R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 39

Jewel of the Seas — Reykjavik; The Basalt Columns of Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara

You may recall that I’ve shown you basalt columns before. On 30 July 2021 I posted a six-part series of articles on The Giant’s Causeway in Ireland (see Part 1: Northern Ireland — Reaching the Giant’s Causeway). You can click on that link to see how the Giant’s Causeway columns compare to those of Reynisfjara.

Reynisfjara basalt colums

So, here’s today’s offering of Reynisfjara’s column images:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Reykjavik; Black Sand of Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve

There is much to see here at Reynisdrangar. We’ll be spending some time discussing it over the next several articles, starting today with the ink-black sand of this incredible beach and the basalt stacks that rise from its shore and the ocean.

Reynisdrangar

And, yes, here’s you’ll find puffin breeding grounds on the high cliffs and seabirds accumulating on the beaches:

Puffin Puffin Awaiting Its Mate Birds of a Feather Flocking Together

Now ...

Fun Photo Friday — Reykjavik Area Favorites 1

Smoke-Free Environment, a.k.a., A No Puffin’ Zone Inverted Volcano Hanging from the Ceiling (Lava Centre) With All This Water, No Wonder It’s So Green Being Sheepish Posing on Basalt Columns

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Reykjavik; Skógafoss

Approaching Skógafoss by foot

Before I present additional images of Skógafoss up close, let me show you the surrounding scenery starting with some famed Icelandic sheep:

Sheep Country

And here are some of the surrounding mountains:

Skógafoss area

Now for a photo gallery/slide show of the spectacular Skógafoss:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Reykjavik; Lava Center and Skógafoss

Lava Center

We arrived into Reykjavik on 1 June 2022, and Ursula had us booked on a tour that was put together by one of our fellow passengers. All told, there were perhaps a dozen of us who would be heading to the southernmost point on Iceland. Along the way we would see waterfalls cascading from dizzying heights, black sand beaches that put those on Hawaii to shame, and an entertaining and informative Lava Centre:

Lava Centre

Our guide this day was absolutely wonderful. He’s a teacher ...

Fun Photo Friday — Akureyi Favorites 2

Tónlistarskólinn á Akureyri — A Study in Shadow Projections

Next week I start on our next Icelandic destination. Until then, here’s today’s Fun Photo Friday of Akureyri favorites:

Whale Tail? Even the Clock Works How Does One Remove Stains from Glass? Colorful Skies for Sale

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Akureyi, Iceland 4

Back on Hafnarstræti

Today I present a photo gallery/slide show of other sights around downtown Akureyri and on the route back to the cruise terminal. The round building you will see below contains the Tónlistarskólinn á Akureyri (Akureyri Music School, Tourist Information Center, and the Menningarhúsið Hof (Hof Cultural and Conference Center).

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Akureyi, Iceland 3

Kirkjutröppurnar (Church Steps) leading to Akureyrarkirkja (Akureyri Church)

Atop a hill in Akureyri is a prominent Lutheran church that has overlooked this town since 1940. This is Akureyrarkirkja (Akureyri Church) at the end of the tourist-popular Kirkjutröppurnar (Church Stairs).

Catch your breath; we’re almost there

Akureyrarkirkja may look new because of its modernist architecture, but it isn’t. The church, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, was completed in 1940.

Akureyrarkirkja alt...

Fun Photo Friday — Akureyi Favorites 1

Boating with Some Interesting Companions

Today is the first of two Fun Photo Fridays showing off Akureyri favorites:

Jewel of the Seas in Akureyri Akureyri Café Street Scene Akureyri Beneath the Mooring Lines Hands Embracing Trees

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Jewel of the Seas — Akureyi, Iceland 2

Jewel of the Seas (foreground) and Norwegian Star in Akureyri, Iceland

On Monday I showed you Akureyri, Iceland as seen from the deck of our cruise ship, Jewel of the Seas. Now it’s time to head out on foot, beginning with our departure from the Akureyri Harbor Cruise Terminal:

Leaving Jewel on foot for Akureyri

As you head into downtown Akureyri you’ll pass an outdoor sculpture garden on Hafnarstræti:

These sculptures are in a small, park-like area that includes a playground...