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Iceland and the Baltic 2019Iceland and the Baltic 2019
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Iceland extension and exploring the the Baltic starting in Bergen Norway ending in Stockholm Sweden on Viking Sun Read more
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  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 1

    St Clair Beach Ontario

    May 21, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌫 13 °C

    This is a test of the Find Penguins network.... a test adding our friends to the blog

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 1

    Windsor to Reykjavik

    May 21, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌫 12 °C

    Ready set go!
    Following a lovely happy hour hosted by Lesley and friends we were all set to go. Our dog Cody had toys packed ready to go until sensing with ears back that Dad was taking him to Nathalie our groomer to stay for three weeks. A wonderful place to keep our boy where her family loves him as their own. Then the drive to Toronto...horrible truck traffic and a large transport losing a tire hit a car in front then us. We had no damage luckily but other guy significant damage.
    Found the Priority lounge a very civilized place to wait till plane time. Paul was happy to start vacation trying all the complimentary food. Always surprises me how much he can eat on vacation.
    Met Lucie and Jean both anxious to get this party started..their flight was 45 min late coming from Ottawa so a bit of a rush to get to our gate.    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 2

    Reykjavik Day 2 pm

    May 22, 2019 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    After brunch we went on a long walk exploring rather than rest from our no sleep night. We visited the beautiful National Church of Iceland designed by architect Samuelson. We saw the statue of Lief Eriksen the Icelandic discoverer who found North America before Christopher Columbus. We walked through lots of old streets and found a restaurant with authentic Icelandic food and then a decadent bakery. We got back to the hotel ready to drop. Our rooms were ready so we both had a nap.
    We woke up refreshed and took the hotel shuttle to the harbourfront for supper. We enjoyed a lovely happy hour watching the ships. Lucie and Jean opened the card and gift of a scarf I had made for them and celebrated the start of another travel adventure. The oldest fish and chip restaurant in Reykjavik was recommended to us for a delicious casual meal and Paul found Reykjavik's most famous ice cream shop across the road to finish off our first full day.
    A taxi had our name on it and we took a ride back to hotel about 10pm still full daylight.    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 2

    Reykjavik Day 2

    May 22, 2019 in Iceland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Smooth flight 5.5 hrs Toronto to Rekyjavik..via Icelandic Air. We were met by our Viking Rep and transported to our hotel the Grand Hotel Rekyjavik..lovely.
    We have read about no trees and volcanic landscape but were very surprised to see the entire landscape of volcanic rock and moss. It is a beautiful day clear skies and sun already bright at 6am. We arrived at the hotel and were invited to enjoy the hotel breakfast buffet as rooms were not ready until after noon. The buffet was amazing and thoroughly enjoyed by all. We were able to catch up with Lucie et Jean our travel companions. We met on a previous cruise and found they share our love of travel and our desire to gain a broader perspective of life through travel.
    Iceland has a population of 350 000 and hosts over 2 million tourists a year. Our first impressions are it is so friendly, very clean and has unlimited potential being developed by tons of young people.    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 3

    Reykjavik Day 3 morning

    May 23, 2019 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    An excursion to the Blue Lagoon started our day following another wonderful breakfast buffet. The trip took us through the surreal lava landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the geothermal spa located in the middle of a rugged lava field. The water of the lagoon is 37 - 40C mineral rich and reputed to have healing properties. Its blue colour and high lava wall create a unique atmosphere. Our package included a mineral mud facial and a beverage at the swim up bar. It is a gorgeous day here with clear blue skies. We all agreed our skin was smooth as a baby's bum after our healing spa.Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 3

