"The Kodachrome trip"

Part 2/6

F225

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Wake up in the Highlands . We slept right there on the edge of the F225 track.

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In front of us this dark mountain with golden reliefs. Sublime.

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We will spend part of the day on this track, exploring the views of the Hekla volcano .

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At the end of the track, taking the road 26 on the left we reach one of the most beautiful falls of Iceland. Powerful and engulfed in its basaltic canyon, under the protection of Mt. Burfell , Thjofafoss means “Thieves fall” . Why ? For there were thieves robbed of drowning in the past.

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To Thorsmork

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This hill is the guardian of Thórsmörk . You’ll come across it on the edge of F249 .
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Thórsmörk “Thor Forest” is one of the most beautiful places to explore in Iceland. But to reach it you will first have to walk along the track that runs along the Krossá river. This view overlooking the valley can observe. Its calm appearance is misleading because it can quickly become formidable. Absolutely avoid if you do not have a good crossing experience (and the car that goes with it).

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The Thórsmörk – Skógar hike offers magical views of “The Valley of the Gods” .

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The last climb in the snow is very trying for Emilie who has been carrying Andy on his back for more than 5 hours.

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We finally arrived on the still steaming lava field of the Eyjafjallajökull . The floor is hot, about 40 degrees to the delight of Andy who can finally get out of his cocoon and indulge in his passion: play with pebbles.

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Down to the base camp. This trek of 9 hours, very trying because we were heavily loaded, remains unforgettable. Andy (20 months) will not remember but he may keep something magnetic, smells, sensations.

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Happy but tired! The reverse works too.

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Vestmann Islands

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Steinar Magnusson , commander of Herjolfur, is a true gentleman. I had the chance and honor to live this crossing at his side. On his screen he shows me our position.
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Viewpoint of the Vestmann Islands from the top of the Elgafell volcano.

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Vestmannaeyjar is an archipelago of several volcanic islands grouped around Heimaey . Among them two are subject to fantasy because each houses one and only one house.
This is Elliðaey and Bjarnarey (taken from Heimaey ).
Elliðaey (left) was almost offered to Björk in the 1990s by the prime minister, for “his contribution to Iceland’s international influence”, but the idea was abandoned after the brisk protests from the local population. It is my opinion that the singer would not have accepted such a gift anyway!

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Heimaey LifeStyle . An image with a few icons: the American car (and not just any one, a Dodge Challenger ladies gentlemen please), the mini football field circled in wood, the church (which is about to celebrate a wedding ), some houses and in the background the volcano Helgafell .

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I love these colorful houses design a little outdated 70s way. There is a nice collection on Heimaey . Here are two examples.

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It is essential to take them face-to-face to avoid any fleeting and gracefulness of their linearity / simplicity.
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4000 inhabitants live peacefully on Heimaey . Protected from the rest of the world they know each other. This farmer received us in his garden and told his story, marked by the eruption of the Helgafell in 1973. Observing the image I notice the lollipops hanging over the geese and I wonder what are they for? Maybe to scare the predatory terns!

In the background we can see the snowy summit of the Eyjafjallajökull , the inhabitants of Heimaey were at the forefront of the eruption of 2010.

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Elephants are numerous in Iceland. I came across this one while touring Heimaey on the Viking boat Tours. A handsome male seems, certainly a little old (a few million years) but the look remains lively and conquering.

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One of the many birds that can be seen on Heimaey .

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The Herjolfur , the majestic Vestmannaeyjar ferry, is back. It’s time to go back to the mainland.

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One last look at Heimaey before continuing our adventures. I do not know yet but I will return in June 2014 as a guide (to read in an upcoming story).

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