Guilty - I am guilty of reposting this picture. It is I think one of the best pictures I've ever taken - and when I was looking at it I felt so overwhelmed by it and the memories it invoked I had to just put it out there once more. Westmannaeyjer, Iceland is a place I'd love to live. My Sweetie's Auntie grew up there - Rosa & Gunnar were reminiscing last time we were in Saltjarnanes, Iceland about it. I have memories of our trip - I was seasick ad nauseum along with a few other folks as we rode a boat over to the island off the southern coast of Iceland in a storm. The several hour trip left me weak from throwing up, but I was in good company as a few others suffered the same difficulty (we were partners in close-quarters-throw-up tales) :) This land we arrived at was nothing short of spectacular, with views that took away one's breath, and wildlife (PUFFINS, did you HEAR ME - LIVE PUFFINS!!!!) such as PUFFINS, Oyster Catchers, to name a few...it was grand. The best thing was all of the volcanic evidence. We climbed a recent volcano, viewed the old houses which had been spared by the volcanic eruption and devastation in the 70's, and generally fell in love with the island. Dang - if only I were a fisherman - I could make a living there. The only other business which took my fancy there was a fabulous store which featured Polish Pottery. The entire outside of the shop was composed of handmade mosaic, made from the very Polish Pottery which the shop owner sold. Truly amazing. I crave that pottery today - I have many pieces of it and it is all so expensive I don't know why I pop for it.
Just have to say, I'd move there in a heartbeat, the view was beyond stunning, the smell of the ocean could sustain a person beyond all thoughts of food, and a crow could find her soul there...
26 comments:
Another place I'd really love to visit!
That picture is worth posting several times! Maybe even as a background for the blog if we could ever figure how to do that sort of thing.
beautiful, simply beautiful. I think I have already put dibs on a nearby house on an island.
Great photo and the rocks are so light for Iceland.
that is a gorgeous photo and all the more special since it has those memories with it. i'm glad you reposted and shared the story.
The picture is beautifual and I never saw it before, so repost away.
I have never been to Vestmannaeyjar. I would love to go there sometime.
It was the place that Icelanders stopped the flow of a volcano with the help of the Americans...who loaned them high power hoses.
That´s one of the things which is still on my Iceland-TO-DO-list.
another place i'd like to visit someday..and just a beautiful picture...
was a nice visit,even if we did sleep in the car...XoXo
That's a grand pic of a grand place. Good lesson in sustainable living, that Iceland.
It is a great picture but better than the picture are the good memories. There are special moments in our life we remember forever.
I was seasick once but it was on an ore boat and i threw up unitil I got to dry heaves and then went right on trying. In fact this is a memory I try to repress.
It is indeed gorgeous and worthy of reposting.
I never saw this photo before so am very glad you re-posted it. Beautiful.
Your seasick description put me in mind of a 5 hour ferry crossing from Oban on the Scottish mainland to Barra the most southerly of the populated Outer Hebrides.
Keep that "living in Iceland" thought in your head. Maybe retire there? : )
Move here and pretend your in Iceland.. That photo is spectacular wow.. Did you take the one below too it's haunting my kind of photo....
Wow, that's an amazing view. So serene and kind of alien.
I came by earlier and couldn't get your comments page to open. Now it's working just fine.
:-)
That is such a gorgeous place. What divine scenery!
It is so serene. Your description makes me want to see it myself! I would have been barfing right alongside you. I get seasick very easily.
Ranger Tom - It is better than Purgatory :)
Tom and Icy - I tried to put it on my MySpace page - but then I forgot my password so MySpace would let me access my own page any more :(
Long Grey Squirrel - you and I both!!!!
Doug - There are so many types of rocks there - the red volcanic pumice was so light and sharp - we slept in the car that night right about where that picture was taken. The lighter rocks are much older - making up the outer island of that big island. The cliffs there were weirdly pocked with cavelike holes, in which many seabirds (not the puffins) found nesting accommodations. The water was so lush and green - it reminded me of the Jungle Safari Ride at Disneyland - only colder and no crocs. No Penguins either.
Lime - I feel kind of foolish re-reading my post; it was rather childish and silly. But the truth is, it WAS so spectacularly beautiful there I can't dispute it.
Nessa - If ever there was an exotic scene for your amazing writings, this is it. Just think: Jenny could wear a parka.
