Land of Ice and Fire

23 januari, 201624 januari, 2016 / Leya / 39 kommentarer

On leaving Vik, the landscape slowly turned into even darker earth colours. A last glimpse of the church half way up in the mountains.

Just around the mountain ridge, the landscape opened up to the sea again.

A glacier river graced the crossroads. Mýrdalsjökull in low light.

Arriving at Seljalandsfoss, Vestmannaeyar just sat in my lens…again.

The sun setting over the faraway islands, almost made me forget the Bride’s veil, Seljalandsfoss, waiting for us on the mountain.

Fire on the left hand side – and ice on the other..

I do not understand how someone could have managed to get behind the falls this day – the icy path made us stay away from trying…But, as you can see, someone did.

I wonder what sort of shoes you must wear to manage this! Where is the path? This is the rail to the steps…

Windows capturing the last of the setting sun over Vestmannaeyar.

We slowly returned to Reykjavik, silent and very satisfied with this glorious day.

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Heading for South Iceland

17 januari, 201617 januari, 2016 / Leya / 59 kommentarer

As we only had a few days in Iceland, we wanted to show our friends a piece of Route No 1. Luckily we were blessed with a sunny day, even though the sun this time of the year only is up between 11 a.m and 4 p.m.

We started off around 10 a.m to be on the road for the sunrise.

And soon, the sky turned yellow and orange, revealing the hot springs steaming.

On our right side, the sun was awakening, and I waited for the first rays to hit the mountains on our left side. A creamy lilac across the snowy white.

Soon Hekla, the most famous volcano – and one of the most active ones (last eruption 2000) – crowned the wheaten landscape in all her glory. The farms still there below her snowcapped face.

Faraway at sea – a glimpse of Västmannaeyar with Heimey. We wanted to go there with our friends, but unfortunately the ferries took a longer route this time of the year. And I can still, vividly, remember how heavy the sea was last time we went. And, how sick I got from it…

These islands are otherwise well worth visiting. Maybe best in summer though. Puffins and other birds nesting, and you can still see the lava stream from the latest eruption burying houses and almost the harbour as well.

Along the south coast, the road is straight and easy to drive. The beautiful low, golden light followed us throughout the journey.

For today, we finish at Eyafjallajökull. Further along the road we will visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss – and of course Vik, with its black beach and roaring waves.

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#36 Eget tema: En blå dag – A Blue Day (359/365)

6 december, 2015 / Leya / 12 kommentarer

#35 Eget tema: Lågsäsong – Off Season (358/365)

6 december, 20156 december, 2015 / Leya / 10 kommentarer

#32 Eget tema: Illusion – Illusion (355/365)

5 december, 2015 / Leya / 2 kommentarer

#28 Eget tema: Bergsklättring – Climbing Mountains (351/365)

29 november, 2015 / Leya / 3 kommentarer

Travel theme: Inspiration

29 november, 201529 november, 2015 / Leya / 7 kommentarer

Why not join in at Ailsa’s this week – we all want to be inspired! Click here to see more!

Returning from China some weeks ago, my inspiration is still centred there. Especially from Water Village (https://treetreats.wordpress.com/2015/11/21/water-village-yangtze-river-china/).

Most of all…Nature. And man made things inspired from nature.

Like Chinese silk embroidery.

Snow and Mist – Magle Wetlands

25 november, 201527 november, 2015 / Leya / 28 kommentarer

I left Hovdala in the best of moods, heading for Magle, the water and the birds. I imagined the strong cold and the water would make some grand mist.

Driving down the narrow road I saw the sun throwing diamonds my way…

…so, I stopped to collect them…

…and I became very rich…

And, richer I would be, further along the road – at Magle.

The mist had risen from some parts of the ponds, but at the far end – it hadn’t yet. It took me some time to get there though, as only the footprints of one single person were there before mine.

I certainly was richly rewarded. As the sun slowly warmed up the air – unveiling the ducks, swans and cormorants. A heron gliding low in the mist.

The mute swans were showing off their beauty, while the ducks seemed busy just staying warm.

I was looking for the whooper swans, but they were not there. Following the path further on, I finally found them.

Three of them were balancing on the thin ice – while finishing their morning toilet.

The bench where I usually rest, birdwatching, was not very useful today…

Looking back a last time, I realized this was the finest winter day this year. Hopefully there will be some more diamonds to collect this winter… I enjoy being rich.

#242 Reseminnen – Travel Memories (349/365)

22 november, 201523 november, 2015 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

Från min senaste resa till Kina och flodfärden på Yangtsekiang, kommer jag för alltid att bära med mig minnena från Water Village. En resa in i det gamla Kina, sinnebilden av kinesisk tradition, konst och måleri, ja även poesi. En oförglömlig vandring i en gången tid. Om du är intresserad kan du gå till hela inlägget. Klicka på länken under bilden.

From my latest trip to China and the Yangtze River, there is one memory that will never be erased – the day we visited Water Village. This day was a hike into the heart of Old China. The essence of every art form, be it painting, writing, marriage traditions… Unforgettable, true beauty.

If you want to know more, click here for the full post.