Thursday, March 02, 2006
Thursday, July 22, 2004
THURSDAY
Had fun this morning booking transport out to the airport. Icelanders being very thorough ask what flight you are catching. Mine didn´t exist! Much telephoning confirmed that the flight does exist. The airport guarantees a bus to catch every flight. But they weren´t expecting a flight at this time (everything leaves Keflavik am or early pm) so it looks as if my bus is being operated by the bus company as a taxi.
Went to an open air swimming pool. Very Mediterranean. Water at 29 degrees (normal), plus three hot tubs, going up to very hot. Plus a steam bath. All in all a genuine Icelandic experience.
Whale watching this afternoon. Nothing seen for the first 90 minutes, and many passengers had been driven off the deck by cold or by sea sickness. Then some excellent sightings of minke whales, including some close ones. I had heard that their breath smells when they exhale, but it is something different to experience this when one blows at close quarters. Also saw some white-beaked dolphins - three in tight formation. Plus lots of puffins and fulmars. A jolly good trip, though my fingers are still tingling from the chill as I type this.
Went to an open air swimming pool. Very Mediterranean. Water at 29 degrees (normal), plus three hot tubs, going up to very hot. Plus a steam bath. All in all a genuine Icelandic experience.
Whale watching this afternoon. Nothing seen for the first 90 minutes, and many passengers had been driven off the deck by cold or by sea sickness. Then some excellent sightings of minke whales, including some close ones. I had heard that their breath smells when they exhale, but it is something different to experience this when one blows at close quarters. Also saw some white-beaked dolphins - three in tight formation. Plus lots of puffins and fulmars. A jolly good trip, though my fingers are still tingling from the chill as I type this.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
WEDNESDAY
Journey underway.
Arrived in Reykjavik on route to Kangerlussuaq. Sunshine and 17 degrees at the airport; warm and occasionally wet in Reykjavik.
The city seems very familiar after nearly three months here last year. There are a few changes, notably a shortage of internet cafes. Prices are lower, which helps.
Been to the "old" swimming pool in the town. It looks as if it is 1950s built, and curiously has a sign saying it is 82 feet long. As Iceland has never used imperial measures I'm puzzled. Was it built by the Brits? It seemed very quiet compared to a British pool - in particular the children were quiet. An add-on to the pool is open-air hot tubs, which I suppose makes sense in a city with endless free hot water from the friendly volcano. The whole pool smells of Reykjavik water, ie rotten eggs.
Arrived in Reykjavik on route to Kangerlussuaq. Sunshine and 17 degrees at the airport; warm and occasionally wet in Reykjavik.
The city seems very familiar after nearly three months here last year. There are a few changes, notably a shortage of internet cafes. Prices are lower, which helps.
Been to the "old" swimming pool in the town. It looks as if it is 1950s built, and curiously has a sign saying it is 82 feet long. As Iceland has never used imperial measures I'm puzzled. Was it built by the Brits? It seemed very quiet compared to a British pool - in particular the children were quiet. An add-on to the pool is open-air hot tubs, which I suppose makes sense in a city with endless free hot water from the friendly volcano. The whole pool smells of Reykjavik water, ie rotten eggs.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Greenland!
Greenland's flag represents the sun, the sea, the inland ice and the icebergs. The country has home rule within the kingdom of Denmark.
The capital is Nuuk, population 13,445, nearly a quarter of the total population of Greenland.
Sisimiut is the second town, population 5,127. Kangerlussuaq is where the international airport is to be found, and the musk oxen
The capital is Nuuk, population 13,445, nearly a quarter of the total population of Greenland.
Sisimiut is the second town, population 5,127. Kangerlussuaq is where the international airport is to be found, and the musk oxen
Key Web Links
AIR GREENLAND
ARCTIC UMIAQ LINES
UNIVERSITY OF GREENLAND
GREENLAND NATIONAL MUSEUM, NUUK
GRAEME'S ICELAND BLOG 2003
ARCTIC UMIAQ LINES
UNIVERSITY OF GREENLAND
GREENLAND NATIONAL MUSEUM, NUUK
GRAEME'S ICELAND BLOG 2003
