Day 7
28 Aug 2015
Church and Christianity, Black Sand Beach, Cairn stones for travellers and Glimpse of the Glacier
First stop
Found this small, quaint little village near Vik. The parliament voted for the acceptance of Christianity in the year 1000. The story goes something like this: the country was on the brink of a religous civil war between the pagan Norse settlers religion and Christianity. During the parliamentary session, a wise man was asked to decide the way forward and after a long 1 day meditation, he announced: "If we put asunder the law, we will put asunder the peace," he said. "Let it be the foundation of our law that everyone in this land shall be Christian and believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The people agreed and were subsequently baptized (Wikipedia). While it allows for religous freedom, the constitution recognises the Evangical Lutheran Chrush as the national church.
As Christianity has been around for so long, there then are many very old churches as you go round the island and many are against a stunning mauntainous backdrop. Their church design are very simple versus the Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals that you see in Europe.
Figure: Family picture
Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara beach)
Drove 11 km.
This is where the famous Iceland black beach is and its unique basalt columns.
Laufskálavarða
Drove 50km.
Thousands of cairns stand at the side of Route 1 between Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon. Everyone passing by it for the first time was supposed to add a stone to bring him good luck on his journey. The government even brought in more cairns.
Skaftafell
Drove 101km.
The highlight of the trip! Glaciers are formed over thousand of years where snow remains at the same place all year round with new layers of snow burying and compressing the previous layers. The previous layers turn into ice. With global warming, these glaciers are thinning every year.
It was an exciting moment when we saw the glacier from a distance where you can stop and admire the beauty of the glacier. We sat for sometime admiring the 'majesticness' of the glacier. Having seen them only in TV's and magazines, to be able to see it for yourself is just so surreal.
Overnight
At Vatnajokul National Park at Skaftafell. Since they are not part of the Camping Card, we paid for 3 adults EUR30 (free for child), and 4 showers EUR14 and tax EUR0.80. It has a stunning backdrop. Out only complaint is the shower has a timer which means we need to shower real quick. For the girls they ran out of hot water!
As there are many super awesome sights here, if we do come back, we will stay at least for 2 or even 3 nights to include trekking the area.
Figure: Nice time to chillout and enjoy the outdoors. Travelling with the campervan means quite some time and effort is spent maintaining and housekeeping of the house as we prefer a clean and well kept house.
Seen here Mye taking out the floor carpet for a beating.
End of Article 5. Next Click Here >>>
28 Aug 2015
Church and Christianity, Black Sand Beach, Cairn stones for travellers and Glimpse of the Glacier
First stop
Found this small, quaint little village near Vik. The parliament voted for the acceptance of Christianity in the year 1000. The story goes something like this: the country was on the brink of a religous civil war between the pagan Norse settlers religion and Christianity. During the parliamentary session, a wise man was asked to decide the way forward and after a long 1 day meditation, he announced: "If we put asunder the law, we will put asunder the peace," he said. "Let it be the foundation of our law that everyone in this land shall be Christian and believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." The people agreed and were subsequently baptized (Wikipedia). While it allows for religous freedom, the constitution recognises the Evangical Lutheran Chrush as the national church.
As Christianity has been around for so long, there then are many very old churches as you go round the island and many are against a stunning mauntainous backdrop. Their church design are very simple versus the Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals that you see in Europe.
 |
| Figure: A church near Vik |
Figure: Family picture
Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara beach)
Drove 11 km.
This is where the famous Iceland black beach is and its unique basalt columns.
 |
| Figure: There are many interesting geological features at the Black Sand Beach. |
Figure: Basalt column which are formed due to the rapid cooling of lava (photo by Tia).
Figure: Columns on the sea (photo by Tia)
Figure: Tia having some fun of the moonlike landscape (photo by Tia)
Figure: Puffin bird are really cute - Iceland national bird
Laufskálavarða
Drove 50km.
Thousands of cairns stand at the side of Route 1 between Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon. Everyone passing by it for the first time was supposed to add a stone to bring him good luck on his journey. The government even brought in more cairns.
Figure: There are thousands of these stone mounds that covers this area.
Skaftafell
Drove 101km.
The highlight of the trip! Glaciers are formed over thousand of years where snow remains at the same place all year round with new layers of snow burying and compressing the previous layers. The previous layers turn into ice. With global warming, these glaciers are thinning every year.
It was an exciting moment when we saw the glacier from a distance where you can stop and admire the beauty of the glacier. We sat for sometime admiring the 'majesticness' of the glacier. Having seen them only in TV's and magazines, to be able to see it for yourself is just so surreal.
Figure: Family pic with the glacier in the background.
Overnight
At Vatnajokul National Park at Skaftafell. Since they are not part of the Camping Card, we paid for 3 adults EUR30 (free for child), and 4 showers EUR14 and tax EUR0.80. It has a stunning backdrop. Out only complaint is the shower has a timer which means we need to shower real quick. For the girls they ran out of hot water!
As there are many super awesome sights here, if we do come back, we will stay at least for 2 or even 3 nights to include trekking the area.
Figure: Nice time to chillout and enjoy the outdoors. Travelling with the campervan means quite some time and effort is spent maintaining and housekeeping of the house as we prefer a clean and well kept house.
Seen here Mye taking out the floor carpet for a beating.
End of Article 5. Next Click Here >>>
Links to:
Article
1 - Reykjavik
Article
2 - Bridge Between 2 continents,
Seltun Geothermal steam, Blue Lagoon, first overnight stay in Campervan, Aurora
Article
3 - Pingvellir Parliament, Geyser Southwest
Article
4 - South Gulfoss, Gluggafoss, Eyjafjallajokull volcano
Article
5 - (this article) - Black Sand Beach, View of the Glacier
Article
6 - Glacier Walk, Zodiac Boat Ride in the Lake, Ice Beach
Article 7 - Hofn and Fjardabyggd
Article 8 - Hverir, Myvatn Nature Bath and Lake Myvatn
Article 9 - Whale watching, Exploration Museum, Godafoss Waterfall, Akureyri Sundlaug
Article 7 - Hofn and Fjardabyggd
Article 8 - Hverir, Myvatn Nature Bath and Lake Myvatn
Article 9 - Whale watching, Exploration Museum, Godafoss Waterfall, Akureyri Sundlaug
Article
10 - Akureyri Christmas Shop, 14th Century Port,
Old Church, Dalvik, Beautiful valley Oxnadalur, Overnight Varmahlid, Glaumbaer
turf house, Hill with crater, Reykjavik city, Last Sundlaug
No comments:
Post a Comment