Trip Iceland

Iceland is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean east of Greenland and immediately south of the Arctic Circle. About 79% of Iceland's land area, which is of recent volcanic origin, consists of glaciers, lakes, a mountainous lava desert, and other wasteland. About 28% of the land is used for grazing, and 1% is cultivated. The inhabited areas are on the coast, particularly in the southwest where about 60% of the population lives.

          Because of the Gulf Stream's moderating influence, the climate is characterized by damp, cool summers and relatively mild but windy winters. We landed at Keflavik, a small fishing town and planned to stay for few days. The August weather turn cold and strong wind but luckily I have heavy coat with me. The local currency is Iceland Krona but Euro and US$ are widely accepted.

         EU granted candidate status to Iceland by formally approving the opening of membership talks. As part of the European Economic Area, Iceland is already a member of the EU's single market. It is also a member of the Schengen Area which removes border controls between member states. Iceland could become an EU member in near future.

          The blue lagoon is located about 40 minutes from the capital Reykjavik and a stone throw from Keflavik. I can see smoke stacks of the power plant from my lodging. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous attraction. A pool of superheated neon blue water, it is believed to have restorative effects.

          The path to the lagoon entrance has been carved into the lava and the winding shape. It gives the spooky feeling like you are going to be covered by hot lava.

          A popular misconception is that the Blue Lagoon is a naturally occurring hot spring pool; this is not one of them. The water that fills the Blue Lagoon actually comes from a nearby geothermal power plant. The hot water (about 464 degrees Fahrenheit) comes from over 6,000 feet deep below the ground and is used to create electricity for the nearby city of Reykjavik.

          The lagoon gets is vivid blue color from the blue-green algae and white silica mud. This water, which is about 240 degrees C, passes through several processes to generate electricity and then heats water that in turn heats 89% of Icelandic homes. The extra run off forms the blue lagoon which is about 35 degrees C to about 40 degrees C year round.

          The blue lagoon is known as a therapeutic bathing pool. The lagoon has proven health benefits. Scientists say bathing in the lagoon has positive effects on psoriasis and eczema. The lagoon is a very popular tourist attraction, mainly because of the many health benefits. The Blue Lagoon produces and markets the Blue Lagoon skin care products, based on active natural ingredients from the Blue Lagoon.

         No it is not a fountain of youth. This man made waterfall makes for the most powerful and energizing massage! I have tried and felt good but the restoration of my skin has no effect on me. (Possibly it beyond repair).

          Volcano Kerio is a 55 meter deep volcanic crater formed over 3000 years ago after an explosion. It is contains a lake with stunning blue/green water. Located just off the road, you climb the slope up to the crater edge and look over into the waters below. It is pretty spectacular, with the blue/green water being offset by the red soil on the walls of the crater. The crater is in the same route of the famous “Golden Circle”.

         Travelling around Iceland it is interesting to note the different vegetation cover on the older and younger lava flows. Lavas older than 1000 years have a thick growth of moss whereas younger lavas have little vegetation. Should I believe it?

          Geysir (English: Geyser) There are to be seen some of the most famous sights of the island, the geysers. The biggest geysers of Haukadalur valley are Strokkur and Geysir itself, which gave others their name. Strokkur is very dependable and erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, whereas the bigger Geysir has been quiet for some time. There are also a lot of other little hot springs nearby.

         You can see the base of Strokkur, and can watch the heated water swirling and gurgling. As it gets closer to erupting, you can see the pressure building as the water starts to rise slowly in a dome...then all of a sudden off she blows!!.

         Almost as fascinating is after the erupting, the excess water is sucked back down into the hole, just like a sink when you pull out the plug. The Geysir is part of the Iceland famous tour “Golden Circle”. The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in South Iceland, covering about 300 km looping from Reykjavik into central Iceland and back.

          Gullfoss (English: Golden Falls) The fall also located on the "Golden Circle. We arrive in the top parking lot at the falls, near the visitor center, you can't see the falls, but you can hear the thundering water in the distance. It gets louder as you walk towards the edge of the cliff....and then you look over and see the falls ahead.

