Iceland By The Sea
A large island country, obviously there is going to be a large amount of coastline to be seen. Given how much of the country has limited inland natural resources many of the towns lie within a close vicinity of the coastal waters. This post is a tribute to Iceland's coastal culture.
JHP_160927_Iceland_2480Fishing boats moored at the Grindavik Harbor in the morning light.
This is one of my favorite images of two boats moored safely in the Grindavik Harbor. This is a coastal town not far from the capital city of Reykjavík on the southern side of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The town spared no expense in building a safe harbor for their fishing vessels. A wonderful and very Icelandic café, the Bryggjan Kaffihus, located along the wharf in an old warehouse is a place I highly recommend a stop to where coffee, food and local workers can be found.
In a very small community of Hjalteyri, there is a wonderful treasure. The town has been inhabited over 100 years and while a large fishing factory was in operation the area prospered. Today an incredibly knowledgeable dive shop (Strytan Dive Center) is located at its shores within the factory and they can take you off this great dock and strait into the harbor which is rich in sea life. On this morning a clouds were beginning to disperse as the sun poked through and made the rich stain on the dock warm and inviting. Whales could often be seen surfacing further out in the bay.
Trolls of Black SandsBlack Sand Beach in Vik, Iceland
This is a world famous Black Sand Beach that is the front porch to the little southern Iceland town of Vik. It is one of the few towns that has no harbor as the Atlantic surf is so violet none has ever been made. A variety of seabirds make their home in the surrounding cliffs. A small distance from land are the Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks. The legend says that two trolls tried to drag a ship to land but were unsuccessful. As daylight came they were turned to stone.
A simple church sits on the hill overlooking a huge fjord and the Brokey Islands in the north east of Iceland. As we drove around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula there were many of these little spots of worship, most in a quiet and peaceful setting like this.
Light and FishFish drying racks and lighthouse in small fishing village, Iceland.
A primary source of food was and still is fish from the plentiful ocean waters. In Iceland they use racks such as these to hang the catch for drying and processing. This particular rack was set up next to a simple lighthouse, built to withstand the high winds and constant weather changes of the area.
Blue FerryA ferry boat on the ocean
Lighthouses as above are vital to the safe passage and navigation of the sea faring boats of Iceland. Each year many are lost to a watery grave as storms and violet seas test the grit of even the best Capitan. Of course these tragedies have become fewer with the advent of better technology the deep blue is still a place to be reckoned with.
Between the GreyA house and headland surrounded by grey sky and grey ocean waters.
I leave you with this image of a small but very traditional Icelandic home peaking over the terrain of this rugged headland on the eastern side of Iceland. The day was very wet and the fog had settled in over the ocean creating a grey curtain mist which made it hard to differentiate the sky from the sea.
To view a larger theme oriented gallery, simply click on one of the above images to be redirected. If you have questions or comments please feel free to contact me or share!
