Thread: Reykjavik (with pictures)

Reykjavik is the world’s most northern capital city and is home of almost half of Iceland’s population.





The name Reykjavik means “steam-bay” and the area lives up to its name with many volcanic vents that release sulfur scented steam.

We arrived in Reykjavik on Sept. 11, 2010 on the Jewel of the Seas. We rented a taxi for the day and took the tour called the “Golden Circle” which is a loop approximately 300 km or 186 miles into central Iceland. We start out by following one of the pipelines out into the countryside

and around Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.


Our first stop was Thingvillir National Park, a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance. On this site was held the first National Assembly.

It is the site of the rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that separate the Eurasian and North American plates. The plates are continuing to pull apart.




Continued below ....
Garry

We then rode a good while through beautiful countryside






to Gullfoss Waterfall which is in the River Hvítá. It’s actually 2 waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 36 feet and the lower on 69 feet.




In the distance you could see glacier ice fields.


Continued below ...

Garry

Our next stop was to view the Strokkur Geyer which erupts every 8-10 minutes.



It’s part of a geothermally active site, with various mud pools, algal deposits and other geysers beside and around it. The countryside in the area was beautiful.





We then made our way back to our ship through beautiful moss-covered mountains and valleys.





We sail away. I fell in love with Iceland and hope that I can come back for another visit someday.







Garry

Words cannot adequately describe what you have shown in pictures here, Garry!

Beautiful! Awesome!! I can understand why you would want to go back. Makes me want to go there for a first time.

Thanks Char. Of the two ports we visited in Iceland, I must admit I liked Akureyri best. Did you see that report? I might have posted it while you were cruising.

Garry

Garry, love your pictorial reports on Iceland!

Thanks so much!