Mo'a - I can remember reading about the volcano when it blew up in the early 70's - but I never knew I would actually have the privilege of seeing it for myself! It was more stunning than I imagined.
SOe - It is a good overnight trip - drive down to the ferry and take the night boat. Hike around and come home the next day. Very very nice trip - I recommend it highly. GO in the late spring when you can see the puffins - (see that far off green island? They nest there in the ground).
Yellowdog Granny - Nothing wrong with the beautiful Country of West Texas - but if you ever have the opportunity, do go to Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland :)
Anonymous - Who needs a guesthouse when you can sleep among the lava? :) xoxoxoxo
Ecorover - You have that right! Their floors are heated with geothermal hot water, as are their soccer fields, driveways and pool/bath water. It is a dream come true. (You DO learn to ignore the sulfur smell of the water as it cleanses your body - the smell doesn't linger on you :))
Yur ore-boat story sounds like my pregnancies - sick sick and more sick. It was just something that happened over which I had zero control - oh well. Where was your ore boat comeing/going? It sounds interesting.
Weirsdo - Mrs Anne could put up this scenery in her mansion and be touted as a world traveler.
Actonbell - I watched a documentary about Emily and Actonbell last night (sleep eluded me all night long) and I thought of you. This scenery was one of the most amazing, moving, gasping/mind-blowing experiences I have ever had. Most of the entire land of Iceland is stunning, but this place took my cake.
SJW - You bet I'm keeping it in mind... ever single day. We have so many "maybes" picked out - places that normal Icelanders wouldn't live because they are only summerhouses... but we are pretty easy. I never give up hope. Of course, knowing I'll never be able to afford retirement does pose a bit of a problem...
Sister Celtic - Yes, it is indeed a fabulous place. The picture just points and shoots - it the actual scenery which makes it what it is. Anyone could take such a photo.
The picture below it is a reservoir I like to walk at - nearby - I went walking early one morning and caught the sun coming up through the dense fog over the mountain. It was perfect.
Michelle - Truly it was one of the most fabulous scenes I've ever experienced, ever. The contrasts between all the ground mediums, waters and sky colors just blew my socks off. My eyes were so dazzled I almost flipped out.
Jamie Dawn - I decided after that trip, that barfing was no hardship. It was worth every single heave - just to see the final destination. Truly I felt just fine after departing the vessel :) It isn't like pregnancy morning sickness you know - only lasts a few hours LOL :)
The thing to do with sea sickness is to be on deck. I suppose you've heard that before, but it's true. It's the cabins that get to you.
PUFFINS!!!!
We've seen razorbilled auks a couple of times on Gotland, which was really exciting too. There were probably some of those on Iceland keeping the Puffins company.
The picture is beyond words.
Puffins!! Live Puffins!! Yet another reason I yearn to visit Iceland.
What a wonderful tale, and a gorgeous picture!!
That is lovely and I am glad you reposted it as I have never seen it before.
Wow that's beautiful!
Found you through Ranger Tom's blog. Hope you don't mind me dropping in!
It truely looks like a magical, mysterious place that I too would love to visit. Perhaps not live there but I could sure go back and visit many times.
Great photo, I love the shadow here and the sunshine over there.
I wouldn't want to be a fisherman but a sailor! I'd have cheering lovers in every harbour, and I'd bring gifts to them from my travels.
?????? you still there?????
Jeanne - I suppose I'm doomed to be seasick where ever I am. I've been ill over the side of a little dory, as well as over the rails on the ferry outside on the windy deck. I do agree with you that the fresh air is much better than slamming down over the brass mouth of the ship's toilet - anything is better than that ha ha.
Those Auks look like Puffins - think they are related?
ARTANDSOUL - Thank you for stopping by my blog and welcome! Iceland is the best destination one could have.
DJKirby - I shall most likely keep reposting this picture until I no longer have a blog. It is the most stunning place - truly - which I've ever been or seen. I like looking at it.
Big Daddy - Nice to see you here. Any friend of Ranger Tom's is welcome here. :)
Photowannabe - For me the lure of living there is very strong. My Sweetie's relatives are there, and of course he was born there. I wonder how I would do in the constant darkness of the sunless winter months - but somehow I think I could learn to love it.
Ariel you crack me up! A lover in every port - eh? Seems like I've heard that theme before... (i.e. Ricky Nelson's "Travelin Man"...) LOL
Anonymous: You know where I am :)
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