          Gullfoss is Iceland's most famous waterfall, and are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The falls are the most powerful in Europe. The view from up here is great, but for an even better look, there is a 5 minute walk that takes you right onto the rocks at the edge of the falls! Fabulous to be so close to this beautiful natural wonder! Just don't get too close to the edge. I saw a picture of frozen Gullfoss, very impressive and massive ice block.

          A spectacular waterfall that cascades into the mighty Hvita River. Gullfoss is two-tiered waterfall - the two levels of falls making this an extremely awe-inspiring sight. There is the first drop with foaming water surging over rocks, and then the second drop is into a narrow canyon which is 70 meters deep and 2.5 kilometers long. The spray that comes up from the falls is pretty impressive - be prepared to get a little wet.

          During World War II the military airfield served as a refueling and transit depot. During the Cold War, NAS Keflavik played an important role in monitoring marine and submarine traffic from the Norwegian and Greenland Seas into the Atlantic Ocean. Forces from the United States Air Force were added to provide radar monitoring, fighter intercept, in-flight refueling, and aerial/marine rescue. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, the base's role was cast into doubt. The base officially closed on 30 September 2006.

          The 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull are relatively small for volcanic eruptions, caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over an initial period of six days in April 2010. Few of my co-workers stranded in Europe’s cities for few days waiting for sky to open up and I did not hear any complaint when they got back in the office (umm….). cr-image Bryanjar Gauti

          The overall landscape of the Iceland is spectacular. The land is very empty, bare land, no trees and it can pass for a lonely planet. Iceland is one of the least densely populated countries in the world (less than 320,000 and rank 233 of 240). cr-image Henrik Thorburn.

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Trip Stavanger Norway

Stavanger, Norway is situated on the southwestern coast of Norway (in the county of Rogaland); 600km from Oslo, the capital of Norway, and lies on a line of latitude level with the southern tip of Alaska.

   I was sent here because work related. I have been in Stavanger several times but for short trip, one or two nights the most. I did squeeze some time off to do some tourist thing.

  A historic highlight for the last half of the 20th century was when oil was found under the ocean that once provided large fish-canning industry. Now, this part of Norway is the nation`s richest. Because of Stavanger`s healthy economy and good standard of living.

   The post-war years proved difficult until the 1960's when Stavanger became the oil capital of Norway. Today, after 30 years of economic growth, it has developed into a modern cosmopolitan, multi-cultural and prosperous city. Breiavatnet is the small lake with fountain situated in the center of Stavanger.

   A large percentage of the Stavanger populous is oil workers from numerous companies and countries (the UK and US inhabitants are the large percentage of the foreign workers).

  You can't leave Stavanger without to see the Gamle Stavanger, the ancient Stavanger. This is the oldest side of the town and you can see many old white wooden houses built in the 18th century with small streets with rocks. To make a walk in this part of the town is like to come back to the time.

   Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger)
Most of the city’s old town sits on one of two small hills which partially surround the old harbor. The houses are partly in private ownership, and partly owned by the City. There is no fee to visit the site. The city is full of artists and you can buy paintings, potteries, jewels and much more.

   Old Stavanger consists of more than 150 old timber houses built in the late 18th and early 19th century. The site, being the best preserved collection of timber houses in northern Europe, is preserved by law as a historical monument, and gives a real impression of the old city.

   The Bybrua suspension bridge over the Stromstein-sundet to the island of Buoy, Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway. The bridge is 1067 metres long, the main span is 185 metres, and the maximum clearance to the sea is 26 metres. Stavanger City Bridge (Bybrua) was the first larger cable-stayed bridge in Norway. It was opened in 1978.

   Go on a fjord cruise in one of Norway's most breath-taking fjords. Passing the regular ferry along the way. The trip starts from Stavanger downtown harbor. Several trip options offered but since my back was in pain, I just took an easy one (no climbing involved).

   A big beautiful cable-braced bridge strung above fjord near Stavanger. I was on the sightseeing boat and getting ready to get in the fjords.

