Iceland - warm northern country!

Iceland – the country for those who likes to spend the rest exclusively alone with the nature. There you will not find any significant monuments as in continental Europe. On this biggest volcanic island in size with 103 thousand sq. km, lives only 320 000 population! 20 thousand from them – Poles who have in large quantities left on this island after the introduction of Poland into EU. And with an ulterior motive: following the results of 2007 Iceland is recognised by the United Nations the best country for a life in the world. 

But then yet there was no crisis after which the stream of immigrants has considerably decreased. The local crone has fallen to 60 %, having put the country almost on a bankruptcy side. 

It was necessary to count Iceland only on itself as the country is not a member of EU - has disagreed with EU decision on distribution of quotas for fishing – 35 % of incomes of the country. 

However times vary, and the country has already submitted the official demand for the introduction into EU. Today it already consists in "shengen - union", therefore the separate Icelandic visa should not be received.

Iceland very hospitable. Tourism - one of the basic sources of the income of the country. A standard dinner of an order 10-15 euros (also it is the prices already after crisis!). Average cost of daily excursion about 50-70 euros. In the summer hotels-hostely should be reserved in advance since not always there are places.

Some the interesting facts:

- In transfer the word "Iceland" is meant "the ice country";

- Reykjavic – the most northern capital of the world;

- From November till February in the country the night-time prevails;

- Is absent the Ry;

- In capital and vicinities lives 70 % of the population of the country;

- The Icelandic language so has not changed eventually that nowadays the population can freely read sagas of XIII century. Language is very strongly protected from anglicisms, giving to foreign words the Icelandic basis;

- In connection with absence of candidates the local president corrected 4 terms successively! (Till January 2009);

- There is no standing army;

- There are no surnames (there is a name and a patronymic which is coming to an end on "– a son" for men and on "-douhtir" for women);

- Before receiving of independance in 1944 Iceland belonged to Denmark, and to Denmark - Norway;

- The most known Icelandic performer (abroad, but not in the Iceland) - Bjork; 

- In Iceland there is the biggest glacier and the most powerful falls of Europe;

- Despite northern arrangement, mid-annual temperature of the country of 4 degrees thanks to warm Gulf Stream (in the winter–1 degree, in July of +10 degrees);

- On territory of the country of an order of 30 active volcanoes; 

- In any way it is necessary to mention complexity of the Icelandic language – words long and compound, its very difficult for studding.

Reykjavic from different directions is surrounded by fjords - sea gulfs deeply running into a land with rocky coast. 

Iceland is mostly 1-2 stage country...

Every morning buses carry tourists at excursion on the country.

The central church of Reykjavic on restoration.

Behind the church a monument of Lejfru Ejrikson. Lejfr Ejrikson - the first European who has visited the North America approximately in 1000 (long before Columbus!). 

Good advice directly on city walls.

Cause of steady rains Icelanders at cleaning of fields protect hay a film.

In the summer – at the height of a tourist season - on the country many off-road cars rented by tourists travel about. And all country is switched to English language that does almost impossible to disassemble, where local population, and where tourists.

Since in vicinities of Reykjavic lives about 70 % of the population of the country, other population is presented by small cities or here such farms.

To reach such dwellings hard in snow winters, therefore children leave for study for couple of months.

The Icelandic summer. Pay attention to a temperature indicator.

Akureyrarkirkja – the city of Iceland second for number, with the population in 15 thousand persons.

Ancient dwelling of Icelanders.

In the absence of woods (only 1 % of territory of Iceland) dwellings are under construction mainly in the earth. Local Icelandic joke: if you have lost the way in wood – rise.

In the country it is a lot of falls. It is 12-metre falls of Godafoss on the river Skjaulvandaflout. These falls are used by extreme amatours for descent to kayaks.

Falls of Detifoss on the river Yokjulsau ау Fyotljum – the most powerful falls of Europe, 193 cubic km/s, 45 metres of the height, running into gorge Yokjulsaurgljuvjur.

One of 300 Icelandic geothermal zones.

One of 7 thermal stations of Iceland, supplying with warm water of an order of 90 % of houses of the country. Hot water undertakes directly from bowels of volcanoes, where its temperature on depth of 1000 metres составляетя from 150 to 375 degrees of Celsius.

Warm soil near to thermal sources – the free furnace. Local residents leave here for the night in the earth the dough, and got fresh bread in the morning.

Northern city of Akjurejry in which fjord one week prior to my visit the family from 5 whales swam away on couple of days. Here this everyday occurrence.

Double falls of Gjutlfoss (13 + 20).

The Icelandic source with the name "Geyser" became a common noun for all geysers of a planet. Now it any more so is active and is thrown up only three times a day. But its "colleague" each five minutes:

Reservation of Tingvetlir. A building at bottom – summer резеденция the prime minister. The mountains surrounding a reservation, – Aurmannsfetl, Skjaldbrejdjur, Tindaskagi, Hrapnabyorg. As it is heavy to utter it!

