The Thaw and a Non-frozen Waterfall

Departing Reykjavik on a frosty clear early morning we spent a day in the air to Frankfurt, Dubai then finally Singapore. Yes welcome back to vivid colours after leaving our monochrome landscape. Where has all the white stuff gone? It is liberating wearing only a single layer of clothing now and our feet are being warmed by sunshine instead of being encased in 2 pairs of wool socks and snow boots. Our 2 days in Singapore relaxing a the Botanical and Orchid Gardens helped reality slowly return.
Norway and Iceland gave us the breathtaking beauty of the natural phenomenon of Aurora Borealis and an experience of exploring a winter wilderness. Farewell from Liz and Chris.

 Norway

 On deck in Norway

 Rooftop in Iceland

Iceland

Farewell to Iceland

More amazing scenery on the western peninsula called Snaefellsnes, and more wild weather - high wind, snow, sleet, hail and even occasional sunshine. All that can happen within 5 minutes. We saw fishing ports, visited the Viking Settlement Museum during a snow storm, went to a beach where Viking bones were found and massive rock formations. The rock statue represents a Viking. After driving around the peninsula, we returned to the southern side via mountain pass during another snow storm. The Jeep drivers did well to keep on the road. Finally arrived back in Reykjavik in very windy weather. Today we visited the famous Blue Lagoon where I was snowed upon whilst bathing in the warm silica rich water. What an adventure this has been!

Iceland 2

Yet more waterfalls, glaciers, snow and beauty. I saw the Aurora Borealis again last night at 1.30am, but due to the cold didn't stay outside long. Check out our accom half buried under the snow. This morning it was -13 degrees, rather a chilly start. We visited GullFoss, the Golden Waterfall, then on to Geysir, the place which gave the world the name Geyser. Hot springs surrounded by snow, quite a sight. We had an encounter with the Icelandic horse at a breeding farm, and a view of Mount Hekla which is a snow covered volcano overdue to erupt.

Welcome to Iceland

Reykjavik - the drive from the airport into to Reykjavik makes you wonder if you have landed on the moon - the landscape is so desolate. Are you sure this is Iceland? The iconic Hotel Borg in central Reykjavik is a beautifully restored 1930's Art Deco style and we were very comfortable for our 2 night stay. Next day was an orientation tour of this city with many highlights including the Hallgrimskirkja Church. 

Yesterday we set off in the 4WD super jeeps heading East to an area famous for black sand (volcanic lava) beaches. The jeeps ventured onto snow filled valleys, stopping at Eyjafjallajokull, the infamous volcano which erupted in 2010 grounding air travel for 2 weeks. It seems to be either glaciers, waterfalls or volcanos any direction you look in this part of Iceland. It snowed heavily overnight and is still falling this morning.

Today we headed further East passing Glaciers, Frozen waterfalls and lake, all with unpronounceable names about 20 letters long so we won't attempt them. Let the pictures paint a 1000 words. A walk to the tongue of a glacier was a highlight today, as was a hike up a mountain to view a frozen waterfall set in black basalt columns. We also saw icebergs in the ocean on a black beach surrounded by snow, and seals in a lagoon.

Great excitement at 9pm tonight Northern Lights were sighted - we enjoyed the free show up on the rooftop of the hotel.

Bergen to Oslo, Norway

The train journey from Bergen to Oslo passed through high snow covered mountains, past frozen lakes, frozen waterfalls, 182 tunnels, tiny villages and all the way it was snowing. Everything was so white! We arrive in Oslo mid afternoon so walked around the City along the long pedestrian mall up to the Royal Palace. Today we visited Vigeland Park which has a huge collection of human sculptures, again all the while it was softly snowing. Then on to the Viking Ship Museum, Folk Museum where we saw the traditional Stave Church (a wooden structure) covered in snow, then to the Fram Ship Museum and Kon Tiki Museum, all of which were very interesting. Later we visited the Town Hall where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented each year on 10 December. It is still snowing lightly, and at around 1 degree is remarkably cosy. Tomorrow we fly to Iceland.