Iceland: Waterfalls, Sheep & Whales

Click to view the Iceland Highlights photo album

Xander chose Iceland as his country to visit during the trip because of the cool weather and small population- traveling around this stunning country was a great way to initiate our journey.  We drove around the country on the ring road in a roomy RV that was an exciting ride along narrow roads, in high winds and avoiding sheep (that we learned run if you honk).  We loved the flexibility to camp and eat whenever and wherever we wanted and didn’t drive each other (too) crazy in the close quarters. Highlights included:

• Enjoying the silica mud and warm waters of the blue lagoon, mytvan nature baths and other pools along the way.  Every town in Iceland has a fantastic pool and we were happy to take advantage of both the opportunity to swim and take a hot shower
• Waterfalls!  Almost everywhere you look in Iceland is an incredible waterfall leading to a meandering river.  There’s an abundance of fresh (hot and cold) water, which precludes the need for much fossil energy and water treatment… a switch from dry and coal-fueled Colorado. 
• 1.5 times as many sheep as people.  They are hilarious when they’re running (unless it’s in front of the RV).  We learned that farmers cut specific patterns in lamb’s ears with scissors to identify them.  Also, the dairy products (and hot dogs) in Iceland are amazing
• The people.  Icelandic people, along with all looking like Norse gods/fashion models, are very friendly and all seem to speak perfect English.  We were thrilled to meet up with our grad school friend Jona Finndis and her family in Akureyri. Their newest addition, the little sister, will get her name in a few months- Not that we will be able to pronounce it.  Xander and Liam had fun jumping on the trampoline with the kids, and Xander even tried to read them a book in Icelandic. He said he started to understand some of the language playing with the kids (Come here!  Hug!)

It still hasn’t hit us that we’re on this trip for the long haul- but we’re developing routines and figuring out how to manage travel, each other, and our stuff.  Liam and Xander are psyched because they wore the same outfits the entire week.  Hey, it makes laundry a lot easier, and yes, we did make them change their socks and underwear.  The only casualties so far have been a lost hat and Liam getting stuck in the bathroom on the whale watching ship.

Every day we write down some lessons learned and a memorable “sense” from the day before.  Some favorite senses from Iceland were:

Liam:  My cold dead hand after seeing how long I could stand the freezing glacier stream water (23 seconds); seeing the blue cast of the lights at the whale museum while it seems like you're swimming with the whales

Carolyn: Listening to the thunderous waterfall gazing at the double rainbow; watching a puffin flap its heart out trying to take off awkwardly from the waves

Xander: Liam getting bombarded by waves as I stay afloat on an iceberg on the black sand beach; majestic bluish grey back of a blue whale as it appears above the surface preparing for a deeper dive

Jim: Warm embrace of the sulfur spring; warm feeling of being welcomed by friends with sweet apple chocolate cake and buttered dried fish

And some lessons learned:

• Have a plan if you’re going to separate
• Traveling around Iceland in an RV is a great way to see the country 
• If there is a nice shower, take it, even if you're not that dirty (yet)
• Don’t stand on icebergs with holes in them in the waves
• Know the exchange rate before you buy something
• The Iceland ring road was finished in 1974
• When ice freezes it expands by 9% and can shatter rock and make scree
• Stoplights in Akureyri are shaped like hearts
• If a bathroom door is hard to open don’t go in it
• Check on Liam if he doesn’t come back from the bathroom after 5 minutes 
• To kill flies, use your coat
• Blue whales are the largest animal on earth, ever.  Their heart is the size of a small car.
• There is always more to see and more time you want to spend at each place
• Together is a wonderful place to be

On to Europe!