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