The Cows Talk in Iceland

May 10, 2013 Iceland. We visit Hraunfossar Waterfall, Reykholt historic site and Deildartunguhver thermal area

The Settlement Center

The Settlement Center is located in the village of Borgarnes just one hour drive from Reykjavik. In two exhibitons The Settlement Center tells the Saga of The Settlement of Iceland and Iceland´s most famous viking and first poet Egill Skallagrimsson.

I visited the Saga of Iceland's first poet and Moe visited the Settlement of Iceland.  No photos allowed :(

In the Restaurant at the Settlement Center

In Iceland Christmas Eve is magical--cows can talk! Here are the bad boys of the cow world!

Loosely the words on the sign say:

It's Christmas Eve 

We can talk

Let's drive mankind crazy 

and talk until Christmas Day

 

Hraunfossar Waterfalls

Countless springs of clear water emerge from under the edge of the lava field and flow into the river Hvita. The water seeps through the new lava field and then flows along the bedrock before cascading into the river.

 Lava or cow pies?

It's lava!

Smile!

 Tourist-built cairn

Reykholt Historic Site

Archaeologists find ruins below church; we view through window in floor

Snorri Sturluson

Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing, initially in 1215. He was the author of Younger Edda, a narrative of Norse mythology, and the author of a book on the history of the Norwegian kings. Wikipedia

 Snorri is thought to have used this hot pot, connected by a tunnel to a nearby house for enjoyment and for political meetings.

Warm, not hot...

First geothermal feature for many OAT travelers! Wow!

Deildartunguhver Thermal Area

 In 2007, geothermal energy provided about 66 percent of primary energy, hydropower was 15 percent, and fossil fuels 19 percent. The main use of geothermal energy is for space heating with the heat being distributed to buildings through extensive district-heating systems.   

About 85% of all houses in Iceland are heated with geothermal energy.Renewable energy provides 100 percent of electricity production, with about 70 percent coming from hydropower and 30 percent from geothermal power.

Thermal area