I C E L A N D

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Strokkur geyser eruption

pics taken on December 2008 by Eni Turkeshi
video created using windows movie maker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strokkur

p.s: for more infos check here

Strokkur Miracle

© Eni Turkeshi Photography

Most of you might have heard of the famous Icelandic geysirs.They are located on the country's south west part.It's there that you can experience the magic of fabulous steam rising from the hot springs, vent and streams found all over this area.

Actually , all of the hot springs world wide are called due to the great Geysir located here.It's been told that Geysir has been erupting since the early 14th century up to the early days of 20th century.It hasn't been active since then.

According to some ,Geysir stopped because lots of rocks has been threw to it to set it off.Some say , it just stopped .
But when it used to erupt ; it's been told it used to go 150-200 feet high.

It was a bit frightening to visit a geysir that you might never know if it's going to be active or not anymore.But it was worth of it:)

Sure Geysir has a little twin:) called Strokkur.
Strokkur of course is not as big as Geysir used to be and when it erupts the steaming water goes 60-100 feet high.It happened once in 5-10 minutes.

The area of geysir was surrounded and you couldn't get closer than that .
Actually , it wouldn't be wise:)

I sure was thankful to my best friend (my camera;) that helped me get every single second , when it started to erupt.
I just wish i had a tripod by myside.Because you always need extra light in Iceland during winter time;) , plus i was so excited to watch it myself, so couldn't concentrate much , so you guys are going to accept this trembling photos ;)

But you can see from the photos , the amazing moment it gets ready to erupt and all it's phases.The first moment can be seen on the picture on top.
The other photos show the continuous moments.

It was really an amazing experience.
I never thought it could be real , until i saw it myself:) I was 30 metres close to it:)

Also what i loved else , was the perfect nature harmony and the combination of the places full of snow & hot springs with boiling water.It's truly incredible to see these both together.
I think it's a better idea to visit geysirs during winter time;)

for more infos on Icelandic geysirs :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geysir

Reykjavík memories....

© Eni Turkeshi Photography

Reykjavík , the capital of the far far away Iceland is a very pretty city .
I have to defeat your weather opinion first though:)
It's not that cold, or at least it's not the coldest city in Europe:)
As far as I've been told by my icelander friends; the temperature during the coldest day in Reykjavík, is max. -12 degrees, which sounds pretty normal and "warm" due to the freezing other cities of the world.Aside from the windy days of course;)
It can be really cold and very dangerous to go out these kind of days, especially if you've got a slim body type;)

© Eni Turkeshi Photography

The people were very nice and friendly.I liked them because of their easygoing attitude and peaceful moods.And what i loved at them was the lack of complexes on every aspect.

You can't say it's a very big city, but it's a very attractive city for sure.What i loved most here , were the numerous bookstores.You might have heard, that Iceland is one of the places with the highest rate of readers in the world!
I feel like hearing someone saying : C'mon they're just 320.000 people living there , of course the ratio will be high compared to the world.

But i don't sympathize with this , you can see how much attracted are the icelanders to reading.
And i should say they are very well decorated, cozy to sit there for a while and with lots of splendid books that you can have a long look before you get them.
So book worms, here's one reason for you to go to Iceland;)

And yeah the cafes were great as well.In most of them , you could also find great books to read.It was really nice to sip a coffee (which you could refresh all the time) while reading a book or just when you would (as the albanians say:) graze your eyes out of the window.

The reastaurants of different cuisines make you feel home even in this far away kingdom;)


© Eni Turkeshi Photography

What i loved else, were the many tourist shops that you could find in different corners of the city.All of the people working there were truly helpful and nice.The stores were full with interesting booklets , from where you could easily follow all the events (artistic,touristic ,cultural ect) happening in Reykjavík or other cities.Different , traditional icelandic products were sold as well.
And guess what?
They were duty free , like it was in many other shops in the city;)
Cool ain't it?
Before going to Iceland i had heard it's a very very expensive city , but i think it's a bit exaggerated.It's the same with many european cities , of course it has it's special and bargain corners as well.
On the main shopping street you could find some very interesting and particular icelandic or scandinavian fashion shops , with some exquisite products.

I also went to a music shop that once used to be managed by Björk as well , but now is managed by her friends.It was named "smekklaus " a.k.a "Bad Taste" ..
Yeah another cool part , was that you could see the famous people any time any where and nobody would rush to them, so it's very likely that you can see any of them while you're going to the store or when you're reading a book.

© Eni Turkeshi Photography

What i liked very much of course were the many art and photography galleries that i got the chance to visit.I especially liked the way icelanders approach to photography and the way they promote it .
I should add i had the chance to know some very special icelandic photographers with gorgeous portfolios which i was very much impressed to see.

The nights are very attractive and interesting as well.
Ok , it's not that it's too messy especially during week , after 10.00 pm you can hardly see anyone out , but during weekends it's really very cheerful and populous.
And the atmopshere is truly charming , especially if you're lucky enough to catch the "northern lights" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_Borealis).
Reykjavík becomes a riot of colors during nights.That's why it's really special.

Whenever you visit Iceland , let it be summer or winter , night or day, you can be sure you'll be amazed.

P.S: Bthw, nothing to worry on the last happenings in Iceland.Because icelanders are peaceful people , so their demonstrations are;) So it won't be risky for you to visit it , even now:)

For more of my Iceland photos click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eni/sets/72157611030404701/

Warm balcanic tunes in a cold Reykjavik night;)

it was so very cool to listen to Balcanic music in a far far away Reykjavik cafe-bar.the guys were just cool and i enjoyed it a lot.enjoy;)

Fleeting under Atlantic Ocean

 

© Eni Turkeshi Photography

One of the most unique expriences i had during my stay in Iceland,was passing through an underground tunnel under the Atlantic Ocean. When i first heard i'd pass under Atlantic , i had this strange, odd feeling of something close to fear and excitement:) But straight after experiencing it, i can say that i loved it. The tunnel might be just a normal one, but it's very different the feeling you have while passing through it, maybe because you think of the ocean all the time:) It was a short tunnel , circa 6 km but enough for me to excite and amaze;) Hope you like this photo I got from this tunnel;)

For more infos check out below:

The tunnel's name is :Hvalfjördur Tunnel
Hvalfjördur Tunnel Hvalfjördur Tunnel, located on the southwest coast of Iceland, was completed and opened in 1998. It reduced the travel distance between Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland, and other localities in the west, north and, to some extent, the east coast of Iceland by 42 kilometres, with the exception of Akranes, the tunnel's closest locality, where the travel distance to Reykjavik declined by 60 kilometres. Another largescale investment project near Akranes at the same time was the construction of a new aluminium factory. (info taken from this site : http://www.nordicroads.com/website/index.asp?pageID=192)

Lost in Blue Lagoon

Yeah guys as you might have noticed my lack in internet these last days I decided to make a short update of where I have beeen lately.I am passing some days in Iceland.I have been visiting many places up to now but I have not been able to post anything before.The picture you are seeing now is taken in the famous "Blue Lagoon" a very special geo thermal area of Iceland.
photo © Eni Turkeshi Photography

It was surrounded by more than 900 years old lava and snow and it was quite un-surreal to see the steam coming out from a fabulous blue water from such cold surroundings.
I will be back as soon as possible with more photos from there and other places I will be visiting ..Up to then..patience pls:)
for more infos on "blue lagoon " : http://www.bluelagoon.com/