Voyage of the Vikings, Report #6a, Day 1, Reykjavik, Iceland In our first of 2 days here two misconceptions are soon clarified. Firstly, Iceland is green, whereas, Greenland is ‘not so much’. Secondly, Iceland has only a small cap of ice, whereas, Greenland is almost totally covered in a cap of ice. Bob and Kerrell are booked on an independent full-day tour, Bustravel Iceland, from Reykjavik; the “South Coast Tour”. We are joined

by only one other couple from our ship. Heading south the geological creation of Iceland is apparent as we pass through a large lava field. Attesting lava’s vast amount of latent heat, on its periphery is a geothermal electricity generating plant. Hydropower comprises about 73% of Iceland’s total electricity

generation while the rest is produced from geothermal sources. Iceland produces the highest amount of ‘green’ electricity per capita in the world. At Skógafoss (in

English, Waterfall on

Skógar River) we marvel at the 60-meter drop. During the ice age this was once a sea-side cliff. As the weighty burden of ice lifted, the land rebounded upward producing this sheer cliff standing above lowland moors. Bob, of course, must run to the top viewing spot. In the charming town of Vik, Iceland’s southernmost village just south of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, we

find legendary “trolls in the sea”, spectacular off-shore rock formations the subject of Icelandic myth. And, thrilling particularly to Bob, numerous colorful paragliders in a spectacularly beautiful landscape, effortlessly cliff soaring on

uprising sea breezes. Nearby, at Black Sand Beach, we find formations of basaltic columns where stagnant pools of molten lava cooled slowly in place. Above the columns, just a few feet away, nesting Puffins! Returning to Reykjavik

we stop to approach the face of Sólheimajökull the snout of glacier Mýrdalsjökull. We take a photo with our knowledgeable guide. Covered in a veneer of black basaltic crumbs this glacier is retreating fast. At Seljalandsfoss,

a waypoint during The Amazing Race 6, we walk behind the cascade, the spray on our face as the falling river plunges with great force into the pool below. A full day

exploring the dramatic south coast of Iceland – 420 K showing on Bob’s GPS – we are back in Reykjavik exhausted

but thrilled with today’s travel adventure. Day 1 in Iceland has been perfect! Having a fantastic cruise, ‘till next we have the pleasure of seeing you, love to all, Bob and Kerrell, http://lincolnshome.wordpress.com/