Hvalfjordur (Whale Bay)

Just north of Reykjavik there is a impressive area, a bay called Hvalfjordur. Carved in to the west coast lies a three bottomed bay with it’s spectacular mountain scenery. A tour to Whale Bay is just an hour away from Reykjavik. An area so rich of history and framed with steep mountains, dropping almost straight into the sea. A photographer’s delight.

Hvalfjordur used to be  regularly visited by fish migrating to the north and now and then is visited by whales. The topographical name “Sildarmannagotur” (Herring Path) stems from these times.

The highest waterfall of the country, Glymur, is in Hvalfjordur but it is a three hour hike from the road and some difficulties to reach. There are three fine salmon rivers in the area.

The convoys of the allies (England and The United States) used to seek shelter in Hvalfjordur on path to Murmansk during the Second World War.

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The Reykjanes Peninsula

Just south of the international airport at Keflavik we find the Reykjanes toe. An area so bare it stings the eye. Very rugged lava fields laid out as if the whole area was one gigantic crater. Strangely enough this area has a mesmerizing appeal and the wealth of motives for the photographer is endless.

This is where one can find the first sights of the meeting of the continents. A rift in the landscape approx. 30 ft. wide. The bridge between continents is conveniently placed there ensuring safe passage between America and Europe (no passports needed).

The area is littered with open geothermal hot springs, clay- and mud pits giving the area a scent of sulfur in the air but more interestingly, a feel of danger all around.

When ever one drives form or to the airport, on the main highway, this place — Reykjanes — is missed  along with Krísuvik. Two absolutely beautiful and breathtaking places that most tourists miss when visiting Iceland. This really is a shame as it only takes so little time to include in either arrival to  or departure from Iceland.

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Krísuvík, the ever so often forgotten pearl.

The Krisuvik Tour

Just south east of Reykjavik is Krisuvik, actually on a back road to the Blue Lagoon and the Int. Airport. It is a place where you will find hot springs, mud pools and clay pits in a hillsides to a volcanic mountain ridge created mostly in Holocene eruptions from under a glacier and more recent.

There you find the lake Kleifarvatn surrounded by mountains on three sides. Small grassy panes with grazing live stock and the Foul pit. A hot clay/mud pit almost hidden from view even if it is right next to the road. Greenlake, a crater lake with its emerald colored water so eerie and strange.

At Krisuvik you almost travel back in time to when man and nature were coexisting in harmony and machine hadn’t made it’s mark on time.

A very short part day tour for the timeless that still want to see the essence of Iceland first hand.

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Does it really rain in Iceland all the time?

It is very understandable to wonder if when traveling in Iceland you will meet such a rainy place as the tale tells you. The country is in the path of all the storms coming from the south west Atlantic area so if there is a hurricane or a storm down there it is bound to pop up in Iceland on its way across the Atlantic but .....

This statement of always raining is a myth. Half true and half false. On the continents we are used to when it rains it pours and when it pours it rains. It is not so in Iceland. Iceland's rain is mostly showers. Short, drizzle from time to time during the day. If it rains at all. What is true is that it is very often cloudy.

Different layers of clouds pan the Icelandic sky. Perhaps this is the reason why photographers of all ages love to travel to Iceland. To live the adventure of the landscape and views being hugged by clouds carried across the sky by the ever present cool wind. Clouds in a constant struggle with the sun rays trying to pierce.

On second thought the truth of the matter is that it does rain a lot in Iceland and unfortunately one never knows where and when. To travel in Iceland is a risk if you are looking for nice weather and sun. We still have that to but no guaranties. What we can offer you as a guaranty is though, a place unlike anything you have seen, rain or sunshine. Stillness and quiet, calm and catching and you will love it.

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