Iceland’s been getting a pretty bad rap in the news lately…what with the whole Icesave financial fiasco a couple of years ago and the recent volcano havoc it’s been wrecking on Europe, Iceland can’t seem to get a break.
But I love Iceland, and I would jump at the chance to visit it again. You see, Iceland is where Jay and I spent our honeymoon five years ago (in August), and we both fell in love with its pristine beauty and wild countryside. So while everyone else has been shaking their fists and bemoaning their fates as they camp out in airports across Europe, I just keep thinking about how much I love Iceland. Even before all of this volcano mess, I recently read a book by Iceland’s celebrated author, Halldór Laxness. In it he described the same little fishing village that Jay and I visited on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Ólafsvík. I felt like I knew the place! How cool is that?
So, I’ve decided I wanted to show some love to Iceland by sharing some of my old photos (all taken with a point a shoot–so, I’m afraid the quality is rather lacking!). And maybe I’ll garner a few more fans of the country.
This is the (somewhat) famous volcano that Jules Verne references in his “Journey to the Center of the Earth”: Snæfellsjökull
Cemetery in the fishing village of Olafsvik.
Old church in a local village.
Note the dried lava flow behind the barn.
We spotted rainbows everywhere in Iceland–this one just outside our little cabin window.
The sunsets were quite incredible to watch…this photo doesn’t even come close to giving it justice.
Of course, one of my favorite things was the Icelandic horses…these ponies are descended directly from the Vikings’ horses, and they’re just my size!
Jay’s probably not going to like that I’m sharing this one, but I’ve got to. They Iceland horses are small but they are strong enough to carry full-grown men.
We also spent a couple of nights in the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. It looks like your typical modern European city.
Ok, but they had the silliest-looking grocery store brand I’ve ever seen: Bonus. That pig mascot looks like he’s been smoking something. Would you feel comfortable buying your milk and bread from there??
And check out our sweet ride–gotta love those European econo cars…
So, that’s why I can’t hate Iceland…and you shouldn’t either. It’s a really beautiful country, and I would highly recommend visiting it!
by mary
JS - I’d like to go to Iceland with you, Mary (again!).
And Milla: The last picture is probably more of me waiting on Mary rather than thinking deep thoughts!
Christina Montemurro - I already thought you were super cool, but now knowing that you honeymooned in ICELAND, your coolness factor is through the roof. Who goes to Iceland?! Awesome! Way to honeymoon outside the box.
When I heard Iceland, I think of the line in the movie “The Player” where Greta Scacchi says that “Greenland’s very icy.
Iceland’s very green. They switched names to fool the Vikings
who tried to steal their women.” Is that true?
Milla - Oh wow, Mary. Awesome photos! I particularly like that last one… Jay, thinking deep thoughts about Iceland.