Iceland, Part 1: We remembered to breathe…

The last two weeks of May Jan and I drove around the island country of Iceland. Many people asked us ahead of time “why do you want to go there?” and the answer was always the same: “Because of the nature.” And there is a lot of that on Iceland…

Skaftareldahraun Lava Field is miles and miles of moss-covered lava rock. I am amazed at how the moss has transformed craggy lava rock into soft pillows.

Skeidararsandur Sand Plains. Following a volcanic eruption in October 1996 under Vatnajökull Glacier, seen in the background, millions of tons of water and ice flooded over Skeidararsandur. The flood washed away large parts of the road and destroyed two bridges, the remains of one still visible. Some of the icebergs the flood carried with it were as large as three storey houses. The sheer volume of this natural disaster is hard for me to fathom.

Jökulsarlon Glacial Lagoon is a 180 m deep lagoon in which icebergs float on their way to the Atlantic Ocean. They break off enormous ice lobes and advance down deep valleys from the Vatnajökull glacier. The lagoon has been formed over the last century as the glacier has retreated in the warmer climate. Nature’s ice art is stunning.

Basalt columns at Reynishverfi. How nature can form these geometric shapes is beyond me even though I read the explanation on a sign!

The Alps of the Westfjords. Need I say more...?

The elevation of Hrafnseyrarheidi Moorland in Westfjords is 552 m and the view is spectacular.

An evening view over Bredafjördur from Stykkisholmur filled me with peace and serenity. This was towards the end of our trip and a good time to reflect on what we had seen and experienced.

To pick seven pictures from the 548 I kept of the 1496 Jan and I took together was not an easy task, hence the “Part 1” in the title. There will be more parts coming! To close Part 1, suffice it to say—Iceland’s nature is breathtaking.