Thursday, July 20, 2006




We traveled by car around the entire country of Iceland on the outer highway known loosely as "The Ring Road". The interior of Iceland is uninhabitable, being wildly broken with barren rock-strewn volcanic fields, amazing craggy lava mountains and covered with glaciers. The thick turf is eroding in some places up in the highlands, where the sheep graze on impossibly steep hillfalls, picking their way with surefooted ease down cascading waterfalls and giant basaltic cliffs.

But out along the northern fjords, the scenery is lush. There are many farms along the coast, and the views are stunning out to sea. This photo is looking across the fjord to the outer finger penninsula of snow capped mountains near Akureyri, Capital of North Iceland. Akureyri is the largest town in northern Iceland, situated in Eyjafjörður fjord. The picture was taken at about 1 a.m. after the short-lived sunset - it never grew darker than this. After stopping earlier on at a little cafe/Esso station/grocery store and enjoying a lovely meal of Iceland cod and potatoes, we continued down the coast and pitched our tent that "night" in Akureyri just outside of town. Pure bliss.

7 comments:

Autumn Storm said...

"Pure Bliss" - certainly sounds it and it looks absolutely beautiful. Next year, what's say I come to Iceland for a day or two to meet you. :-)

Anonymous said...

YES,THAT TERM DOES SUM IT UP--we had NO idea of where the camp ground was,just sort of drove like we were guided,maybe i passed near there in the 70's--Beautiful Post--Thank You T,xoxoxo gb

Trée said...

Oh my, that is a gorgeous picture Terry. I'm looking forward to seeing about a million more like this that I know you took. :-)

Sar said...

That's a beautiful horizon. I enjoy vicariously visiting abroad through your words and images, Terry. Though I'm very much aware that I'm still in the insanely hot state of Virginia.

Minka said...

Home sweet home, soon i will be able to be swept away in your arms!

tsduff said...

Autumn, yer on! The plane from London is only 3 hours... Oh dear, I'm not sure a day or two will suffice!!

Anon - It doesn't matter where you go in The Land - it is all stunning. Pick a spot, any spot :-)

Trée - Oh, a willing captive, oops I mean audience for my home photos? Better sit down and bring plenty of popcorn... you don't know how big my stack is...!

Sar - It seems to me that you aren't one to sit at home at all!... (i.e. yacht cruise) The state of California is also insane hot at this moment, with no cooling end in sight for the weekend....

Ah Monika, it is refreshing to witness the abandon with which you love your country :-) How could you NOT miss it? I miss it and I've only been there twice!

Agnes said...

Fascinating!
Iceland should hire you to promote tourism. Every time I read your descriptions, I want to get on a plane!!