Wordless Wednesday
Travel
Thursday Thoughts – The Reykjavik Concert Hall
Harpa is the name of the concert hall and conference center in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The structure consists of a steel framework clad with geometric shaped glass panels of different colours. The distinctive colored glass facade was inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland.
The opening concert was held on May 4, 2011. As this unfortunately was our last day in Iceland, we could not attend any concert this time.
Harpa was designed by the Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects in co-operation with Danish – Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.
The building is the first purpose-built concert hall in Reykjavík and it was developed in consultation with artistic advisor Vladimir Ashkenazy and international consultant Jasper Parrott of HarrisonParrot. It houses the Iceland Symphonic Orchestra and the offices of The Icelandic Opera.
Needless to say, I was deeply impressed and in awe. The Icelanders are so aesthetically perfect, and so skilled at every possible art form.
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Hill
For Frank this week – I tried to squeeze in this prompt even if I am not at home (really)…
This farm had a spectacular setting up on a hill, and fleeting dark clouds on the mountains behind it.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #55 – Dreamy
Endless ocean, blue water, dreamy sky,
tranquil beach, love in the air, mind fly high.
―
I love Iceland, and spent a week and more there again this July, it was our fifth visit over the years. I love its dreamy, but often rugged atmosphere. They usually have all weathers in one day, and the landscape changes fast – and often dramatically.
A lot of people tell me I’m a bit dreamy, but I like the idea of that. Of being somewhere else.
– Alex Turner
I thought I would share some of that Icelandic dreaminess with you – so this week’s challenge is – Dreamy.
If you go to the dictionary, it says ”having a magical or pleasantly unreal quality; dreamlike.” On our way over the sea to Vestmannaeyar, this huge cliff emerged out of the fog and rain, when suddenly a ray of sun burst out through the heavy clouds and revealed a lonely farm house nesting in that emerald green. Who would have imagined? And who would be able – and want – to live out there? An enigmatic dream unveiled.
Wherever you go on Iceland, you will find lonely churches perched on mountain tops, hidden behind towering lava flows – or in fields of lupins. Looking like tiny toys placed there by a playful congregation. Often the little church is clearly visible from afar – but this one was only faintly visible in the fog. (And the lupins are of Alaskan origin…)
Dictionaries might also suggest an informal meaning of Dreamy – delightful; gorgeous. Maybe this last image belongs more in that category – or maybe in both of them. As usual, click to enlarge.
Finally, this window view, in the middle of the night, from Helgafell (Holy mountain). I wonder…were there really two tractors out there – or was I only dreaming?
There are many possibilities hidden in Dreamy – maybe you are given to or indulging in daydreaming? You might even want to illustrate one of your own dreams? Or are you one of those people who suffer from frequent nightmares (though I hope not …)? Now we are looking forward to Your interpretation of the theme Dreamy!
Last week brought us many wonderful details from you all, and thank you Patti for hosting last week’s Detail challenge.
Wordless Wednesday
Thursday Thoughts – Going Vestmannaeyar
Vestmannaeyjar came to international attention in 1973 with the eruption of Eldfell volcano, which destroyed many buildings and forced a months-long evacuation of the entire population to mainland Iceland.
Approximately one fifth of the town was destroyed before the lava flow was halted by application of 6.8 billion litres of cold sea water.
About 1500 people decided not to come back to the islands.
In 1979 We visited Heimaey, in the archipelago south of Iceland mainland, which is the only inhabited island here, and home to Eldfell. You could still boil an egg in the lava ashes, and putting down a finger would make your skin peeling off.
Our plan was to revisit now, 40 years later, to see in what ways the island had changed.
The photos show the views from the ferry takeoff and in the header, you can spot the whole range of the archipelago islands in the distance.
Wordless Wednesday
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #51 – Unique
Unique – ask a dictionary, and it says being the only existing one of its type or, more generally, unusual, or special in some way. The most unique place I have visited is the Galapagos Islands.
This Ecuadorian archipelago with 19 islands are all unique in their own way – both flora and fauna. They all have endemic species, and the animals let you come close without being startled or afraid. They do not consider humans their enemies. Unique.
Thank you, Charles Darwin!
Charles Darwins resa med HMS Beagle 1831-36, Galápagosdelen
Some of the strange and fascinating landscapes on the islands –
If you look closely, you might see the flamingo…-
We had a very unique opportunity to see the land iguanas eating from the giant cactii.
Not many visitors are that lucky – at least our guide told us so.
Unfortunately we came too late to meet Lonesome George. Every effort to help this last of his species failed, and he died 2012. But we met several other giant tortoises on the island Santa Cruz.
In the header, two marine iguanas – unique to these islands, but unfortunately on the road to getting even more unique. As the waters are warming due to climate change, their sea food is dying and their numbers are already decreasing.
Let us hope these islands will stay unique – in a positive way. Nature is good at mending – if we will just let it.
A special thanks to Amy for this week’s photo inspiration.
Friendly Friday Photo Challenge – Illumination
For Friendly Friday –
The soft sunlight on the clouds, seen from an aeroplane. And then, the inside of Casa Battlo´, with natural illumination and other.
This photo challenge is alternately hosted each Friday by the bloggers:
Something to Ponder About and The Snow Melts Somewhere
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Vista
Dear Frank, of My most breathtaking vista, I have no photographs. Machu Pichu was a childhood dream, and I went to Peru in the 1980’s to see it. No camera. When we finally reached the top of the mountain, the Urubamba river down below and the surrounding rainforest oozing thin dew drops along the mountain side…I could hardly breathe. For me, Nothing beats that vista.
So, I will have to give you another one. The Great Wall, the first time I saw it and walked it. Early morning light. Not a sound. That special feeling maybe fades a bit every time you visit, but it is still an impressive sight the fifth time you visit.
Many years later, we traveled on the highest elevated railway in the world – built on permafrost – from Beijing to Lhasa. The plateau on which Lhasa and Tibet is situated, offers stunning vistas every time you look out the window. They have to use extra oxygen in the train because of the height, but feeling ”high” on this journey had nothing to do with the extra oxygen…
These photos are all taken with a simple point and shoot – but highly treasured by me.
Leya 
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