13 August 2013

Overheard in Iceland

"There are no ugly women in Iceland"
The Vikings picked up slave women in Scotland and Ireland as they sailed to settle in Iceland. The theory is that they only took the most attractive women.

"Soaking is part of our culture" 
With all the hot springs around, soaking in hot pools is a favored pastime. The Blue Lagoon is between the airport and the city which makes it convenient for people to stop by on the way home for a hot soak.

"It's ALL about the fish"
I ate fish everyday. From pickled herring and tuna at breakfast, to cod, salmon, Arctic char and haddock for dinner.

"We don't drink the geothermal water, Joan"
Bathrooms and showers are interesting to figure out in different countries. In Iceland there was often a strong sulphur rotten egg smell when the hot water ran. The hot water was geothermal and the cold water was spring water. I soon learned to run the cold water for a few minutes before I took a gulp or brushed my teeth. Yuck!

"Your last name tells who you came from. Your first name tells us who you are"
The phone book lists everyone by their first name. Last names simply describe you as your father's son or daughter.

I can't resist sharing a few more photos. The trip I took was coordinated through Nordic Visitor. I was completely pleased. They have a Facebook page as well. More of my trip photos here.

Our last hotel on the road

Nice idea but not Johns Island tomatoes
Skyramasu! Skyr is Iceland's yogurt
I soaked in this one
Icelandic gas station. Yep.

12 comments:

Catalyst said...

Wow! Beautiful photos. And some education, too. Good post, Joan. Any pictures of you at the soaking pool? ;^/

Charlestonjoan said...

Heheh...I hope not! I didn't take my camera inside but one of my travel companions did. He had a waterproof camera.

Kate said...

I like the look of the "last hotel on the road."

Marcheline said...

I've been under the weather and only just found you're back! Love the photos! The people and lifestyle there sound almost too good to be true... a bit like an alien planet, but a beautiful one!

brattcat said...

these are so wonderful, joan. thank you.

Pixel Peeper said...

I really should go to Iceland, too. I totally could eat fish every day.

I knew that about the names (and their arrangement in the phone book) in Iceland. They are quite strict about first names, too - you can't just pick any name you want, like we do here in the U.S.

I'm off to your Smugmug site to check out the rest of your photos!

Charlestonjoan said...

Kate - it was sweet. Pretty remote but the owner/chef made us a delicious dinner.

Charlestonjoan said...

It was oddly alien and every so cool. I bet you would love it.

Charlestonjoan said...

It was difficult to take a bad photo, everything was so beautiful.

Charlestonjoan said...

You would love it. One one buffet I think salmon was served in ix different ways.

Pat said...

Believe it or not, Iceland has the lowest incidence of SAD on the planet because of the fishy diet.

Antjas said...

The Iceland Tourist Bureau needs to hire you. You're photos are breathtaking! I especially loved the puffins.