Category: Travel

Fun Facts about Iceland

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited locations in Iceland. https://www.bluelagoon.com/

Cheers from the Blue Lagoon.
But, if you are an Adventure Cow, you have to wait in the parking lot while the others have their soak.

Fact: “There are several black sand beaches in Iceland. They include Reynisfjara, Stokksnes, Diamond beach, Heradssandar, Fauskasandur, Solheimasandur among others.” https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/iceland/top-10-fun-facts-about-black-sand-beach/

Adventure Cows are allowed on the beach – Here is AC climbing the basalt columns at The Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/reynisfjara

Reykjavik’s Hólavallagarður Cemetery is beautiful, earie, and possibly haunted. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/holavallagardur

All even more so on this snowy day in December

While no pictures are allowed during the ride; it is a fact that the FLYover Iceland is a fun and interesting thing to do. https://youtu.be/S_7S9AUa790 https://www.flyovericeland.com/experience/

Anyone can, however, pretend to be an Icelandic troll when the ride is over.

Fun Fact: There are no McDonalds in Iceland. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/iceland-is-one-of-the-few-countries-in-the-world-without-mcdonalds-heres-why/

There are lots of foodie tours though.

Hotdogs are the most popular fast food.
AC does not like the traditional marrinated shark
Traditonal seafood soup though, is yummy
AC had a great time on the Foodie Tour of Reyjkavik
Mmmmm. More soup – Traditional meat (lamb)
The food hall has great bao and pot stickers. More yum.

Fun Fact: “In terms of direct use, Iceland has developed into a role model both with its extensive use for district heating (90% of all homes are heated by geothermal energy), but also in the cascaded use of geothermal heat for bathing and swimming, greenhouse operations, fish farming and more. ” https://energycluster.is/geothermal/#:~:text=Iceland’s%20first%20geothermal%20power%20plant,to%20electricity%20generation%20from%20geothermal.

AC took in the sight, sounds, and smells (Sulphur) of the Deildartunguhver hot spring outside of Borganes, Iceland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deildartunguhver
The hot spring is used to support Krauma, a spa and restaurant. https://www.krauma.is/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAn4SeBhCwARIsANeF9DLh4YfulAK50yIZfroyDLf2w1BGKnysGM_RvLy_Nj4VBryS9S9-t5saAv1TEALw_wcB

We all learned even more about geothermal resources and benefits when we toured the Geothermal Exhibition https://www.on.is/en/geothermal-exhibition/ at the Hellisheidi-geothermal-power-plant https://www.power-technology.com/projects/hellisheidi-geothermal-power-plant/

AC is pointing out the particular geology of Iceland that makes the geothermal processes possible.

Fun Fact: The English word “geyser” comes from the first geyser documented by modern Europeans; the “Great Geysir” of Iceland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geysir

AC watches as the hot water gushes up about 40 feet into the air.

Fun Fact: Icelanders love Ice Cream, all year round. https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/food/icelands-ice-cream-culture/

Yes, this Ice Cream shop is open; not just a surprise because there is fresh snow on the ground, but also because it is Christmas Day!
Also open on Christmas day – a lovely, warm café with mulled wine (Gluhwein)

One of the best examples in the world of a Lava Cave/ Lava Tunnel can be found in Iceland. https://grapevine.is/mads/2019/07/05/vidgelmir-the-epic-lava-cave-of-borgarfjordur/

It is a very big cave, and AC is a very small cow, but he still goes to the end with the rest of the group.

Fun Fact: The hearty Icelandic horse cannot return to Iceland if it leaves the country. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_horse

Andy introduces AC to an Icelandic horse.

One of the most visited locations in Reykjavik is The Pearl: Created out of hot water holding tanks, repurposed to a beautiful hill top attraction and museum. https://www.perlan.is/perlan

Outside The Pearl is the art instalation: The Four Dancing Musicians: https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-photo-dansleikur-dance-statues-next-to-perlan-reykjavik-iceland-grouping-four-dancing-musicians-was-created-torbjorg-image96259501

Other museums that we visited in Iceland included: The National Museum https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english/museum-information/about-the-museum/ and The Skogar. https://www.skogasafn.is/

The National Museum gift shop has small cast replicas of the most famous buildings in Iceland.
AC always stops to appreciate items of architectural interest.
AC wanted to bring books back from the museum store so he could learn more about Icelandic folktales and religions – but that did not happen.