Falls of Seljalandsfoss at bottom of mountains Ejjafyotl at a glacier of Ejjafjatlayokjutl (repeat quickly!):)

Adventures of the off-road car, moving across the river.

Glaciers occupy an order of 10 % of territory of the country.

When I gathered for excursion in the sea to look whales, the Russian vessel has come into port.

Between Reykjavic and the airport it is located well-known Blue lagoon – the nonfreezing lake of geothermal sources rich with minerals.

Ice and hot - very nice paradox!

Dazzling Maldives

In our route the Maldivian republic was round end across Asia, but it seemed to me that the photoreport on this country in cold February days will be most interesting to compatriots.

It is a little about the country. The Maldivian republic is located in the central part of Indian ocean on Maldive Islands which are to the south from the Indian coast and to the southwest from island Sri Lanka. The archipelago consists of 1200 islands from which are occupied only 200, more than thousand are uninhabited. Islands - a coral origin, round them are not present a continental shelf. For this reason the country height is above sea level insignificant – the highest point of Maldiv only 2,5 metres. Here there is no lake or the river. Pure water receive from the sea water or gathering the rain. Because of global warming and lifting of level of ocean by 2050th year, under some forecasts, the most part of Maldive Islands will appear under water. Already now the country government carries on negotiations with representatives of Sri Lanka and Indonesia for resettlement of all citizens of the country in these states. The blessing, the population small – all 300 thousand persons.

Well, the facts will suffice, let's look, as here all looks actually.

We lie alongside, we wait a boat to an island. The cart for luggage can be rolled safely to the mooring. After the arrival of a boat young sailors will load your things into a luggage compartment, and after the arrival on island will carry on to the reception.

Near island Hulule on which the airport is located, in 1981 the ship has sunk. Now it is very popular in divers.

And this is our boat

After apr 40 min we're at our paradise

It is our room. To tell the truth, for such money it would be possible to be better.

On a little table near the entrance has cheap type of a wine for which ask 27.5$. Thanks, drink it by yourself...

This is the price for a minibar. The price for a box of juice from a concentrate 200ml - 3.75$ most of all touches.

Lets walk across the island...

Black shark, grows to 2 metres at length.

The slope on stones is heated. Has lowered a hand that it to stroke, only with a finger has concerned - it as a wind has blown off.

On island the buffet with self-service practises - eat that you want, in any quantities. And here for any drinks - juice, water, to a stake, alcohol - be so kind as pay under the threefold tariff (potable water litre - 3$, 300 grammes of non-fresh orange juice – 4$).

Having dived once to a reef, more therefrom did not get out - from a decline till a dawn dived and shoot of small fishes on a disposable film soap tray which lay in our number. For quality of a photo corresponding, very much I regret that has stinted a water-proof case for my digital camera.

In one of days while the wife remained to be heated on a beach, has decided to go to capital of Maldivian republic - a city of Male.

The president drives of Mazda 3, and at it only one bodyguard. But the guide has told that the president with the spouse usually go on foot and in general without the bodyguard.

In general, Male - the smallest capital in the world. Its sizes make 2,5 x 1,5 km. C the north on the south I have on foot crossed island for 25 minutes. The population thus 100 thousand persons, i.e. third of population of Maldiv. Roads, by the way, are only here.

All right, I still can understand motor scooters... But what for on the closed island such cars, my limited brain could not comprehend.

Historical part of Male poor enough. It is a crypt of last governor Maldive.

And it is a crypt of sultan of Ibrahim (1648-1687) at which the Friday mosque has been constructed.

100 % of the population of Maldiv - Moslems. Not 99 % and not 99,99 % namely 100 %. To obtain Maldivian citizenship, it is necessary to accept Islam. But to accept Islam and to adhere to its canons - different things. There are very religious families, as this, for example.

And this girl though also the Moslem, especially does not muffle up in a yashmak.

In general Maldivian girls marvellously the beautiful. The population of Maldiv consists of natives from India and Ceylon.

This oldest tree in Male, it grows in sultan park, opposite to the National museum - to it more than hundred years.

And it is the largest mosque in the country - the Islamic centre, it is opened in 1984.

And it is the fish market. The boats filled by a tuna here swim up.

It is the vegetable and fruit market. Under below cost prices it is possible to buy everything that grows on Maldives.

After visiting of the fish and vegetable markets has come into a souvenir bench. This souvenir has amazed both in the sizes and the price - costs more expensively then real motorcycle.

Just wolk arround...

And it is the area of Dzhumuri - a place of meetings and parties of local youth, and also a place where any tourist who has lagged behind group should come immediately.

and home...sweet home