Iceland 2009

BIKE RIDE ACROSS THE REYKJANES PENINSULA - THE PANORAMIC VIEW

DAY 2 : MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2009 (1/3)

This day was set to cover some distance on a bicycle across the rugged Reykjanes Peninsula. The area is all volcanic and very rugged. Little plant life can grow, but there is a lichen that covers all the lava flows, looking like a thick, mossy blanket. When you step onto the lichen, you start to sink just a little bit— almost like walking on pillows.

We were driven down from Reykjavík to the start of a rift valley (where two continental plates are separating, which is the cause of the never-ending volcanic activity in Iceland). The bike ride followed the blue line on the map and ended up near a haunted fishing village. Here, we enjoyed a wonderful Icelandic lunch (served by our local Icelandic guide, Haldor, and his wonderful daughter).

On this page, you will find some panoramic photos that hopefully will give some feel for the dramatic and beautiful landscape in this rift valley.

The following two pages have individual shots of this valley ride and then the haunted fishing village. After that, we rode the van to Strandarkirkja, a small white church. We finished the drive at our home for the next several days, the Fire and Frost Guest House in Hveragerði.

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