I & I - 2011, Page 18

18 I&I
I visited Iceland for the first time in July, 2010, at the invitation of
a friend and business colleague from Reykjavik. I knew before
the trip that I had to make my visit very "efficient," that is, to see
as much as possible in the brief time allotted. I made a reservation
for an 18-19 hour combination of three tours - history, scenery and
a glacier walk, and Gullfoss and Geysir. What a day, and it was day-
light the entire time! I'm so glad that I brought my good camera,
because I saw so many beautiful sights! My eyes were WIdE open
the entire day, and I saw much that day. However, I want to see so
much more of Iceland - it's a really fascinating land, in ALL respects.
So much history, so much beauty, such friendly people! I remember
being in Reykjavik on my last day there, and I had trouble getting a
parking meter to accept my credit card, and I had no small change
for the meter. A woman and her two daughters asked if they could
help. Well, after I explained what I was trying to do unsuccessfully,
the woman opened her purse, dropped a few coins in the meter,
and smiled at me, saying "Enjoy your visit in Reykjavik." I was both
stunned and grateful.
My Short-Term Marathon
Visit to Iceland
by Bob Hirst - June 30, 2011
It had been raining for days, and this morning was no different. We
bundled up, put on our rain gear, and set off in our super jeep. The
driver made a few stops on the way, once to show us snow from
1980 that has been preserved under tephra layers for the past 30
years. Pretty amazing, but we were ready for the volcano. He drove
us about 2/3 of the way up the southwest flank of Hekla, and then
we got out and began hiking. The higher we went, the crazier the
weather got. Wind whipped our faces, and it only invigorated us.
Rain soaked through the best of our rain gear, and we only pushed
harder. We finally made it up to the crater and had our moment of
celebration before starting back down. The weather began to clear,
and a rainbow formed right in front of us. As we made it down to
the jeep, the blue sky opened up and a second, beautiful double
rainbow appeared. It stayed with us our entire drive back to the
main ride. Even the driver stopped to take a picture of the “crazy
colors.” That is what truly made the day for me, seeing something
that even a native Icelander was impressed by. I will never forget
this day.
inspired by iceLAnd“ ”
Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
When I had read my first “Nonni book” I was immediately
hooked to the author and to Iceland. And I am not the only
one who got interested in this fascinating country AFTER reading
the adventures of Nonni and his younger brother Manni.
My personal wish is to finally get to know Nonnahús in Akureyri/
North Iceland, and shed a few emotional tears when entering his
small bedroom—the scene of many childhood tales skillfully nar-
rated by my dear Nonni.

enchanted by the
Icelandic author
Jón Svensson – “nonni”
- and his 12 “nonni books”
by Friederika - June 07, 2010
Hekla: 10 years overdue
for an eruption, showing
activity, rain and 70 kmph
winds—so we hiked it!
by Rose Ganley
- August 08, 2011
Impressions of visitors.