Iceland- January 2024
This time we visited Iceland in the winter.It was A bit different but still very enjoyable. We saw from the plane that snow and ice was everywhere.
This time we visited Iceland in the winter.It was A bit different but still very enjoyable. We saw from the plane that snow and ice was everywhere.
Monday
Nice journey to our hotel. We took the Flybus from the Airport.
Note the coach takes you to the BSI station. Where you can change on to a mini bus which takes you to your hotel. We stayed at the Centre Plaza. Which was fine and was in a great position.
That night we took a Northern Lights tour.
Nice journey to our hotel. We took the Flybus from the Airport.
Note the coach takes you to the BSI station. Where you can change on to a mini bus which takes you to your hotel. We stayed at the Centre Plaza. Which was fine and was in a great position.
That night we took a Northern Lights tour.
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The tour was a let down. The lights were a gamble. No one can predict when and where you can see them.
No joy at all. The company took us to three different places. Very cold and lots of snow.
We were offered another tour but all other days were affected by the weather.
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Tuesday
Hallgrimskirkja was our first stop. Really enjoyed our last visit to the church.
It`s 74.5 metres (244 ft) tall. The largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country.
The shape of the building is unique. Everybody has there idea but I thinks it looks like a ghost. Special inside and there is a viewing platform. It is six pounds to get to the top but well worth it.
Hallgrimskirkja was our first stop. Really enjoyed our last visit to the church.
It`s 74.5 metres (244 ft) tall. The largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country.
The shape of the building is unique. Everybody has there idea but I thinks it looks like a ghost. Special inside and there is a viewing platform. It is six pounds to get to the top but well worth it.
View from the top of Hallgrimskirkja
One of the main streets in downtown Reykjavík has been dressed up in the colors of the rainbow to celebrate Reykjavík Pride.
Above is Rainbow street
One of the main streets in the capital. It`s real name is Skólavörðustígur. It`s the street that leads the way to the famous church. Hallgrimskirkj
The colours are to celebrate their LGBTQ-friendly community.
Reykjavik has hosted a Pride event each year since 1999.
One of the main streets in the capital. It`s real name is Skólavörðustígur. It`s the street that leads the way to the famous church. Hallgrimskirkj
The colours are to celebrate their LGBTQ-friendly community.
Reykjavik has hosted a Pride event each year since 1999.
Tuesday`s lunch.
Afternoon Braud & co.
If you are ever in Reykjavík you must visit a little bakery with delicious pastries. The cinnamon roll are fresh and delicious, made with an excellent dough and full of flavour. Friendly staff.
If you are ever in Reykjavík you must visit a little bakery with delicious pastries. The cinnamon roll are fresh and delicious, made with an excellent dough and full of flavour. Friendly staff.
You will fly into Keflavik Airport The main airport in Iceland, located in the northeast of the country.
Arnarhvoll - Reykjavik
Huge 1990 stainless-steel sculpture of a boat by Jón Gunnar Árnason, set on granite beside the sea.
Harpa concert
We were so lucky. When walking along the seafront we witnessed a Humpback whale. We had seen it further over in the bay while we were walking from the Harpa concert hall to the Lighthouse. We saw it from across the bay. A whale watching boat started to chase. After a while the ship returned to the harbour. So we thought that was it.
Then we saw the whale spouting air. Getting closer and closer.
Didn`t really see it for a while. Then out of nowhere the whale
swam closed to where we were and jumped out of the water.
A car braked and two well dressed men jumped out. They shouted
did you see that. A whale- a whale. By this time Mrs B was jumping up and down and the passengers in a sightseeing bus were banging the window.
The Humpback swam close to the shore. Then disappeared. After a while we saw the whale futher out in the bay.
The two gentlemen got back in their car and drove away and we kept looking until it was time to go to the hotel.
Sorry no images of this event.
Then we saw the whale spouting air. Getting closer and closer.
Didn`t really see it for a while. Then out of nowhere the whale
swam closed to where we were and jumped out of the water.
