Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls.

Reykjavik

New York was on my radar. And upon researching my flight path back to NZ, stumbled upon WOW Airlines, with cheap flights to Boston. So there was a wild card and I found myself in Iceland.

16 Sept, saying goodbye to Glastonbury, for a midday flight from Bristol to Keflavik, arriving at 2 pm. I stayed at Bus Hostel, in Reykjavik, and had a dawdle around. It was cold arriving in. I found that Iceland is like living in an airport, as it seemed expensive to buy food. And so I was glad that I had been in contact prior with a woman Johanna. About a Help X work exchange at her Guest House. It was confirmed and I booked a bus northwards.

Hvammstanga

It was seriously beautiful scenery on the way, waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls. Arriving at Hvammstanga, a small village by the water in the North. I found my way up the hill to the Guest House, Gistiheimilli Honnu Siggu, Gardevegur.   

You can see the northern lights from here. And Johanna whom I am staying with said that sometimes you can see whales in the harbour.  It is a quiet town, and this suited me just fine.  There was not many people staying, with the colder weather, so the job wasn’t too difficult. It was of course very clean.  It was nice to have somewhere to stay for a good while.  Johanna and her husband were very kind to me. When I arrived the handle off my wheelie bag had broken, and he fixed it for me. For a traveler this makes one very happy. I was able to rest there too and had some lovely meals.

Whilst staying there, I enjoyed taking walks and exploring the small town. Visiting the Kidka Wool Factory shop, for their woolen Icelandic designs, conversing with the shop keepers. Seeing the horses, out walking, seeing the sea. And visiting the local swimming pool with an outdoor hot tub and steam bath, to keep the bones warm! It was doing cleaning work at the Guest House, changing beds, etc. It was nice to talk with the guests. It was perfect, as the weather was still cold there, I guess they were at the start of their winter. I spent much time organising future groups online.

Crossed the Northern Lights off my Bucket List!

I was graced to see the Northern Lights, on my last night there. I had the hunch to open the curtain, and there it was above! I went past the room of my hosts, and let them know, ‘I’m going out to see the Northern Lights.’ They weren’t fazed, for them, I guess it’s like seeing trees grow. It just kind of happens. I was amping, and they were in normality.

So standing in the middle of the street, with eyes glued to the sky, the lights they danced above me. Like a giant paint brush coating the sky with a wash. It was green, not a bright green though. There was a big circle above me very briefly. Then merged into washes around the sky and then it exited. I was very happy that the lights had shone above me that night. As it was something I had always wanted to see. I later found that many other travellers had seen them that night too. I wasn’t long outside and then back in to the warm, the show was over.

Akureyri

From there, I caught a bus to Akureyri, where I stayed at the Akureyri backpackers. Really good place to stay. Went for a walk in the evening as the sun was sinking, with a fellow from the hostel. We took photos down by the water of the boats. A boat that looked interesting was about to leave. I asked what they were doing, and it was at Northern Lights tour. Where they go out on the sea to see them. There is a small ounce of regret that we didn’t jump on that boat, as it was a clear night. Oh well, there really are no regrets.

I loved the fact that the traffic lights in this town have heart shaped stop lights… to lift the spirits during an Icelandic winter.

After a few nights in this town, wandering about, and a bit of gridwork. I caught a bus back down to Reykjavik. Staying at Bus hostel again.

Hafnarfjordur

My last day in Iceland, in the morning with my bag in tow. I made my way to Fjordur as it is enroute to Kevlavik airport. It is the third largest town in Iceland, and only a fifteen minute drive from downtown Reykjavik. Its almost hard to know where Reyjkavik finishes and Hafnarfjordur starts. Hafnarfjordur is a charming fishing town, its an important port since the 14th century thanks to its secluded harbour.

Upon reading online that its evidently where ley lines meet, I made the side journey. I really liked this town, it felt peaceful there. And if I ever go back to Iceland I would like to stay there. Spending time near some rocks with quite a strong energy.

Hellisgerdi Park

You might be surprised to learn that in addition to its 30,000 human residents. Hafnarfjörður is also home to Huldufolk, collectively called ‘Hidden Folk’. Local folklore has it that you can visit these nature beings in Hellisgerði. In that, many of the native Iceland folks believe in the existence of Elves, dwarfs and other mystical beings, with many stories

Hellisgerdi Park s a small enchanting garden tucked away on a quiet street. Just a 5-minute stroll from the town centre of Hafnarfjordur, It’s easy to imagine elves at home there. With its old trees and gorgeous flowers. With walkways weaving in the moss-covered lava rock formations. Leading you in to secret Elf walks and hidden waterfalls and ponds.

Tourists go there looking for the elves and come away disappointed. But maybe the elves have seen them coming! Definitely felt the magic in this park, and spent quite a lot of time here. Also buried a pearl there under tree. The walk starts at the the Elf Garden house. That offers gifts inspired by huldufolk and nature.

Thoughts on Iceland.

The Churches – with so many architectural clever designs. Varied, unique and sitting well in the environs. If there isn’t already a photographic coffee table book of the churches, then there ought to be. Some look Space Age or Sci Fi. They are a far cry from the churches and steeples of ye old England.

The food. I ate a lot of Skyi yoghurt, which is commonplace in Iceland and from an old culture or something. I ate lots of rye bread and rye crackers. And an abundance of meat and lamb where I was staying at the Guesthouse, as in Iceland meat is king. I ate a lot of coleslaw, as it was cheaper on the travels!

The Icelandic people are very resilient. They like to keep to themselves, as anyone would living on an island in arctic conditions. But at the same time a warmth shines through. With open conversation be respectful to them and to their country. They are very respectful to their own country. It was looked after and clean and organized.

Horses everywhere, happy looking horses – on vast landscapes. And water everywhere. In Iceland you are always reminded of water, everywhere is waterfalls.

Vatn – Water

Tak – thankyou.

1st October, 3.30pm flew with Wow airlines from Keflavik to Boston, USA.