Iceland’s electricity is produced almost entirely from renewable energy sources: hydroelectric(70%) and geothermal (30%).
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- Our Country Walkers tour went around the edge of Iceland, hiking about 4 to 9 miles per day.
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- That would be me on the North American and Michèle on the Eurasian tectonic plates. Iceland is the only place in the world where the plates meet above ground.
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- Öxaráfoss waterfall, actually human-made by a centuries old river diversion. The name, according to folklore, came from an Ax that killed a notorious and a very unstable female troll famous for killing and terrorizing visitors.
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- There ARE plenty of female trolls in Iceland.
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- Geysir geothermal field has “Strokkur” which goes off about every five minutes. This place is the origin of our word “geyser”.
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- Gullfoss, or Gold Falls is the largest and most awe-inspiring falls in Iceland. It’s free flowing, unharnessed in any way.
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- Our cheeky bar at Hotel Rangá in Hella.
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- Mike and Michèle climbing behind Seljalandsfoss, and getting soaked in the process!
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- Sure-footed sheep grazing right above the waterfall.
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- BEFORE: Farm at the foot of the glacier topped volcano during the 2010 eruption that lasted for six days.
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- AFTER: Fortunately, the farm has recovered. Owned by the same family since 1906. Dairy, meat and grain operations are now back in full swing.
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- True black sand in Vik, Iceland’s southernmost village.
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- Mike and I “braving” the brutal southern coastal wind. These Icelanders are a hardy bunch.
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- Icelanders self-identify as 80% Lutheran, 10% atheist, and a smattering of other religions.
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- On the road to Ingólfshöfòi riding over sea washed volcanic sand.
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- Our destination is that delta on the horizon, nesting grounds for dozens of bird species.
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- Our first puffin soared gloriously right in front of the cliffs.
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- Puffins have serrations in their mouth, allowing them to hold slippery fish crosswise in their beaks.
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- On my belly photographing the puffins. I could have stayed here for hours.
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- A mouthful of herring will satisfy the belly of her chick, or puffling.
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- Puffins are very social, nesting in colonies where holes are dug directly into soft cliff mud.
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- Looking off the edge of the sand cliff to Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland’s tallest mountain.
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- Running down the sand hill like a kid with Michèle.
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- Best outhouse location EVER.
