Vikings, Geology, Folklore, Puffins
Trip Start
Aug 04, 2008
1
3
12
Trip End
Aug 15, 2008
Vik, Iceland
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Vikings, Geology, Folklore, Puffins
Dear Readers:
Just as we are all becoming painfully aware of our energy dependence, it is refreshing to visit a country that has most of its energy needs met by renewable sources. Of course, they are conveniently located above a geothermal hot-spot! Our first stop today is at the Nesjavellir Power Plant, where geothermal pressure is utilized to turn turbines for electricity, and to provide hot water for home heating and bathing. It is an unexpected bonus stop on our itinerary.
Iceland has the oldest parliament in the world, coming together for its first meetings in the year 930. We visit the place where Parliament convened, which also happens to be in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are receding from each other, causing Iceland to grow a little bit larger each year. We are delighted to have a geology professor in our group, and his descriptions of the activity taking place heighten our appreciation of everything we see.
We commence our counter-clockwise circuit of the Island, stopping at a dramatic waterfall for a drenching hike behind the thundering drop. Lunch is a grab and go affair, which is perfect for long bus transfer days, and our next stop is a famous Folk Museum at Skogar, which has been the continuous collection work since 1945 of a man who is now 87, and who is venerated in the country. We were privileged to meet him in 2001, and he welcomes us again this year and plays the organ for us in the small church on the property. He looks exactly the same as he did seven years ago, and the museum collection has expanded dramatically with the addition of a museum of transportation.
We ascend the Dyrholaey Cliffs to see some amazing sea arches and a puffin nesting area. Finally, we stop at some dramatic basalt columns for a group photo before continuing to our hotel in the tiny village of Vik (less than 400 in population). Dinner is an excellent trout, that is thick, meaty and pinkish in color, making us think it is salmon when served. A souvenir shop that is open until 10pm is next to our restaurant, satisfying the shopping urges and capping a perfect day on tour!
Hugs,
Dan
