Today ArcticTropic climbed Vatnajökull Glacier – the largest in Europe. Winds gusted as high as 65 mph ( 110 kph) but we held steady thanks to icepicks and crampons supplied by our guide.

Ice Cave.

Looking up into Springtime Arctic skies.

Corn surface – good for climbing.

In 1900 , when the current warming period began . the mountain behind us was covered in the glacier, it was not even visible The very elderly of the community remember that time. . While it snows more on the mountain tops, the weight pushes the ice faster down the moraines where it melts into the ocean. When the Vikings came in 900 to 1000 AD , it was a warm period and there was almost no ice. 1600 – 1900 was a mini Ice Age with rapid ice accumulation. Yesterday’s report on growing glaciers in the area was incorrect.

At day’s end -caviar – $ 3 per jar.

Sunset in Höfn,where we are spending the night.

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An amazing waterfall coming off the Glacier this afternoon in South Iceland.Today was the first day – actually only a half day – on the Ring Road around Iceland.

A boiling caldera.

1000 Year Old Viking house.

The Geysir Erupts !

Volcanic rock formations , recently formed.

Icy River !

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Courtesy Verne Global Data Centre Iceland.

ArcticTropic arrived to a long sub-Arctic sunrise this morning in Reykjavik. By 9:30 the sun had risen enough to project some warmth and melt ice. But by 10:30 it was dark and cold again, with the sun blocked out by 98%. Special filters are needed to photograph the eclipse, but we had the opportunity to view through safe lenses provided by townspeople.

Across Reykjavik Harbour during latter part of the eclipse. The temperature had dropped and the streets became icy again.

Proper viewing attire.

A seabird unsure whether it is time to go back to sleep.

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2014 was a busy travel year for ArcticTropic. In all, we travelled an equivalent of more than twice around the world.The voyage to Myanmar in March ,via Frankfurt and Singapore was to the opposite side of the world and back the same route. In May and June we travelled in a continuous Eastbound direction until we ended up back where we started. In contrast, the 2.5 hour hop to Panama was a mere commuter flight.

ArcticTropic was in Spain – the first stop on the Round The World Trip – for three days – to visit with business associates in Barcelona and then to pick up my son who was accompanying me to China. Above – the AVE from Barcelona to Valencia.

On the Floor of Catedral Sant Jordi.

A delicious lunch at Portoles.

Above the Gran Via Marques del Turia in Valencia.

Valencia !

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