Fun Fact: More than half the Icelandic population believes in Elves and/or trolls. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/believes-elves-exist-mythology

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20181217-the-elusive-hidden-people-of-iceland
The Skogar is a folk museum which has collections of so many items from Iceland’s rural and marine past. These textiles are from the 1800’s

Fun Fact:
There are three examples of shoe inserts right under AC. And, a little harder to see, but on the bottom-left, with red triangles and streamers of different colors on a white background; is a single shoe insert. These date back to a time when shoes were made of fish skin. Knitted inserts protected your feet as the shoes wore out very quickly. https://www.nordatlantens.dk/en/events/lecture-on-icelandic-knitting-traditions/
After looking at displays inside the museum, AC headed outside to see the relocated turf houses that the museum keeps to share the rural history of the island. https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/icelandic-turf-house/

While walking around Reykjavik, AC ran into several interesting sights.

He found the Harpa Concert Hall. https://www.harpa.is/en/about-harpa

And, though they were somewhat hidden by the snow, AC located some cairns made of basaltic rocks on the surrounding beach. https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g189970-d12286720-i312948708-Sculpture_and_Shore_Walk-Reykjavik_Capital_Region.html
Not far from Harpa is the sculpture: The Sun Voyager.

Fun Fact: https://www.icelandtravel.is/attractions/sun-voyager/ Many tourists believe the sculpture to be a Viking boat – it is not. “It is a dream boat and an ode to the sun.”

If you turn away from the harbor toward the center of town, you will see a street with many restaurants and shops; it could be the Skolavordustigur. This street is also known as: Rainbow Street. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/skolavordustigur Starting in 1999, the pedestrian street is repainted every year just in time for the multi-day Gay Pride events.

It was a little snowy the day AC found the street.

Fun Fact: Iceland may have the world’s oldest democracy with a parliament being established in 930 CE. https://www.government.is/topics/governance-and-national-symbols/how-is-iceland-governed/#:~:text=Iceland%20is%20arguably%20the%20world’s,the%20executive%20and%20the%20legislature.

The parliament met here, in what is now Thingvillir National Park — in the summer. https://www.thingvellir.is/en/
Trolls are real! AC found plenty of them in a souvenir store in Vik.
https://www.icelandtours.is/blog/elves-trolls-monsters-iceland/

Fun Video: Will Farrell and Rachel McAdams starred as the performance duo:
Fire Saga representing Iceland in the Eurovision contest for the movie: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest:_The_Story_of_Fire_Saga

Here is their music video: https://youtu.be/AdW6BBF22AY

AC waited in the bus. He did not get to see the beautiful coastline of Valahnúkamöl, or the permanently anchored keyboard paying honor to the movie. https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/moya/news/will-ferrells-volcano-man-starring-reykjanes

Fun Fact: There are over 100 waterfalls in Iceland, so many that some do not even have names. https://adventures.is/blog/icelandic-waterfalls/

Along the “Silver Circle” is the series of Hraunfossar water falls. https://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/waterfalls/iceland-hraunfossar/
Here AC views the Seljalandfoss waterfall. It is one of the most photographed in the country. During the summer, when it is not frozen, you can walk behind it. The waterfall, and the area around it have been the setting for many movie and music video scenes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seljalandsfoss

https://youtu.be/PfGaX8G0f2E
And, of course, AC had to see the Golden Falls known as Gullfoss; one of the most visited sights in Iceland. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/gullfoss
He just about froze his hoofs off, but it was worth it.

Fun Fact: New Year’s Eve is a very big deal in Iceland. It is celebrated both before and after the 31st.

  • Icelanders will meet up with family or friends to have dinner around 6 or 7 PM.
  • Following dinner, around 8 PM locals gather at their nearest bonfire to meet and greet friends and shoot some fireworks.
  • Following the bonfire, the streets empty as Icelanders go home to watch a comedy TV show that chronicles the year at 10:30 PM.
  • Just before midnight, people flock back to the streets to shoot more fireworks.
  • Around 1 AM it’s time to go partying, and most people go to house parties, although bars and clubs are also open until the early hours.
    https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/new-year-s-eve-in-iceland
New Year’s 2022 – 2023 started with a dinner inside the Harpa Concert Hall. https://www.harpa.is/en/shops-and-restaurants
After dinner we share in the Icelandic tradition of bonfires and sparklers.
And, of course, fireworks. This picture was taken at the Arbaer Open Air Museum which is up the hill from Reyjkavik city center.

Fun Fact: The Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church is the tallest in Iceland. It is also a popular location for viewing New Year’s fireworks.

This youtube video was filmed at the Hallgrímskirkja https://youtu.be/J0fnaVnuVyc
Cheers to you and yours from Reyjkavik!
Happy New Year, 2023!