Whales in the harbour

Grundarfjordur, a small village on the west coast of Iceland, has two big whales ("killer whales") on a visit in the harbour. It is believed to be the same whales that "came on a visit" last year. See the pictures here:
http://www.dv.is/frettir/2011/2/20/hahyrningarnir-komnir-aftur/

Sometimes you can see whales and seals in Iceland. Usually you have to sail out on the ocean (you can buy whale watching tours) too see whales but it is possible (sometimes, not often though) to see them if you are standing on the coast. But you have to be lucky and even better, you have to know if they are to be seen and where to go.

A special offer

Mountain Climbing has a special offer: 10% and entrance to a swimming pool for free during February-April 2011. That makes ISK 12.600 per person. Included: Pick-up at your hotel, refreshments on the top and a certificate plus the hot pool afterwards. This offer is valid until April 2011.
The picture is taken on Mt Esja during July 2011. Mt Esja is all snowy now during the winter!

Christmas Village on video

Here is a video presenting the Christmas Village in Iceland and the activities around it. It was taken the opening weekend in the end of November. The Christmas Village is only open four weekends until Christmas.

Christmas Village nr 1 on CNN

The Christmas Village in Hafnarfjordur is nr 1 on CNN's list of destinations. See more here:
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/top-10-places-spend-your-christmas-810201#ixzz16l41QVSx


Mountain Climbing offers tours to the Christmas Village during the next three weekends and on the evening of December 23rd. Mountain Climbing also offers Christmas hikings. Included in those tours is guidance, information and stories about the Icelandic Christmas traditions.

Flood and eruption to come

A flood has started from Grimsvotn in Europe's biggest glacier, Vatnajokull in Iceland. The flood isn't too big and there is no danger. The scientists say on the news that there will almost certainly be an eruption in the area in a few days.
There have been some bigger earthquakes in Iceland recently, over 3,0 on richter, so I am not surprised that something is happening. This is our everyday life! :)

Women celebrate their anniversary

Icelandic Women had a big festival today to celebrate 35 years since they organized their first day off walking out of work at 2.25pm insted of 4.00pm or 5.00pm.

The calculations show that women in Iceland only get 2/3 of what the men get for the same job. Equality? Icelandic women think there is much to be done yet. They are still fighting for equality.

The women gathered in front of the church Hallgrimskirkja and walked down the street Skolavordustigur to the hill Arnarholl in the centre of Reykjavik. There women made speaches with music and singing.

The Icelandic nation is 320.000 individuals. In this gathering in Reykjavik around 50 thousand women came downtown. Women in other parts of the country gathered in their hometowns so this was BIG!

See pictures from the gathering in Reykjavik:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24033&id=100000754157133&l=35cfa3b10e

National Geographic reminded me

Interesting to see and read National Geographic Volcano-issue. While reading it I was reminded of many things during the eruption. It was a busy time for me. During the first half I was active as a tourist guide taking people to the area to see the fire from the volcano. During the second half I was working as a journalist for media abroad articles and news stuff every day so I was practically living in the zone.

I got to know this from two sides! It was an interesting time and of course a lot of fun for a person who likes busy times.