Land of Fire and Ice

 Iceland is known as the 'Land of Fire and Ice' because it is a country of extremes.  From steaming geysers and mud pots to sparkling glaciers, we found Iceland to be country of dramatic landscapes.

11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers and 269 are actually named.  The largest is the Vatnajokull glacier  which covers more than 3127 sq. miles.  That's 3 times the size of Rhode Island! 

When parts of the glaciers break off, they make some beautiful icebergs in glacial lagoons.

Smaller pieces break off during the journey to the ocean to give the appropriate name of 'Diamond Beach' to one of the black sand beaches.

As to the 'fire' part of the nickname, Iceland has 600 hot springs and 200 volcanoes.  

Here we are at one of the beautiful dormant craters.

You've probably heard of the Fagradalsfjall Volcano that started erupting earlier this year.  When we were there in October, there was no visible flowing lava so we didn't make the hike.  Earlier this year our friends who are serving a mission in Iceland, did see the molten lava and even roasted marshmallows in  it.  I've borrowed a couple of her photos because they are just so fun! And really illustrate the 'fire' in Iceland.

You might remember the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull Volcano which caused severe travel disruptions for much of the world when 20 different countries closed their air space because of volcanic ash in the jet stream.  George was traveling from Portland to India and had to adjust his route.  Several of the guides we talked to said that everyone in Iceland was amused at listening to foreign newscasters say the name of the volcano - Eyjafjallajökull - 'because it really isn't that hard to say."  Right!!!

Roughly 85% of primary energy use in Iceland came from renewable resources.  Geothermal accounts for 66% of Iceland's primary energy use.

Here's one geothermal plant in the north of the country.

If you are driving by and happen to need a shower, no problem! And yes the water is warm enough to shower.

Our word 'geyser' comes from the Icelandic word, 'geysir' which means to gush.

There are also hot pots and steaming, bubbling lakes plus that rotten egg smell you may recall from a visit to Yellowstone.

Safety rules are a bit different from Yellowstone however!

Best of all, every town has its own heated swimming pool.  This one was more of a spa and the water contains a large amount of minerals, is alkaline and very healthy for your skin. A perfect temperature for totally relaxing after a long day of hiking!  The only hard part is getting from the dressing room to the warm water when it is really chilly outside - or downright cold, some might say.  And just like what you read, you MUST take a full naked shower before getting in the pool.  I had showered but was careful not to get my hair too wet and the attendant thought I hadn't showered and she stopped me before I left the dressing room.  I am glad that I could tell her that I had taken a shower.  

We read that some parents take their children to the pool every night for a shower followed by a relaxing soak, put them in their pjs and take them home all mellow and ready for bed.  Because energy is so cheap and abundant, Icelanders are known for their long showers and if the room gets too hot, they are just as likely to open a window as to turn down the heat.  

Land of Fire and Ice is spot on : a frozen landscape set right on top of a volcanic melting pot!  If you haven't been I highly recommend a visit.