    Reykjavik Day 3 afternoon

    May 23, 2019 in Iceland ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Our afternoon bus tour included five stops around Rekyjavik with our knowledgeable local guide. It included a tour of the outdoor museum exhibiting the original thatch houses and a thatch church still in use. An archeological dig is taking place at this site. All very interesting to learn about the development of the culture and economy of Iceland.
    Most interesting is the positive effects of geo thermal heat since WW2. At the time of the war Iceland was 100,000 people a very simple culture speaking old norse. The Icelandic people were poor but very well read as a society and even yet are the highest book readers in the world. They were occupied by 50000 British troops. They brought road building...its all round abouts...they also brought engineers who helped make geo thermal heat widely available to everyone at low cost from volcanic geysers. Farming techniques and rule of law were also influenced by the occupation. Following the British the island was occupied by US troops through Norad till 2006 bringing technology and money.
    There is a 2cm crater and active volcanos on the island.
    Geo thermal heat has brought a lot of development and the brightest and best people developing new technology through the University...new greenhouse industry and social and cultural improvements such as home heat.
    Paul was delighted to see a Rio Tinto plant that makes aluminum for the plant he is doing consulting with in Windsor. Due to cheap geo thermal heat.... production cost is cheap. There are four aluminum smelters on Iceland. Paul would happily have stopped for a supplier quality audit but alas the other passengers were not as interested
    We also passed three large golf courses, a new development in Iceland.
    Finally we visted Perlan the bubble..overlooking the city..an architectural beauty built to house the city water supply. Very impressive.
    At supper at a large indoor market you could our have whatever you like from various vendors. A fun place with lots of locals and young people. We met four young Icelanders with two American tech professionals who told us about the leading edge careers happening here in the tech world. The Americans come over regularly and told us the brightest and best are here in Iceland and its an exciting time to be working in this business.    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 4

    Iceland Golden Circle Tour

    May 24, 2019 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    The circle tour highlights farms greenhouses and geology. Loads of lichen moss and berries.
    The Vikings used up the natural forests in 1500s and no reforestation took place for hundreds of years as it takes over 500 years for trees to grow in this climate. This caused greater isolation for Icelanders with no resources to trade. They were under Norway..then the Danish until 1944 when they got their own independence
    Our tour moved on to the National park a Unesco heritage site. It is a holy place...known for history and geology and separation of tectonic plates. Everything has to be built to stand 7 on the Richter scale.
    Lunch was included at the Geyser National park site..amazing lunch loads of fish dishes interesting salads and full hot buffet selections..wonderful! Andrew and Socheata would love it.
    The geysers are spectacular shooting up 100 ft every few minutes from 3000 feet down. The water is 100C crazy hot! Getting an instant photo a fun challenge. After lunch we followed the circle route to the water fall..it looks like Niagara Falls....water everywhere is crystal clear..you can see down 30 ft or more    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    Day 5

    Goodbye Iceland Hello Bergen

    May 25, 2019 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Iceland we love you.
    Every day was better than the last. Perfect weather...the air is so crisp and clear. The water is so good ...to drink and to use..it is crystal clear. The country is so environmentally responsible..no litter anywhere..no bags..lite packaging..way ahead of the rest of the world.
    The sun barely sets. It is still light at 11 at night and bright by 3am...hard to get to sleep but so beautiful. The people so friendly so eager to chat...so full of optimism. Neither Paul nor I have any sign of allergies or dry eyes...air so crisp and clear.
    Iceland is a modern society embracing innovation and technology. Unemployment under 3pc..but tax 24pc...average salary $4500 mo..many make lots more.
    We arrived in Bergen about 2.30pm.
    I have wanted to visit Norway since I was 17. As a Rotary exchange student I met many exchangees from Norway who sparked an interest in seeing this rugged country and the fiords. The weather is damp and drizzly about 50F but clearing later. The airport is modern and clean. The grounds have azaleas blooming everywhere..gorgeous!
    We arrived to our ship the Viking Sun...found our suite..got settled and enjoyed drinks and dinner with Lucie and Jean pinching ourselves that we are able to enjoy this experience.    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    2
    Day 6

