The World Class Traveler

The World Class Traveler

Monday, January 5, 2015

Getting To See What Reykjavik, Iceland Really Has To Offer

A big thanks to the best tour company in Reykjavik, Iceland - Reykjavik Excursions!

Reykjavik Excursions is the largest tour company in Iceland and has many activities to offer.  They accommodate people from all around the world and are known for fun in Reykjavik, Iceland.  In addition, they offer airport transfers to and from your hotel or to the actual main pickup area where you can take another van to your tour destination.  Here are just a few activities I was able to do that the company has to offer:

Gullfoss, Geysir & Langjokull Snowmobiling Tour (and a little taste of the Golden Circle).


Feeling like a champion in the early morning hours. The harden snow is so high it makes me feel like I am ten feet tall!
 



Icelandic's decide to combine a national park, geysir, and hot springs all in one small town. They are pretty smart, but it's not really the Icelandics that are smart - it's Mother Nature.


These pictures give you an idea of what it would be like to walk thru the Thingvellir National Park and be close to the hot springs of Geysir. Makes me want to get in and exfoliate my skin!



Doesn't this look like a big puddle of water? It is actually geothermal heat that creates the steam. If your lucky you will get to experience it firsthand. It's quite a sight to see.



They must have a new pope!



Here's the Golden Circle in the winter. It is beautiful with snow and ice. Very nice!!

 

Depending on what part of year you go to the Gulfoss Waterfall it can be frozen or not, but either way this picturesque place is an image to capture forever. The Golden Circle is approximately 400 km (huge!!) and is like a large pathway, and this waterfall is only a small portion of the Golden Circle. There are two ways you can get to this waterfall. Take the long way which is drivable, or walk up a large set of stairs. We decided to get some exercise. Enjoy!



 Mountaineers of Iceland is a company that picks up passengers from an area of the Golden Circle. In the winter, you can take a 45 minute drive thru the snow and glaciers to pick up your very own personal snowmobile. You will need it for your group tour that is accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.  While you're on this fun exhibition enjoy the beautiful winter out the window. When icy, it feels like a rugged off roading experience. Hold on!




You can choose to go on this snowmobile alone or with someone else depending on if you feel comfortable operating heavy machinery alone. I'm feeling brave today. Wish me luck!



Tell me something, do I look like an astronaut in this picture? That is the impression I got when looking at this picture for the first time. Houston, we have a problem.
 
 


The Wonders of Snaefellnes takes us through several different cities in Iceland.  This tour is known for the Ben Stiller hit travel movie, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," a portion of "Interstellar," and the popular TV series, "Game of Thrones." 



Arnarstapi Rock, also known as "Eagle Rock."



I thought I would make things interesting by walking this narrow rocky path to the middle of the heavy waves.  What an amazing photo! It took my breath away. Hope it does that for you too.


You will see in the next few photos, the water goes from a resting position to shooting up thru the rock formation. This is truly a sight worth seeing. Look closely or else you might miss it.







This is what the waves look like when they die down, glad I didn't get splashed too much.
 

Had to take some nice photos of the beautiful scenery





 


A beach called Djupalonssandur.


 








A small fishing town known as, "Hamlet of Hellnar" is where parts of the movie, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" was shot. In order for me to get this picture I had to walk up a narrow pathway that leads to a lighthouse. Near the lighthouse, you can get a view of the small secluded fisherman's area where the boats dock throughout the season. 






Take A Walk In The Glaciers
 

Hello from the amazing glaciers in Iceland! Let me welcome you to the best part of the tour. You can actually touch the glaciers in this area. Make sure to check areas that may be unsafe or else you might fall right through snow if it is not hard enough. Watch your step!


 

Hey look at me! I was allowed to go in one of the glaciers, but don't be mistaken, this particular glacier is extremely deep. If you continue into the deep dark glacier you may get lost. Not today!


 

On the tour, you need to make sure you follow the group so no one gets left behind. But wouldn't that be a good thing to be left behind in a beautiful place like this? I guess it would be a bit cold.
 

A popular Iceland tradition is stepping over this crack. It is supposed to bring good luck. Oh how I hope I will get some of that good luck from doing this simple Icelandic tradition. 




