Reykjanesskagi

On January 29, three tour busses took off from the University of Iceland to show us the Reykjanes Peninsula. While driving we passed Kleifarvatn, the biggest lake in Iceland (in some parts it is 100m deep). There was an earthquake in 2000, and the lake began to shrink in size, but in 2008 the cracks closed up and rain refilled the lake. There are no rivers leading into or out of the lake, so it is all dependent on rain water!

Kleifarvatn, through the bus window

Our first stop was at some hot springs, called Seltún, a hot springs and sulfur springs area. Here there are a few signs explaining the phenomenon of hot springs, but our guide gave us a great overview. This area was supposed to be used for electricty years ago, but a hot spring exploded, changing their plans.

Seltún

Our guide showing us a new little hot spring that is forming, but that may never grow due to tourists trampling it.

Ice just centimetres away from boiling water!

So many pretty colours, and so much happening!

After traveling a bit more, we stopped to gather some volcanic rock. The rocks were black, grey, purple, orange, and even green. Some were smooth and looked to me what harded lava should look like, and some were rough amd looked more like coal.

Then we stopped at the Bláa lónið (Blue Lagoon) for a few hours. It was a really cold day, so the hot parts of the lagoon were very welcome! The water averages between 37–39 °C, and is the run-off of a nearby geothermal power plant.

After the Blue Lagoon, we stopped at a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was insanely windy, literally breathtaking. Since my obsession with birds in the country is a bit out of control, I decided that hugging a statue of one was appropriate.

The waves were unbelieveable, spitting sea foam all over us!

One of the pipes that run along the highways here. The water system in Iceland is really simple. There is one pipe that brings hot water into houses, and separate one to bring hot water from hot springs. It is difficult to drill into the earth, so the pipes lay on top of the rock.

Reykjavík, January 31

On Thursday, January 27, I took a walk around downtown. It is so peaceful at night, and feels incredibly safe - I feel safer walking alone here than I do home in Halifax!

The National Archives of Reykjavík

Downtown

A really neat door - but I'm not sure what this building is?

The new opera house/concert hall. Construction has been majorly stalled due to the recession.

Having a little visit with the ducks. All around downtown there are torches burning at night.

January 28:

The sun came out one day! Only for a few minutes, but it was quite the beautiful and welcome sight!

The city looked so weird in the sunlight!

January 29:

Þjóðminjasafn Íslands

On Wednesday, January 26, I went to Þjóðminjasafn Íslands - the National Museum of Iceland. I took about a million pictures, but I'll try to limit myself here:

Years ago, Icelanders believed that they traveled after death, so they were often buried with objects - weapons, money, jewelry, even horses. They found an entire board game, similar to chess, in one grave.

My friend Evan is in geology, as are many student studying here, so I have a new appreciation for how neat this is.

Typical graves

A medieval cathedral - it reminds me of the book Pillars of the Earth!

A pack saddle, for carrying hay and other goods on horseback

A muzzle for tying a calf to its stall, and two different kinds of ice spikes that would be attached to cows' feet to walk in the winter!

Two types of loincloths for rams to prevent them from mating - one made from wood, one from a horse's hoof. Then there are cow and sheep bells and hobbles placed on cattle and hroses, put on their  forefeet to stop them from running away. The spiked collar is to stop a calf from nursing all the time, and the other two things are used to kill cattle and sheep.

Old pole for icey walks, skis, ice picks for animals, showshoes, and skates

An old milker

Apparently the only weapon ever created by Icelanders. In 1944 Iceland cut off formalities with Denmark, but still had trouble gaining independence over their fishing grounds. Between 1950 and 1975, British trawlers would fish inside Iceland's limits, protected by British gunships. The Icelandic Coastguard used these trawl wire cutters to cut the wires of British trawlers fishing in Icelandic waters.

Old pictures taken in Iceland's first photobooth.

These were used in the last execution in Iceland, in 1830.

A drinking horn

Hallgrímskirkja & Ráðhús Reykjavíkur

On Monday, January 24 I took a stroll around the city, up to the big church that sits atop the hill downtown. "Hallgrímskirkja" (church of Hallgrímur) is absolutely stunning! Hallgrímur was a glergyman and a poet from Iceland. Construction on the church began in 1945 and ended in 1986. In 2008 the chruch underwent major reconstruction, adn the scaffolding was just taken down last year - I'm glad I came when I did!

A residential street leading up to the church

Icelanders consume the most Coke per capita in the world.. and they show their love proudly

Hallgrímskirkja

At 74.5 metres (244 ft), it is the tallest church in Iceland and the sixth tallest structure

Looking out over Reykjavík

Looking over the pond, with the University of Iceland to the left

Inside the church

The organ was unbelievable! It has 5275 pipes, is 15 metres tall and weighs 25 tons.

Midnight in June here would be so pretty

Had to stop for a little visit with my duck friends, of course

On Tuesday, January 25, I went to Ráðhús Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík's City Hall).

The side view of City Hall, with a fountain-type-thing to the right.

This topographical map of Iceland is 76 metres squared

This is Vestfirðir, or the West Fjords of Iceland.

The orange shows Keflavík and Reykjavík

The ridges are made up of 1 mm paper sheets glued together

It took four men working on it for over four years to be completed!

City Hall in the lovely fog

High-speed duck chase: This one ran the whole length of the sidewalk with his piece of bread, and there were so many others chasing him that he couldn't stop for even a minute to chew!

Reykjavík on a foggy night