FLYING THE ATLANTIC PART 2

By DELL ARTHUR

Following our overnight stay at Baffin Island it was wheels up for our non-stop flight to Iceland. We were blessed with clear weather and climbing to altitude the flight took on a routine atmosphere punctuated by incredible sights of icebergs and patches of deep blue sea. There wasn’t cloud in the sky and visibility stretched beyond the horizon. Approaching Greenland we tried to give a position report to Arctic Radio (compulsory) but wasn’t able to raise them. Broadcasting in the blind to “any aircraft,” we were able to make contact with a Lufthansa 747 who cheerfully forwarded our information.

            Looking down on Greenland it is easy to imagine that the population for the largest island in the world is under 57,000. Much of it is covered by year around ice and battered by winter storms. We were happy not to have to make a forced landing! Along the route we saw few villages and it was nice to finally see the island disappear in our rear view.

Passing Through Icelandic Customs

            Cruising across the placid ocean the time past swiftly. Finally our objective appeared in the far distance. Contacting center we were given permission to lower altitude and then turned over to the Reykjavik control tower who then cleared us for a straight in landing. The airport was nothing we could have imagined. It was huge with airliners from every nation including Canada, England, Germany, United States and many others including commercial and private aircraft parked all around the field. It is no wonder that Iceland is called “the gateway to Europe.” After parking the airplane we were directed to the immigration office for clearance. The Customs officer couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful—unlike some countries including the United States.

            Arrangements at a hotel had been made prior to our arrival so catching a taxi we headed for the city. I was amazed at the excellent four lane roads, buildings and activity. Everyone spoke excellent  English even though the native population’s language is Icelandic—a language that requires an astute knowledge of words that I’m not sure have really been invented yet! But no harm done. Even an obtuse foreigner as me couldn’t have been treated better.

            After checking in at the hotel we decided to meander downtown. On the main street businesses were booming and the restaurants were wonderful. Everyday seemed a gala event with the local population and I can honestly say I never ran into a rude person. It seems rudeness is practiced by visitors rather than Icelanders.

            The shops were busy and their products were mostly imported. However one of the chief industries of the country is sheep both for their wool and hardiness but also for breeding and food. The clothing was ideal for the claimant and the sweaters and coats were a work of art.

By evening time I was ready for bed and headed back to the hotel exhausted. Going to my second floor room which faced the outside I slid into a nice soft mattress, pulled up a warm blanket and started to fall asleep—at least I intended to.

It was about two o’clock in the morning and there was still brightness streaming through the window. No, it wasn’t a street lamp or any other artificial product. It was the sun! At the latitude we were at it was much like Alaska when during the summer months the sun never seems to set. In addition to this, pedestrians walking along the sidewalk carried on conversations as if it were in the middle of the afternoon. Getting to sleep proved nearly impossible. But after a long flight, some sightseeing and a marvelous dinner I finally drifted off.

Reykjavik is a world of its own. It is both sophisticated and ordinary. Anyone visiting can picture themselves in their own hometown. The stores carry every kind of goods and English is practiced by everyone. Yet there is the sense of big town adventure that a visiting traveler finds exciting. But, reluctantly, it was time for us to prepare to depart to more distant sights that only Iceland can provide.

The following morning we flew about a 100 miles north and then picked up a car rental. Driving on the two lane “super highway” north we finally came on a small village with a single hotel. During the entire drive I don’t think we saw more than eight cars. This was on June 3. Checking in we had the opportunity to freshen up, have dinner and then back to our room to turn in. We had a lot of sightseeing planned for the next day.

A Bucolic Paradise Amid the Lava Landscape

            Waking up at about 8 a.m. local time I found it difficult to get out of my warm, soft, comfortable bed. But with much to do I climbed out, went to the window, peeked out only to see snow falling! Here it was June 4, and all I saw was ground covered by snow. I couldn’t believe it! But by the time I showered, dressed and had breakfast the sun was out and all the white stuff was quickly melting.

            The area we were at was near a huge lake and the village harbored nothing more than a small restaurant and a few homes. If anyone was looking for a supermarket or a 7-11 convenience store they had to fly west a few thousand miles. The terrain was all lava and any form of agriculture was impossible. However I found the main industry here was sheep. Next to the hotel was a small farm with a large number of the wooly creatures munching on what grass was available. It was a beautiful sight and I couldn’t help but envy these hardy folks who make this island their home.

(to be continued)