Fontana Warm Baths
While going into the different temperature waters, I did catch a very short glimpse of the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights came out from it's hiding place, but since there was suppose to be a snow storm coming in late that night, they would soon go back into hiding.  At least for those ten minutes I was able to enjoy seeing one of the worlds most amazing light show in the sky.










Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's 2nd biggest sightseeing attractions that is a must see.  This tour is at your leisure and has many times to choose from, you can make this activity a short one or spend all day here.   It is known for its natural warm salt water, which heats up naturally by volcanic activity coming from the bottom of the Earth. Can I borrow some of that heat?
 

How would you feel about swimming in ocean warm water where you can feel the pebbles near your feet? Well these aren't actual pebbles. It is actually hard white silica mud.


Take a nice tour with me of the Blue Lagoon property as a whole, then decide if this place is relaxing enough for you:








ATV Tour Thru Volcanic Ash
Well for all you people who love to do those rugged activities this is definitely one that you won't want to miss.  The ride is rough and takes you near the recently erupted 2010 Volcano. The tour guide takes you on a forty to fifty minute tour thru the ice and ash with views for days. You can even get a sneak peek of one of Iceland's beaches.



If you look at this picture, you will notice old ash from the volcano eruption that took place in 2010.



What makes this a fun adventure is driving over volcanic ash. The hardness of the ash makes the ride unexpectedly bumpy.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

A Final Day In Amsterdam

My last day of this 45 day European tour ends in Amsterdam, the Dutch Capitol City of the Kingdom of the Netherlands!
 
Today I am left to explore for the day on my own.  The tour bus brought us to the city center near the home of Ann Frank.  As I walked into the house I could feel the presence of the extraordinary courage and bravery this family had.  Making my way through the different rooms, going up and down narrow stairs, watching videos, looking at memorabilia, I felt as though I was right there with Ann Frank as she was keeping her diary back when the Holocaust was going on.
 
Unfortunately, there are no pictures to share due to the fact that you are not allowed to take pictures inside the house.
 
I had looked forward to this part of the trip as a whole.  And now the time had finally come, wow what an experience that I will always remember.

After the tour I decided to wander around with no plans in mind. I just love the architecture of this country!  
 
 
 
 
 
Used by 260,000 passengers a day, I came across the second-busiest railway station in the country. 

Centraal Station


Magna Plaza is a shopping mall, but it used to be Amsterdam's main post office!  Can you believe I didn't head on in there to do some shopping???


Magna Plaza

My exploring lead me to Dam Square where there seems to be plenty of action going on.

 
The National Memorial Statue was erected in memory of Dutch soldiers and members of the resistance who died in World War 2. Unveiled in 1956, the monument stores soil from all of Holland's provinces as well as from the Dutch East Indies and if you go to the back of the obelisk tower, you'll find the provinces' crests.
 
National Memorial Statue
 
If you're into still life wax figures, then you might want to check out Madame Tussaund's Wax Museum.
Madame Tussaud
The Royal Palace Amsterdam is one of three Palaces used by the Dutch Monarch.


Royal Palace
Adjacent to the Royal Palace, built in 1400 is Amsterdam Nieuwe Kerk, (New Church) a church of the highest order.
Nieuwe Kerk


The 800-year-old Oude Kerk (old church) is Amsterdam's oldest building and oldest parish church, founded ca. 1213 and consecrated in 1306.
 
Oude Kerk

Amsterdam has more than 60 miles of canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges!
 
 




And it seems everyone likes to hang out along these narrow canals.


 
Well, hard to believe my 45 day European adventure has come to an end.  Thank you for coming along and I hope to see you on my next adventure!

 
 au revoir, adios, arrivederci, Güle güle,  Avtio, Nashledanou, Doviđenja, Auf Wiedersehen, Tsh

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Clogs and Cheese

When one goes to the Netherlands, one must find the best place to buy some wooden shoes. And Irene-Hoeve in the town of Edam is where you must go! 
 

We were able to see a presentation on how the clogs are made. 

 
And we even got to try some on!


These are some pretty big shoes to fill!

A visit to Edam is just not complete without a tasting of the cheese by the same name!