My first impressions of Iceland, (situated just south of the Artic Circle), which was limited to the south of the island, was the great lack of ice. Although very cold, -0 degrees and less, there was little or no snow, that what could be seen, was only visible on the mountain tops in the far distance. The land was covered with dead brown grass (it was just finishing winter), with the flat lava landscape covered in moss, and leafless small bushes.
I was told that neighboring Greenland is covered in ice and very un-green, and Iceland is green with vegetation, and the names were swapped to keep away visitors.
The land mostly volcanic, with some of the lava flows been laid down in the 1970’s, has had little time for fauna to establish itself, and certainly not enough time for nutrients to be established to support trees. The Icelanders are planting what they call forests, or small areas of trees.
Perhaps it was Easter, and the Icelanders had gone away for a long weekend to their “summer houses”, but the main shopping street in the capital Reykjavík was empty of shoppers. The street itself did not have the usual high street shops as other major towns or cities. There is no McDonnell’s, no Next dress shop, only one shop name I did recognise being Subway the sandwich shop.
I am told that the international shopping names do exist, but in the preferred shopping malls.
Driving was so leisurely. At no time did I see a traffic jam of more than three cars, there was no rush hour. A big difference to Istanbul, Milan or London.
Prices
Although the airport was only some 40 minutes drive, the first indication of how expensive Iceland is came with the cost of transfer from the airport to the hotel, nearly £26. As much as a taxi fare in the UK.
A simple meal in a standard Italian restaurant, the Rossopomodoro which seemed very popular with tourists, a pan fried chicken breast with potatoes and stir fried vegetables with a hot chocolate, (well it was cold) came to £30.
Entrance into and taking tours was very costly, an evening coach trip to see the Northern Lights over £20.
Very expensive place, Iceland.
Clean
Everywhere is very clean, the houses look as if they have just been painted, and all appear to be in a very high state of repair. Perhaps this is due to the contrast between the hard, jagged dark lava and the very angular buildings sitting square on the land.
With a population of only 380,000 people, Iceland is a rich country, relaxing, slow and very clean. A big difference to the hustle and bustle of London, Paris and Istanbul having a population of 13 million.