Iceland's Golden Circle tour

Site of the parliament in front of the lake Þingvellir

As I mentioned before, there is no public transport, so if you want to go to any place, you need to rent a car or take one of the many tours offered all over the place.

Renting a car is expensive, as it is the gasoline and parking, besides, I don’t like to drive for an extended period of times and not being able to see anything besides tundra. So, we took the tours.

The first one we did was Golden Circle Classic with Reykjavík Sightseeing at 13500 ISK for both of us = US$ 125.66.

The first stop was to see Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament in the world. The general public could observe the proceedings of the law council; however, only the chieftains were allowed to vote on the new rules and regulations enacted.

This is also the place where criminals were hung, beheaded, or drowned. It also is they burned at the staked the women believed to be witches, during the witch hunts of the late XVII century.
Besides, vengeance was a tradition, so this was the place were many bloody encounters happened.
It is a beautiful site and being able to walk where the oldest parliament convened was wonderful.

Tectonic plates wall

Here is also where the gigantic tectonic plates wall that separates America and Eurasia. (I don’t want to make a political joke, but it is hard not doing it when you see this gigantic natural wall separating North America from the rest of the northern hemisphere). This wall has pulled apart, and the resulting rift valley is right there before your eyes on the shores of Iceland’s biggest lake.

Geyser

The second stop was to see the Geysir Hot Springs, the home of the one-and-only original geyser and Iceland’s most iconic natural attraction.  The Geyser spouts every few minutes, however, if you are standing close to it, as we were, you don’t actually see it, as it is swift and all you see is the steam. I would recommend to stay farther away and then you would be able to see it in its full force. 

From there we went to see Gullfoss Waterfall, which is a glacial river that cascades down 32 meters = 105 ft. Beautiful waterfalls and great views of the park surrounding them. 

It was a great day, with magnificent sites, especially the Tectonic plates, I always wanted to see them, and now I had.

My beautiful granddaughter

Iceland

Iceland

Ísland

Iceland is a small Nordic island in the North Atlantic just south of the Arctic Circle. It measures 40000 sq. miles = 103.000 sq. Km and it has a population of 329.000. Most of the people live in Reykjavík. As you can imagine the rest of the island is vast open spaces which are formed by the lava from the 130 volcanoes on the island.

When I visited the Arctic Circle in the Scandinavian countries, I was at a higher latitude than here, and I was wearing short sleeves shirts during the day, in the mornings, and at night I needed a light sweater, so I figure that here will be the same. How wrong I was. It is freezing in here. I read about Iceland weather before coming here, and it said that despite the high latitude Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and that the summers are chilly. Well, this is not chilly, this is freezing. In the Arctic Circle in the Scandinavian countries, the landscape is green, here is tundra, so of course it is cold.

Oh well… live and learn.

I arrived at Keflavik International Airport two days before my granddaughter’s arrival. There is no public transport outside of Reykjavík, so I took a shuttle bus to Bus Hostel which is located at the bus terminal and an easy 15-minute walk to the center.

I visited the city, but I did not want to do much as I wanted to do it all with Hailey, so I went to visit one of many swimming pools. I went to Sundhöll Reykjavíkur which is located at Barónsstígur 45a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, which is a couple block from Hallgrímskirkja church, besides it was recommended by the hostel. Great place, all the swimming pools are thermal waters at different temperatures. There is also a couple of saunas and three hot tubs. You pay at the entrance and receive a bracelet. First thing is to get naked and shower in a typical women shower, meaning no partitions. There es a big poster signaling the essential parts you need to wash more carefully, and there is also a woman watching to make sure everybody showers with soap. If for some reason the woman is not there for a minute or two, the other ladies showering keeps a watch on each other, and if somebody doesn’t shower the proper way, they tell on you. I did not witness this, but I have been told that it happens. The reason for this is that there's a very low level of chlorine in the swimming pools, so, everyone is required to wash thoroughly before going in.

I love the hot springs and saunas, so I enjoyed myself very much, especially when, due to my age, I did not have to pay the 900 ISK = U$S 8.17 to get in. And if felt even better when they card me to make sure I was the age I claimed to be. 

When you are having fun, or you are late, time goes so fast; however, when you are waiting, time doesn't move. And here I am, seating at the Keflavik Airport waiting for her to arrive and to start our year together.

As she walked through the doors, at 6 am, my heart skipped a beat and tears flowed down my cheeks, and once she was in my arms everything felt right. 

So, here we commence our adventure.

The beginning of Backpacking with my granddaughter

Hailey at 18 months in Garmisch, Germany

The day before I was planning on leaving for North Carolina, my daughter called me to tell me that she was in labor. I told her to wait, that I was leaving right now. Taking my luggage, I jumped in the car and embarked on the 16-hour drive. As obedient as my daughter is, she waited for my arrival to have the baby.

When Hailey was born, I promised that I would always be there for her.

I know, I am a nomad, so I am not always in the same country or continent that she is; nevertheless, I am always available for her, and she is always in my mind.

