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Weekly Paintings By National Award Winning Artist Terry d. Chacon

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Reykjavik, Iceland Trip Part 2

LAXNES HORSE FARM

We were suppose to go to a glacier but they were having some earthquake activity so we had our choice of going horseback riding or whale watching.   We chose horseback riding.  I wanted to see the countryside and boy I was not disappointed.  
This little cutey met us at the front door to the barn where we were dressed appropriately  in rain gear.   Thank goodness, I don't think my wool jacket and jeans would have done the job.   After getting dressed we were greeted by our horses.   My horse was named Madonna.   Eddie's horse was an Icelandic name of which we could not pronounce so he called him buddy.  




The group waiting for everyone to mount their horses so we could start our trail ride.  

I think this little guy was wondering why he wasn't chosen for the ride.   He was not a happy camper as we pulled out.
I had a feeling the leader thought we were all very experienced riders.   She took off in a fast trot and I don't think she slowed down except to go through the river streams.   I held on tight to the reins and my camera.  


The rivers are plentiful, everywhere you look and she just kept taking us through one after another.  Those horses, thank god, were sure footed and didn't miss a beat as we kept trotting along.   Icelandic horses have 5 gaits.  I think we did all 5 at once.  

 Eddies horse seemed very thirsty, he stopped at every stream and got a drink, if we slowed down at all he ate grass.   They all had their own little personalities, we just loved them immediately.

The scenery was breathtaking.  



Well we held on tightly and we didn't fall off.  Thank goodness.  The weather was nice, then it poured rain, then nice and so on.   So glad we had rain gear for a horseback riding experience in Iceland. 

We headed back to the hotel afterwards for a little shopping downtown and then dinner at the Opera House.  We had a special guest that evening the Ambassador from the US Embacy, Luis Arreaga. 

The Opera House recently opened this year and it is a beautiful modern building on the water by the pier.   http://www.opera.is/EN/category.asp?catID=84

We had lamb and lobster for dinner as we shared our stories from the day.   Glad we didn't go whale watching seems most everyone got sick from the wild waves in the sea and not one whale was seen.


                                       (Terry and Eddie at the Opera House in Reykjavik, Iceland)

The following day we went to Icelandic Glacial Water for a tour of the facility.   Icelandic water was our hosts for the trips.  I want to thank them for treating us like royalty and showing us as much as they could in a short amount of time.   An experience of memories we will remember forever. 

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http://www.bluelagoon.com/
After the Glacial Water tour we were treated to the Blue Lagoon-a geothermal spa.





What a treat before heading to the airport for a 10 hour flight home.  




Glacier from the air.

The Icelandic people are beautiful people inside and out.  They sure know how to treat tourist and they are so very proud of their customs and their beautiful country.   We had a fabulous time and would go back in a heart beat.  

Until next time, PLEASE ENJOY THE ART!    Terry d. Chacon

Christmas Shoppers you still have time to order your 2012 Christmas Calendars.   I will be shipping until Dec. 1.    The first one has 12 photos of recent plein air paintings the second one has 12 dog related  paintings from this past year.  The photos can then be framed for years of enjoyment.  Images are approximately 9 x 12.   Calendars are $30.00 plus shipping.  Hurry and place your order before my supply runs out.


Also my new plein air book would make a nice gift as well.  You can order directly from.    http://www.blurb.com/my/store




And for the Afghan Hound people around the world, here is a photo of some of my newest lost wax jewelry in polished bronze.   "The New affordable Gold" as everyone is calling it.  Only your artist knows for sure. 
 :-)  

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Reykjavik, Iceland Trip Part 1

We left from Ontario Airport.  Beautiful blue skies and 84 degrees projected for today!

Eddie coming back after parking the car.

We arrived in Reykjavik around 6 am their time.  We were met and bussed to the city and our hotel.

The Plaza Center Hotel.   A very nice place to stay. 


This was about 1 in the afternoon.  It was very cold, but we did get to see the sun.  

Reminds me of going to NYC in Feb. for the Garden.   The wind is what makes it so cold.

First night out, one of our hosts favorite bars.

The food was very good.  Not to crazy about the whale and puffin served raw, but the fish au gratin and dessert was fabulous.   Very good wine as well. 

After dinner we were treated to a welcome party by Icelandic Water.  

Eddie and Terry enjoying the party.

One of the ice sculptures.


Golden Circle Tour

First stop Pingvellir

Pingvellir lies within a belt of volcanic activity and the junction of the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. 






I loved the way the grass just grows over the walls of volcanic rock.

Oh it was so cold and the wind chill was aching to say the least.

A beautiful view of the volcano that erupted a while back that caused so many problems for airplane flights coming from Europe.  The steam in the distance is a hot spring.  Also, you cannot see, but a glaciar is on the horizon as well.   I could see it with the naked eye but my camera was unable to pick it up.   This is also Pingvellir Lake, the largest natural lake in Iceland.


Gullfoss


We thought it was cold in Pingvellir, well by the time we got to Gullfoss waterfall I decided to buy a wool hat.   The wind blew me off my feet while trying to take photos.   We ate here and was served lamb stew.  It was actually pretty good, the veggies were delicious as well as the bread and butter.   For dessert we had chocolate cake.   Since neither Eddie or I eat lamb it was a little bit hard to get down the meat.   So a lot was left in the bowls.  

After eating lunch we hiked down to one of the most beautiful sights in Iceland.   Gullfoss Waterfall is one of Iceland's most famous waterfall.    http://www.vulkaner.no/n/gullfoss/egullfoss.html  I would love to paint this someday, maybe summer time.   :-)

Geysir








Geysir, sometimes known as the great Geysir has been around for over 10,000 years.   80 to 100 degrees.  It was so amazing watching it erupt every 8 minutes that we must have watched it 10 times before getting tired.   Each time everyone screamed as it went off.   It was fun to watch the procession.  I did get a few photos of it, hope you can imagine the thrust when the water blows out of the hole.  


Rivers are plentiful all over Iceland. 

Icelandic Horse.  On the way back to Reykjavik we stopped by to visit some of the Icelandic Horses.   The owners of this farm were happy to share their history and their enthusiasm for this beautiful horse.  

They were also happy to share rotten shark, dried fish and butter with crackers and moonshine.   The moonshine was good, could not get myself to eat the other.   The smell alone of the rotten shark made me ill.   Because of long winters they have plenty of this on hand, just in case they cannot get out to the market. 

This cute little farm dog was such a joy, he was so happy and he did love the rotten shark....

OK, as much as everyone tried, we just were not that taken with the offerings.

We were taken with the beautiful horses.  So sweet and just wanted you to keep petting them

And this one, wanted to give me a kiss...... I loved them.

Back to Reykjavik for a fabulous dinner of fish and squid with cream and berry dessert  and a Pub Crawl on Halloween night.   Oh my!  I think we saw just about everything imaginable.......

Looking down at the dance floor.

Eddie and Stephanie were amused by this pirate.   He wanted Eddies moustache.   I think he was more taken with Eddie than Eddie was he.

Our hosts Christian and KK from Icelandic Water.

The lobby bar at our hotel.

Hope you have enjoyed the photos, tomorrow I will put up some more.  
Until next time, PLEASE ENJOY THE ART!   Terry d. Chacon