Thursday 9 June 2011

Reykjavik and the south coast of Iceland








Apologies for the light posting this week, it has been cold, wet and miserable here and it has made me feel a bit flat… but never mind tomorrow is Friday and we have a long weekend coming up and that is a good thing! So tonight I thought I would share some photographs from visiting Reykjavik and the south coast of Iceland.

Originally I had planned to spend a full week in Sweden, which would have been ideal, but then I started looking at maps and realising that Iceland was much closer than I originally thought. It seemed crazy not to go! I’ve always loved music from Iceland I grew up mad about Bjork and then later Sigur Rós and most recently Ólöf Arnalds and Seabear, so I felt rather drawn to it.

Coming in on the plane was so beautiful with the stark land, black coast and blue/turquoise water, then the drive to Reykjavik through the lava fields, I’m pretty sure I had a crazy grin on my face the whole time.

I only had a few days to explore, one and a bit for Reykjavik, which is stark but really cool at the same time with the different coloured buildings, and another for a long bus tour along the south coast to the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Going past some beautiful waterfalls, the glaciers, black sand deserts and several of the volcanoes, none of which had any activity going on while I was there! I loved it but found the bus tour rather frustrating with not being able to stop where I wanted to take photographs so I think next time hiring a car would be the best idea.

I also think it would be a wonderful place to go with a group of friends, to go out and have drinks, enjoy the looong daylight hours and just have a laugh, sometimes it's not so easy to do that when you travel alone.






19 comments:

sweet harvest moon said...

Beautiful pictures! I really want to go to Iceland someday...

http://sweetharvestmoon.blogspot.com

Karin Alton said...

Great photos, I fancy Iceland too, heard about the hot springs, but don't fancy the 'live' volcanos much.
Karin

fifi said...

*gasp* i need to pick my bottom jaw back up! oh and funny, but the images/environment are all in your colour palette!!!! must get there. i had two mates who rode bikes around the island. incredible. x

Anonymous said...

oh my that looks all so beautiful.
It is a dream of mine since years to travel to Iceland one day...love your pictures

Sarah B said...

It's so beautiful, especially the glaciers. Aren't they amazing?
I know what you mean about having a flat week. Blah. But, here's hoping the weekend fixes that :)

Isis said...

sooooo jealous right now!

Amanda said...

What beautiful scenery! I love the photo of all the coloured roofs on those buildings. Hope you have a nice warm, cosy weekend in and that you enjoy the extra day off work x

anina said...

ah, i would love to go to iceland too... your photos are so beautiful btw!

Mei said...

I'm really enjoying your beautiful travel posts. Would love to visit Iceland - it looks like no other place I've been too.

Unknown said...

Just had a listen to Seabear, and they're great! I can really hear Sigur Ros' music when I see your photos - there's such a connection between the landscape and their music...

oscarlucinda said...

Stunning. You've taken some very beautiful photos. Am so intrigued by Iceland now...

PS. My sister alerted me to the fact that Details is available on Book Depository...only $45 + free postage.

P.K said...

Iceland is such an enchanting place, excellent photos. It is on my list of places to visit. Thanks for your travel posts. Stockholm is also a city I want to see.

Marian Hazel said...

Absolutely breathtaking! It's wonderful to see a different holiday destination. Those colourful houses are just gorgeous.

Martina said...

So gorgeous Catherine! Looking forward to your London post :)

shipbuilding said...

Music is one of the things that drew me to Iceland too. It's such a stunning place and your photos are beautiful. I almost forgot how incredible the light is there.

It followed me home said...

Absolutely amazing, breathtakingly beautiful!!

wow account for sale said...

WoW! such a great shots. .love it.=)

Small Catalogue said...

I am absolutely loving your travel series.

Check Insurance said...

I fancy Iceland too, heard about the hot springs, but don't fancy the 'live' volcanos much.