Scavenger Hunt 2014: Iceland

I love December!
But this one has been challenging 
due to illness ~
so I have had to dip into my archives
and choose some photos from Iceland last June.

Approaching Keflavík International Airport
Near Reykjavik 

December's List

1.  Where You Stood

A Hill Overlooking Geysir
in the Haukadalur Geothermal Area

I always have a compulsion to climb 

to the highest point in an area, if at all possible.

So while Terry 

ate a snack,

I was off and running.

From on top of the high hill, I had a panoramic view 

of the Geysir Hot Spring Area and the Geysir Center.

Some of the thermal activities you can see

are bubbling mud pits and active geysers,

like Strokkur which erupts every few minutes

sending a fountain of water 

100 feet or 30 meters into the air.

Geysir Hot Spring Area

Strokkur

Stepmap



2.  Down Low

The Faxi Waterfall
(also referred to as Fossin Faxi or Vatnsleysufoss in Icelandic)

Sometimes you can get so caught up in the big scenery

that you overlook the beauty up close.

This lovely wild patch of flowers 

was down low at my feet.

By the Faxi Waterfall

Faxi is located on the Golden Circle,
a popular tourist trail east of Reykjavik.
The waterfall is on the Tungufljót river.
Wikipedia


3.  A View from Here

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is located about 18.6 miles 

(30 kilometers) from Skógar.

  The river Seljalandsá drops 200 feet (60 meters) over the cliffs 

  of a former coastline to form Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.  Wikipedia

What makes it special is that you can walk behind it, 
as Terry is doing.

  

Wikimedia

4.   Front Door

Front Door, Reykjavik

5.  A Favorite Thing

Hallgrímskirkja and Leifr Eiricsson 
Reykjavik

  

Hallgrímskirkja took my breath away.  

It is a Lutheran parish church 

designed by Guðjón Samúelsson

and inspired by Iceland's columnar basalt.

The statue of Leif Ericson

was a gift from the USA to Iceland

in honor of the one thousandth anniversary

of Iceland's Althing in 1930. 

Columnar Basalt 

Reynisfjall Sea Cliffs, Near Vik

                  

  Columnar Basalt                                         Nature Imitated

Location of Vik

Wikimedia

6.   Sweet

Icelandic Ponies

7.  Christmas

Perhaps a Puffin for Under the Christmas Tree?

8. Decoration

A Vivid Decoration

Splashes of vivid green
brighten a stark landscape near
Sólheimajökull Glacier

9.  Tree

Laugavegur Street in the Heart of Reykjavik

Unusual trees (to me) line Laugavegur Street 

in downtown Reykjavik, 

along with shops, restaurants, cafes,
galleries, and museums.

10.  Tradition

Some Icelanders still believe in 

the Huldufólk or hidden people of Iceland. 

Stories about the Huldufólk appear 

in many traditional folk tales.

The hidden people live inside rocks,

on craggy hillsides, and in lava fields.

On Christmas Icelanders traditionally leave food

for the Huldufólk.

 A Landscape for the Traditional Huldufólk

11.  Black and White

Seastacks Near Vik, Iceland
This is a color photograph!

A Black and White World ~
In Living Color!

Vik, Iceland ~ With a Hint of Green

12.  Whatever You Want

Reykjavik Harbor
from Inside Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Hallgrímskirkja from Inside Harpa

National Geographic Student Expeditions

January's List:

Something new,  Landscape,  Words,  Cold,  Bottle,  Up high,
In the fridge,  Texture,  Hidden,  Blue,  Big,  and
What ever you want

Thanks to Jill (Greenthumb) 

and her Made with Love blog 

for setting up the scavenger hunt.

Happy 2015, Everyone!