   Sightseeing boats stop on the Lysefjord to see Hengjanefossen fall. The captain sail right up to the fall and fill a bucket so that passengers can taste the pure mountain water. I declined the offer.

   This picture of the fjord was taken from the car park area along the highway. We managed to take a time off to drive around the country side.

   View of Fjord from the highway.

   Stop at the rest stop to take a break. The scenery is speechless.

Dorga Bridge.
   Dorgefossen is special because you have an undisturbed and spectacular view down the fall from a secure platform in order to observe how the erosion power of the water has created this fall and has carved a vertical canyon into the rock.

Dorga Bridge.
   Very deep water flow formation thru the canyon. Very impressive and massive rock. We were told about water fall (Dorgafossen) but can’t see much water or may be dry season.

   The Norwegian coastline is 21,000 km long with hundreds of fjords and inlets. It is a rugged, mountainous country with limited rail and road when away from the main centers of population.

   Travel between Stavanger and Trondheim normally requires transportation via ferry or by tunnel. The city of Bergen is 125 km north of Stavanger but will take up to 6 hours by road. Olso is 9 hours away by road (12 hours in the winter snow). Air travel is increasingly important and is the only really practical method of covering the large distance between the major cities.

   The cost living is pretty high in Stavanger. I think food is expensive compare to USA. Mac combo meal cost more than US$12, a decent dinner cost about US$40, a glass of Coke or water or beer cost almost the same. I found two Thai restaurants in town and few Chinese places. Rental car with automatic transmission cost unbelievable and difficult to get one. Hotel room is small with small single bed (I am too big !!!!).

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Trip Assisi Italy

Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi — patron saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order, and one of the most popular Catholic saints in history. Assisi's main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, which contains the sacred relics of Francis and beautiful frescoes of his life.

    Assisi is a small town in central Italy, located in the heart of Umbria, Assisi is the perfect base for visiting the magnificent and historical towns and villages in the spectacular and panoramic countryside.
We made a stop here during the trip between Rome and Florence.

    The town of Assisi, with its Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and sacred shrines, has been a major Catholic pilgrimage destination for centuries and is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.

    The town's welcoming Main Square is an inviting place to relax. Assisi has long been a spiritual center. The main drag leads from the town center to the basilica, which holds the much-venerated body of St. Francis.

   A trip to Assisi shows Francis' message of love and care for creation has a broad and timeless appeal. Travelers like us become pilgrims of a sort as we explore the town, remember Italy's patron saint and of course the restaurant keep our body happy.

    Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi.
Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi is a rather incongruous memorial to a man who preached and lived a simple life of poverty, abstinence, and renunciation of worldly goods in search of greater spirituality.
There are at least seven other churches well worth visiting for their history, beauty, and connection with Francis or his friend Clare.

    Brother Francis died in Assisi on October 3, 1226. On March 29, 1228, a site for the church was donated to the Pope by Simone di Pucciarello. Located outside the Assisi city walls on the western tip of Asio hill, the land had formerly been used for state executions and was accordingly known as the "Hill of Hell." A month later, Pope Gregory IX granted an indulgence of 40 days out of purgatory to all who contributed donations and work to the new church.

    The Basilica of St. Francis is made of two main levels, the upper church (basilica superiore) and the lower church (basilica inferiore), plus a small underground crypt housing the tomb of the saint.

Lower Church
    The lower church was built first and contains the papal High Altar under which St. Francis was buried. It can be entered from stairs inside the church or via a Gothic portal on the Piazza Inferiore.

Upper Church
    Completed in 1280, the upper church is a striking contrast to its downstairs neighbor. The interior is a magnificent example of Italian Gothic: light-filled, airy, joyful, and alive with color.

    There was an exhibition while we visit the basilica. Muro del Tempio di Gerusalemme “ÉNKYKLIOS”

Muro del Tempio di Gerusalemme “ÉNKYKLIOS”
    We left Assisi for Florence and we still have plenty of energy because we have great Italian pizza (with anchovy???!!) in town.

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