She has been backpacking with me since she was 3 years old as she spends many summer and Christmas vacations with me gallivanting through this fantastic world. So, since an early age, she started her nomadic training.

Many years ago, I told her that after she graduates from high school, she can take a gap year and backpack with me through Europe.

Well, she graduated, and she is coming over. I am static; I am so happy that I can't contain myself.

I will have my granddaughter for a whole year.

Yeah!!!

My daughter and son in law are already missing her, but too bad, now she is mine, all mine.

And here is where our adventure commences.

When I wrote "Backpacking my Style," I kept track of my expenses for a year, and if you read the book, you know how little I spent, and if you don't know, read the book.

I am sure this year will be much, much more.

I will blog about our trip and post the expenses, and we'll see, the important thing is to enjoy our time together and not worry about money.

So, here we go, starting our adventure in Iceland!

Yeah!!!

My own sleeping beauty

By now you all know how I have been dreaming of this day. Finally, my granddaughter has arrived to spend a gap year with me.

I waited at the airport for her arrival with my watery eyes, and when I saw her pass the entry door, the tears just flowed down on me.

I can't describe the happiness that overpowered me.

I am so happy to have her here.

After a long trip and a walking tour of Reykjavik, she wanted to take a nap, that is understandable, we all do in those circumstances. However, she has been napping for 20 hours and doesn't want to wake-up.

I want to go out, to see things, to be with her and all she wants to do is sleep.

I don't know if I should wait for her to break my record of 23 hours sleep or keep on trying to wake her up.

Oh, the dilemma.

Chateau L'isle Marie, Roman Conquest

The Chateau

 Julius Caesar conquered the area, that until that moment has been part of Gaul, in 56 BC.

They Gauls were many different Celts tribes that inhabited this area, however, during the Iron Age, their different cultures started to mingle and become one tribe. The Greeks and Romans called all these nations Celts or Gauls.

Anyway, this Celtic area became the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis Secunda. Julius Cesar established his capital at Rotomagus, which today is the city of Rouen. The Romans founded many cities and built many roads. Actually, the road that we still use today going to Portbail has been built by the Romans.  Even that now it looks just like any other paved road.

Julius Caesar wanted to invade Romania because of its riches in precious metals. However, the Romans were afraid that Germany was going to invade the Gauls, as they already had crossed Switzerland toward France, crossing Romans territories. And if the Germans were able to conquer the Gauls, they would have a better advantage to also conquer Rome, and this was unacceptable.

Julius Caesar saw this as an opportunity to impress the Senate, so he embarked toward Gaul territory, and after he defeated the Germans and the Gauls submitted to Rome, he returned to Rome victorious.

Under the Roman rules, its inhabitants became Christianized in the 3^rd and 4^th centuries. Saint Mellon became the first bishop of Rouen in 260.

The Romans left in the 4^th century when the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes started invading the region and subsequently conquered the area in the 5^th century.

In 486 the area became part of the Frankish Merovingian kingdom of Neustria under King Clovis, until the 9^th century when the Vikings arrived.

They called this area Neustria, meaning that Neustria was the new (French neuf; German neu) area colonized by the Franks since their settlement in northern Gaul. Neustria was the western kingdom while Austrasia was the eastern kingdom. And the castle was situated in Neustria.

There are no ruins left from the roman’s times, so no pictures from that era.

And it is from the word "Franks" that France derives its name.

All the dining room chairs have their coat of arm on them

Look at that gorgeous face

Twilight

. 

Next post: The Viking

Chateau de L'Isle Marie, La Mancha, Normandy, France

Chateau de L'Isle Marie, my home for the next month.

The history of this place is the reason I am volunteering here.

Actually, after the house sit in Puget-Théniers, I wanted to go to a vegetarian/yoga place to see if I can lose some of the weight I gained there. However, when I saw the post for the chateau and its history, I have to come here, and I am so glad I did. The place is magnificent. The chateau and the areas surrounding are breathtaking.

            Just in case you don’t know the nobility rankings.

The Chateau

            King, Queen

Prince, Princess

Duke, Duchess

Marquess, Marchioness

Earl, Countess

Viscount, Viscountess

Baron, Baroness

Lord, Lady

Knight

Earls D'Aigneaux 

The castle has been in the Earls D’Aigmeaux Family for the last 800 years. However, the history of this area and this spot started long before.

This area has been inhabited since the paleolithic times, and it has been invaded by many tribes and countries all through the centuries.
From the Romans to the Vikings, to the Germans in WWII. In the next weeks, I will be posting about all the invasions and occupations.

Entry hall

Side view of the grounds

Next post: The Roman Times.

The Rite of Wands by Mackenzie Flohr

One boy…one Rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever.

And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s.

Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.

But Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Mackenzie is the author of the popular young adult fantasy series The Rite of Wands. 

A storyteller at heart, she loves to inspire the imagination. 

Mackenzie makes her home in Michigan, where she is currently penning her next adventure.

You can follow her on her publisher's page at:

http://www.bhcpress.com/Author_Mackenzie_Flohr.html

http://www.mackenzieflohr.com