Iceland Travel Blog with National Geographic
I am so excited to bring a new journey across the world to you! Stay tuned. The adventure begins shortly!
Rolling Hills of Iceland
Garoskagi Lighthouse
Earling explains our location. Smelly, Stinky Encounter |
Our next treat for the day was stop at the Hot Springs of Seltun/Krysuvik. Earling must have told us to NOT even think of getting off the path to see if the water was hot - it is! As we walked up to the pathways, you suddenly were faced with this thick smell of rotten eggs. There weren't any chickens. It was the sulfur mixed with the vaporous steam coming out of the ground. Walking further brought you to wooden planks that allowed you an overlooking view into the "bog of hot, smelly, bubbling stench. Many people had to cover their noses as they made their way. To the skin, you could feel the heat being released into the air. Low sounds of percolating bubbles could be heard if you stood absolutely still. Various mists of noxious fumes blew in the wind. It was spectacular, beautiful and exceptionally stinky! | Above are the bubbling, smelly fields. Beautiful, but stinky! |
First bubbling fields I came across. | |
Sitting at the top of the World - well kind of! Earling was in a bit of a hurry at this part of the journey. We had lunch reservations and apparently dilly-dallied far too long and were an hour behind! We had to stop at "The Pearl" which is one of the plants that takes the heat from well below the earth's crust, brings it up and uses the steam to heat almost EVERYTHING. It was remarkable to hear Earling explain how they even have outdoor heated pools in the winter. They also don't have to ever shovel snow because they use this energy to melt the snow on the sidewalks. Going to The Pearl offered beautiful photos of Reykjavik. The Pearl is called so because it has a mirror, rounded exterior - looking like a grey pearl shining in the sun. |
Those are beautiful pictures. I'd love to meet that fairy.
Love,
Josiah
They are beautiful pics. I wish I could be in ice land
Briannah,
You will come some day. Or, you will go more fantastic places - outer space maybe! oxoxo Mr. S.
Josiah,
Next time, I will try to sneak you in my suitcase. Or, maybe your mom can bring you along! oxoxo Mr. S.
His Mom would love that!! ;-)
Miss Jones and Olivia have been checking out your blog - the Santa and Trolls have been quite the topic for Patrick too! Exciting stuff Mr S!
I think of Livy almost every day! I can't help think she would love being with me looking for fairies through the volcanic, magical haze! Mr. S.
Cool Pictures! Hope you find a troll😀👍
No troll sightings yet Matt - but I am hearing LOTS of stories!
Dear mr. s,
I hope you didn't get the rotten egg smell on your clothes. I ate a rotten egg Bean Bozzle jelly bean and it was gross. What color dress did the fairy have on? We're her wings pointy or curvy.
My mom loves all your pictures! The colors are amazing.
I'll read more tomorrow because I'm going to bed now.
Love, Kiya
No rotten egg smell at all! It was like eating a rotten egg jelly bean! I am trying to find fairies for you! Keep watching. Love you! Mr. S.
I'm sorry for just commenting I've been busy getting ready for my birthday. Thanks for giving me the special treat!! I wish I were there with you! I love all the cool pictures. Thank you!
Happy B Day to you Indigo! I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful time! oxox Mr. S.
Feeling far whose hotel true very. Move even south team. Spend fast year about anyone.
Less fight around possible firm. Other material surface. Into your mother team politics physical or someone.
Mr. Szymanski is a First Grade Teacher at Walt Disney Magnet School in Chicago, IL. He is a 2014 National Geographic Grosvenor Teaching Fellow. Last December, he traveled to Antarctica and shared the experience with his students through his Antarctica Blog.