9th Day In Iceland

Hello peoplezzzz, I'm back!  9th day in Iceland and we've had a great time. Four days ago we went on a whale watching tour and saw about a dozen dolphins and a Minke Whale - Mr Minke.  This afternoon we went to the cliffs on the far west coast of Iceland and I came about 6 inches away from a puffin ( puffy).  The puffins are SO COLOURFUL!!!!!!!

On the second day we say a geysir, that is a thingy that shoots burning hot water out of the ground. The water went about 40 meters high.

Bad news for the monkey club, no trees around here. The ones that there are, are too flimsy to climb.  Bye,

Mattias.

Whales and Birds - Iceland

A few days ago, we went whale watching.  We saw about half a dozen dolphins, we saw a gazillion jellyfish, but most of all we saw a Minke Whale. We got really close up!!!!

Yesterday I went seal watching - it was cool. I counted over 45 seals!!!

Today we went bird watching. We got some really close up pics of puffins and seagulls and this type of bird that I have no idea what it is. I called it a thingymabobber.  The puffins were very cute and fat.  We say a little baby seagull and its mama.  It was a fun day!!!!

Iceland-half way

Iceland is a land of wonders. From stunning waterfalls, even though we all don't want to see another one for a while, whales and dolphins, moonscapes, gorges, hot springs that you cannot plunge into- they are not hottubs- lava fields, massive cliffs with holes and arches, cliffs, puffins and on goes the list! The kids are fairing well and fit well into the life of being on the road. The occasional horse slober on Mima or races to the top of a volcano crater for Mattias has kept things in check. Already it is nice to be able to spend time away from regular life with the family. Once we are in a place with faster wifi, then we'll upload photos for all to see! Bye from the natural pools at Myvatn lake!

The Bay and in Salmon Arm.

Yesterday we were in Salmon Arm. We were going to go to the bay in Shuswap Lake. But the lake was way too wavy and it would take too long. This pic is so cooooooool!

Leaving

In 13 days we will be in Iceland. When we are in Iceland I will be looking forward to seeing an erupting volcano. In about one year and 10 days we will be on the Cook Islands. That is the last place we will be!  I can't wait until we go to Africa. I am excited about Africa because I want to see all of the cool animals that you can't see in the wild anywhere else in the world.

Emilia travels!!!

I am sooooo excited about going to Iceland. I want to see the volcano in action! I can't wait until we leave! yah hoo  hurray! from Emilia.

Pre Trip Ramble

As we get closer to our departure date everyone asks " how many days?" and yet, we are so focused on work, finishing the house and planning the trip, I don't think any of us really knows - we are not counting down - just getting very excited.

I spend more and more time as the planning subsides and the list of things to get done diminishes thinking about the real part of the trip. Not the details, not the where are we going, not the what do we need to take - but the why are we going, what are my goals and my family's goals, what can we expect from this, and how will we be changed as a result of our time away together? The last of these questions is likely the most difficult to measure as we will never know what we would be like if we hadn't had some of the unknown adventures ahead for us.

Though the practical part of the trip will expose us to so many geographical, cultural and life changing experiences, it is the family time of being together, bonding, sharing and living life without the fast pace of always needing to be somewhere or doing something that excites me the most.