, and Isabella walked all the way from the car to the edge of the falls herself (holding our hands, of course). It took us about 15 minutes down relatively rocky terrain.
View of charming Reykjavik from the Hallgrimskirkja, the highest point in the city.Finally, this isn't from Iceland, but it's too good to not share:
Our Isabella is the only princess in the world who can mow a lawn in heels!
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