    Exploring Bergen

    May 26, 2019 in Norway ⋅ 🌫 10 °C

    Our ship is the Viking Sun...beautiful 2 yr old ship. We are docked beside the Viking Sky the ship that had all the problems in March where waves washed overboard and guests were helicoptered off in the middle of the night. So there have been lots of comments about making sure we get back on the right ship.
    We lingered a bit his morning enjoying the ship, then joined our tour of Bergen before noon.
    We learned some of the history of Bergen.
    May 17 was constitution day..independence from Denmark so lots of festivals still in progress.
    Historically Norway's oldest houses are around Bergen.. old German and Norwegian merchants brought in cod to trade with rest of the world around 1100. The Hensietic league rogue businessmen from Germany overpowered the fishermen for years.
    Most buildings are made of wood then later of stone a symbol of power.
    Bergen gets 265 days of rain it is the rainiest city in Norway so we are very lucky to have a gorgeous sunny day today. The population of Bergen area is 280,000
    Big explosion of Bergen 1944 burned most buildings, the re-build after the great fire started the culture change.
    Bergen is a city of 7 mountains..Norwegians love to hike the 7 mountains..... hiking is very close to people's hearts..often a first date is to go on a hike...see if you are cut out to be Norwegian on first date.
    Crime very low in Bergen..highest standard of living in world so low social issues..low crime...low unemployment...health care for all...government paid education for all...open immigration they need people..to help develop country...very environmentally conscious.
    Old and new..civilization and nature live side by side. Known as happiest society in the world. Very trusting of others...they have a good life do not need to steal etc.
    Money came from oil..oil fund only uses 4pc of the billion dollar fund. They spend the interest of the fund in infrastructure and health care.
    There are a lot of tunnels up to 26km underground paid for by the oil fund Bergen is now well connected by tunnels and ferries where it was previously isolated..
    Immigration largely from Poland and central Europe till recently..now from all over.
    Great music hall..composer Edward Greig ..known for songs such as Morning Song. We heard a concert of Greig music on the ship last evening.. lovely.
    Numerous buildings even today made with wood even foundation. They have the most Tesla's in world..want electric cars...no sales tax..no tolls...charge cars free around country. Environmental very big.    Read more

  • TravelerIceland and the Baltic 2019
    1111
    Day 7

    Eidfjord and Stavanger Norway

    May 27, 2019 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Perfect sunny day enjoying the fiords of Norway. Pinch me...we are here! Cruising in to the Eidfjord fiord at sunrise was breathtaking. Smooth as glass, crystal clear, peaceful, surreal. We were taken by bus to a Norweigan national park and nature preserve. The bus followed the river, rocky fast flowing and full of fish ladders all the way. An interesting presentation about the natural elements and origination of this land. The mountains are right upon you..straight up. The Noweigan trekking cloths are sold everywhere and far superior to anything we see at home. Following the tour Paul and I walked 6km up some trails following the river then back through the town. A very enjoyable afternoon.
    Another perfect sunny day in Stavanger..pop 130 000. the oil capital, fourth largest and most international city in Norway. Immigration to support the oil and fishing industries has made this a very multicultural city.
    It is very cool and windy but warms up nicely for our walking tour of the city center and oil museum.
    1969 gas was found off coast Norway..in the north sea..by comparison it was mid 80s before it was found off Newfoundland. The geology ..of the oil ..is 3 layers..of sea bed..to a reservoir layer that contains oil. The highly sought after light crude is 2500 to 4000m below the surface and easiest oil to refine. Norway owns more of the sea..re oil than land. There are approx 200 installations in Norwegian sea..operating about 80 at a time. The oil museum is fascinating and one of the best most developed museums anywhere. It has been paid for from the oil trust fund that provides for the high quality of life in Norway. The fund is worth billions and spends approx 4pc annually on health care, education, infrastructure and culture.
    A walk through the old town preserved from 17 and 18th centuries is delightful. Cobblestone streets, over 250 wooden buildings, the highest concentration of historic buildings on the continent, all restored from the trust fund. The fish market and historical stops at the old cannery where herring was processed and shipped worldwide are fascinating. The town is very much filled with locals and lots of bakeries and cafe's. Norwegians rank second in the world for amount of coffee consumption. We stopped to try a delicious pastry and coffee then continued on our own exploring for a couple of hours.
    We have met many interesting guests on the ship. The enhancement lectures by three retired university profs provide excellent background info on our next stops and many other topics.
    The food is exceptional..Paul and Jean were right into the seafood buffet last evening and many other choices abound.    Read more

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