Iceland

Below are pictures from my visit to the Blue Lagoon near Keflavik, Iceland. The Bláa Lónið (Blue Lagoon) is a series of lava pools filled with algae and mineral rich water. The algae and silica in the water cause the pools to glow light blue. The water here is just above 100°F, which was nice because the outside temperature was just about 40°F when I visited.

The Blue Lagoon pools are located in the middle of a flat and barren lava field. Next to the spa complex is Svartsengi, the geothermal power plant responsible for the creation of the Bláa Lónið.

Here are pictures from my time in Reykjavík, Iceland. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland is the country's largest city with a population of 220,000. Nearly two thirds of all Icelanders live in the Reykjavik area but it isn't a traditional 'big city.' Reykjavík is very walkable and the city center is laid out like most European cities of similar size.

Sunrise over Greenland a short time before arriving in Iceland.

Here are my pictures of Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik, Iceland. Hallgrimskirka is the tallest building in central Reykjavik. It's name literally means 'the church of Hallgrimur.' Hallgrímur Pétursson was a priest in the 17^th century who wrote some of Iceland's most famous hymns. Below are some of pictures of the church and of Reykjavik from the church's tower.

Here is the photo set from my trip to the Gullfoss, Geysir and Kerið. The drive to Gullfoss was about two hours long. The highway out of Reykjavik goes through a flat lava field for few miles before driving through a mountain ridge down into the Haukadalur farming valley between the capital and the Þingvellir National Park.