Eyjkafjallajokull volcano and more

Much better sighting of the Northern Lights last night than on the ship. Hardest thing to get my head around was that the Lights yo my naked eye appear whitish, but on the camera cone out green. Those with much better cameras than mine have better images, but we all saw the same thing.

By the time we got in last night I was totally ready for my bed so forewent the hot chocolate thateas to be offered later and headed to my room. I can now be really satisfied that I have seen an amazing spectacle of the Northern Lights.
So, today after breakfast we headed to a very close by volcano museum to watch a video on the 18th century volcano. If the same event happened today, of the same magnitude, the whole world would be affected, primarily due to the ash. We then head to a viewing point of the he snow covered lava fields. As the sun was rising atthesametime, it was a magnificent view point, but icy winds meant we weren’t wanting to stay out of the buc for long.

Next stop is the Skogar museum. SBand I visited here last time, but in the rain, so it was nice to wander about the outside buildings (including the miniature elves homes) in clear but icy wind. Very interesting and well presented. Especially liked the Sid houses.

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There was also a very well presented transportation museum and telecommunications equipment museum. Icelanders were relatively early to utilise electronic communications. The fist wireless radio signals were received in Reykjavik in 1905. We then headed to VIK for a lunch break. Had a lovely big bowl of tomato soup, then wandered around the shop and ended up with yet a couple more ‘must have’ souvenir gifts. Back on the coach for a very short trip to the nearby Skogafoss waterfall. It was really, really strong winds and icy path to get near to the waterfall, but worth the effort.

And now we are headed for the black sands of Reynisfjara beach. Heaps of people around but easy enough to keep out of my way! Still amazed at the amount of Asians and Chinese visitors.. the tine pebbles are black as black and you squish into the layers of these tiny, tiny pebbles and rocks. Another fantastic spot for changing coastline and ocean.

A short time later we have a photo opportunity to see the magnificent snow covered Eyjafjallajokull (phonetic pronunciation is something like Ay u flea at l yo colt) volcano. If you get to pronounce it accurately you can consider yourself more fluent thanShiny Bright kept insisting she was! Louisa told us that there are security people a5 the airport who check you know how to pronounce it correctly before they let you leave the country. I could be here for the foreseeable future!

We are then meant to be heading back to our hotel to arrive about 5 pm, which happens to coincide with happy hour in the bar, however a bus load of French people have had bus failure so we are all dropped back at VIK in order for Simon to go and collect the Frenchiesand bring them to VIK. I don’t really mind except that it is eating 8nto our happy hour as we don’t get back to the hotel until almost 6, and Captn D had lost one of her cramponsin the snow last night whilst searching for the Northern Lights last night and I had seen it as we headed out this morning so as soon as our coach finally arrived at the hotel I headed out straight away with Foggyto retrieverhe crzmpon, which we duly did. I’m wondering if Captn D was feeling a bit left out since Shiny Bright and Foggy’s Cinderella re-enactment in the glass igloo?
Anyway, still managed to fit in a couple of cheeky Sav Blancs before dinner, which was Arctic Char and very nice. Then back to the room to rug up yet again as we head off in search of the Northern Lifhtsone last time.
Well dear armchair readers it was well worth the effort as the Lights were amazing. At times they truly were dancing across the skies and at one stage it was very clear different colours of reds. Breathtaking and the sort of moment that leaves you at a loss for words to describe the magnificent spectacle. Well worth freezing my patootie for!!!