Day 11 Iceland
This was a fine day with a high
temperature of 65ºF
and clear sky. Highlights were to be visiting Thingviller (again),
Gullfoss and Geysir. This time it would be by bus with 35 others.
0845 we were underway.
South
of Reykjavik, out in the countryside, we stopped at a modern complex
which uses the local geo-thermal energy (steam from the earth) to
power turbines generating electricity for the region. This is “ON”
for Orka Náttúrunnar.
What
followed was several kilometers of driving through the countryside
looking at horses, sheep and hills, mountains, some greenery and a
few villages.
At
Great
Geysir (pronounced Geezer) we stopped for lunch at a hotel after
which we crossed the road for the Great Geysir. Here there are many
bubbling pools of hot eater, steaming and sending forth bubbling and
belching sounds. The sulfur smell was there too, though not heavy.
The Great Geysir shoots into the air about every 7 minutes with a
whooshing sound, misting over anyone downwind. I did not get a still
shot of that but did manage to get a little video. So many people are
here (and so many languages about) that it is difficult to get a shot
without people and videos have audio of people “oohing”
and chattering. This is a national holiday to the number of people
out and about is greatly increased. We had 45 minutes to walk the
area and wait for Great Geysir. Back to the bus again.
Then
on to Gullfoss
(I love these names) to take in the great waterfalls. We again joined
the flow of other tourists, down a long flight of steps to walk along
the top of the gorge to an overlook just below the upper falls.
Impressive beauty and power. Majestic. Damp. (See also
http://www.gullfoss.org ) Then
the climb back up the steep stairs and back on the road.
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| Gullfoss |
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| Gullfoss lower |
Thingville
came up next. The same as we visited yesterday, though today we
proceeded directly to the great split of the rocks, a ravine, and
walked down through that, stopping at the site of the oldest
Parliament, then viewing the waterfall and pool where a long time ago
women were drowned for
certain
violations of the culture.
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| the earth split |
 |
| falls and drowning pool |
 |
| site of the oldest operating Parliament |
Back
to the city, dash aboard, untied and sailed away. Long day.
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| golf |
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| View of Reykjavik from the sea |
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| view from our deck while in port |
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