Sept 1 - 11 2017
Hiking, walking, running, glacier exploring and things.
Usually this kind of thing is rare that in just two months period long trips happen.
Iceland : things in their most raw forms, volcanoes, glaciers, miles long ice fields, huge mountains,old lava flows, numerous waterfalls, most happy sheep, horses and people, great food.The place has very nice welcoming vibe. One can leave their things anywhere and just be fine ( the locals would say this is Iceland ).
Fishing, tourism, goat farming, aluminum smelting, renewable energy were some of the industries.Some roads in town are heated by pipes running down from volcanoes, even hot water in showers (one can smell Sulfur in some cases) Best use of natural resources. City walk was the nice introduction to the place.
Hiking, walking, running, glacier exploring and things.
Post Vienna to Czech trek which I did solo, with group but still there was nothing as such in mind or it was too soon even to think about it.
But imagine the odds, my other half all of a sudden pings me from office "long weekend Iceland it is ok ??" Was like, is it for real? given he had taken 3 weeks break in India and usually... but anyways, I just questioned any idea about weather and said sounds good. By evening all I know flight bookings were all done, wow !! that was fast. After a while this was our driving around and doing things trip. Met friends and took guided adventures too.
Wanted to do things in Iceland since long, had in mind, but just didn't happen earlier. Had even seen organized hiking trips for the same.
Iceland : things in their most raw forms, volcanoes, glaciers, miles long ice fields, huge mountains,old lava flows, numerous waterfalls, most happy sheep, horses and people, great food.The place has very nice welcoming vibe. One can leave their things anywhere and just be fine ( the locals would say this is Iceland ).Fishing, tourism, goat farming, aluminum smelting, renewable energy were some of the industries.Some roads in town are heated by pipes running down from volcanoes, even hot water in showers (one can smell Sulfur in some cases) Best use of natural resources. City walk was the nice introduction to the place.
Anyone can read about drive around ring road, golden circle and other things but in all this what matters is just being present in that moment.The smell, the weather, sudden cold spell, rain, drizzle, sunny day whatever it is, if u are like me it will stick with you and the memory will recreate it anytime U will see that picture.
Among many other things done this was the first time I had hiked up on glacier, past snow history of snowshoe walks and things was there but never on glaciers.
It was an awesome experience and kind of unplanned landed in private tour so had things only for ourselves.
Apart from all glacier things,crevasses, moulin, water falls, walks, climbing up etc. one of the best moment was ( later to be described as glacier moved) We were standing in one place admiring some things and everyone knows how does calving sounds, so curiously we all started looking around as to where it happened ( I think we had seen something in open mountain face far away from us ), post that strong wind pressured sound just went below our feet and water started coming out or to say bubbling out from some spouts.This was even new for the guide and the later conclusion was glacier moved. How cool is that , three engineers (electrical, electronics, mechanical) stand on glacier two of them for the first time and make glacier move, hahaha :) just kidding. Whatever it was, it was the thing to remember.
Exploring the glaciers in really exploration team style ( calling it this way after wearing that suite , but glad it was there) was a thing.
Did number of hikes in around waterfalls, inside mountains, lakes, craters, geysers etc. It's always wise to be prepared for all weather conditions. So layering is the best way to enjoy. It can get very windy at the top of craters, as standing and walking opposing high winds is hard running in the same was fun. That's how landed up finishing two miles up the crater.
Super jeep adventure was really nice crossing rivers, hills etc.
Being soccer fan have to mention this, happened to run across Ukrainian media and soccer team in the same hotel. The players had match against Iceland the next day.
With some 80/ 85 miles on feet we headed back to place called home.For an outdoors enthusiast there is lot to do and definitely got the rough idea of the place. Return trip is for sure with the things I want to do. Hope that happens and soon.
And yes among many beautiful sunsets and things got to see Northern lights too ...
The only thing would be, given the amount of increase in tourism hopefully the place doesn't lose it's identity. Getting some examples from other countries and knowing the future problems it would be nice if steps are taken in advance to keep things as they are and may be permit systems are put in place earlier.
All individuals I have met were really nice and awesome, I think I need to create one post simply with everyone I have met on many trips.
Some glimpses : - these are just some low resolutions pics :- Iceland pics:
Iceland Smugmug gallery
instagram
It was an awesome experience and kind of unplanned landed in private tour so had things only for ourselves.
Apart from all glacier things,crevasses, moulin, water falls, walks, climbing up etc. one of the best moment was ( later to be described as glacier moved) We were standing in one place admiring some things and everyone knows how does calving sounds, so curiously we all started looking around as to where it happened ( I think we had seen something in open mountain face far away from us ), post that strong wind pressured sound just went below our feet and water started coming out or to say bubbling out from some spouts.This was even new for the guide and the later conclusion was glacier moved. How cool is that , three engineers (electrical, electronics, mechanical) stand on glacier two of them for the first time and make glacier move, hahaha :) just kidding. Whatever it was, it was the thing to remember.
Exploring the glaciers in really exploration team style ( calling it this way after wearing that suite , but glad it was there) was a thing.
Did number of hikes in around waterfalls, inside mountains, lakes, craters, geysers etc. It's always wise to be prepared for all weather conditions. So layering is the best way to enjoy. It can get very windy at the top of craters, as standing and walking opposing high winds is hard running in the same was fun. That's how landed up finishing two miles up the crater.
Being soccer fan have to mention this, happened to run across Ukrainian media and soccer team in the same hotel. The players had match against Iceland the next day.
With some 80/ 85 miles on feet we headed back to place called home.For an outdoors enthusiast there is lot to do and definitely got the rough idea of the place. Return trip is for sure with the things I want to do. Hope that happens and soon.
And yes among many beautiful sunsets and things got to see Northern lights too ...
All individuals I have met were really nice and awesome, I think I need to create one post simply with everyone I have met on many trips.
Some glimpses : - these are just some low resolutions pics :- Iceland pics:
Iceland Smugmug gallery
