Iceland

 

 

Iceland's Blue Lagoon Mineral Bath

TRIP TO ICELAND

My husband is a runner, and last week he ran Iceland's half marathon along with son Jason. 

 

Doug and Jason at the finish.

Good times for both of them, despite winds gusting to 40 mph.

 

Doug, Nila, and I did tourist stuff on Thursday and Friday before the race. We went to the Blue Lagoon for a hot mineral swim. 

 

Blue Lagoon photographer provided photos.

Went to Thingvellir to see the area where the North American and Euroasian tectonic plates are moving apart, which causes geothermal and volcanic energy.

 

Nila and I, between volcanic rock.

Saw the majestic Gullfoss waterfalls.

 

Nila and Doug at Gullfoss.

 Went to Öxárfoss waterfall. Water moves swiftly in Iceland, even in small streams.

 

With Nila at Öxárfoss waterfall

The marathon was just one of numerous events during Reykjavik's Culture weekend. The streets were unexpectedly alive with music—street musicians, some combos, some pop groups.

 

We happened upon concerts. At the Harpa, which is the city's concert hall and an architectural rarity, a chorus was performing a capella in the open lobby which has four balconies. 

 

We stood on the ground floor, looking up at audience.

The singers stood on separate balconies, the men on one and the women on another. At the conclusion, the audience joined the singers for what was obviously an Icelandic song. A beautiful experience.

 

Another unexpected event was an organ recital in the Hallgrimskirkja Church. The performer stunned us with overpowering music you could feel in your chest. 

 

The food is exceptionally good, no MacDonalds or Burger Kings. I loved the soups. Fish is a specialty. Food is expensive, for there are no fields for truck farming, only volcanic soil. They grow vegetables in greenhouses. 

Nila at restaurant that offered puffin and grilled whale.

Jason made it to the final concert and fireworks Saturday night, and I wish I had had the energy to be there.

 

Jason took this photo.

Although the language is Icelandic, we had no problems with English. On our return Monday, United Airline took us from Reykjavik to Newark, New Jersey (about 6 hours) and cancelled our connecting flight to Charlotte. We spent an unplanned overnight in Newark.