A car braked and two well dressed men jumped out. They shouted
did you see that. A whale- a whale. By this time Mrs B was jumping up and down and the passengers in a sightseeing bus were banging the window.
The Humpback swam close to the shore. Then disappeared. After a while we saw the whale futher out in the bay.
The two gentlemen got back in their car and drove away and we kept looking until it was time to go to the hotel.
Sorry no images of this event.
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lighthouse in Reykjavik
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At 4pm we went to our sister hotel. Center hotel Arnarhvoll.
It was happy hour. Prices were down to Scottish prices.
We took the lift up to the Sky bar. Great for whale spotting.
It was happy hour. Prices were down to Scottish prices.
We took the lift up to the Sky bar. Great for whale spotting.
The Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre is one the most famous landmarks in Reykjavik. Henning Larsen, a Danish architect, designed this stunning building.
Wednesday South Coast of Iceland Tour
After breakfast we walked to the bus stop 1 to join Reykjavik Excursions 10 hour tour of the South coast.
As always a mini bus takes you to the main bus station
where the coach was waiting. The journey began by leaving the city and driving south east.
As always a mini bus takes you to the main bus station
where the coach was waiting. The journey began by leaving the city and driving south east.
South Iceland is special in that it is one of the flattest regions on the island. Miles of barren land only suitable for growing grain.
We did see some horses. Who seemed to be ok in the harsh weather.
Rather them than me.
We drove passed the Volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Which affected air traffic in 2010.
After about one hour and a half we stopped for a break. This was our first experience of really icy carparks. They got worse as the day went on. It was cold but under foot it was bad.
The high mountains to the north, shielded us from harshest northern winds.
We did see some horses. Who seemed to be ok in the harsh weather.
Rather them than me.
We drove passed the Volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Which affected air traffic in 2010.
After about one hour and a half we stopped for a break. This was our first experience of really icy carparks. They got worse as the day went on. It was cold but under foot it was bad.
The high mountains to the north, shielded us from harshest northern winds.
Next up was the Skógafoss. You can see it from a distance. Amazing site.This most picturesque of all waterfalls is something of a film star, having been used as a backdrop in films such as Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
What a sight
Back on the bus. Our guide tells us next up is Reynisfjara black sand beach. It is one of the most spectacular beaches in Iceland. but is dangerous due to the powerful sneaker waves. We were told not to go too close to the water. It can be deadly our guide advised us. We saw for ourselves how fast the waves come ashore.
Got my boots a bit damp.
Got my boots a bit damp.
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Black beach famous for it`s sneaker waves.
Back on the bus and we travel along the Ring Road on the South Coast to the village of Vik for lunch. Another skating experience to get to the shopping complex.
Back on the bus and we travel along the Ring Road on the South Coast to the village of Vik for lunch. Another skating experience to get to the shopping complex.
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Solheimajokull was amazing. A 15mins walk along a very good path. The near you get the more spectacular it gets. Really enjoyed this part of the tour. The pictures don`t do it justice. The Sky blue ice berg were stunning. jokull means Glacier in Icelandic.
Our final stop is Seljalandsfoss. Another super waterfall. This has been in several music videos and movies. Bjork, who is from Iceland, has featured it in a number of the movies she’s worked on. Justin Beiber was seen standing around it, and several glaciers in Iceland, in his “I’ll Show You”
Sadly we could not walk round due the winter condition.
Sadly we could not walk round due the winter condition.
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South Coast of Iceland Tour
Thursday
Sad to say today we are headed home. Fly bus to Airport.7.30 .Back to Glasgow 10.00.
Journey home .Weather very bad . Had to get a taxi to Airport. Buses off due to wind. Luckly we shared with an Australian couple. The driver was crazy but got us there.
Just got to gate on time.
Sad to say today we are headed home. Fly bus to Airport.7.30 .Back to Glasgow 10.00.
Journey home .Weather very bad . Had to get a taxi to Airport. Buses off due to wind. Luckly we shared with an Australian couple. The driver was crazy but got us there.
Just got to gate on time.
We had a great time in Iceland. The trip was too short but hope to return in the future.
