iceland

[marki961]

We are going to Iceland on the 11th june. Does anyone know if there will be plagues of midges there like there are in Scotland and other northerly places? Should we pack insect repelant?
Marki961

[satanod]

I wouldn't worry about it, Icelandic winters are too harsh for most disease carrying insects. Although the weather is getting warmer I have yet to see one. You might run into few of them east iceland where summers are warmer but if u are planing to stay in Reykjavik area no insect repelant is necessary

[marki961]

Thanks for that info Satanod.

[joggerjayne]

My Mum's been to Iceland.

[Andyvon]

Hi Mark.

I went to Iceland for two weeks in August several years ago. We toured the island with a small organised coach group visting the southwest, centre, and northeast of the island. We had absolutely no trouble with midges or any other insects at all and I'm sure you won't. It's too cold and windy for them really but do take plenty of warm clothes.

You will love Iceland and I wish I was going back. Its so peaceful and quiet and the people are so warm, friendly and pleasant. The landscape is breathtaking and the wildlife, volcanoes, glaciers and geothermal areas are stunning. I remember one viewpoint from where we could see more than 60 volcanoes! Although it is usually very windy and cold the air is so clean and fresh. You will also notice that everything smells of rotten eggs as the hot water is piped free straight from the ground and it is loaded with sulphur which gives the smell. Shops, people, houses and you will stink of sulphur but you don't notice it after about three days. Try the local foods too such as two-year old smoked salmon and raw, dried cod. They are surprisingly good.

Sorry to eulogise but I loved Iceland so much and you will too. You will never forget the country and the people. Have a great time.

[marki961]

Andyvon, thank you very much indeed for that info. I'm throwing a few things in my case today and will pack some extra clothes ( lots of layers I think). Can't wait to get there after your description.
Marki961

[dot.hawkes]

my ex hubby went there climbing glaciers, there are no trees apparently

[Andyvon]

There are a few dot.hawkes. There's a small wood of birch trees near Lake Myvatn which is about two miles square. The trees are all quite straggly but it is the only large expanse of trees left on the island. The Icelanders are very proud of the fact and tour groups like ours make a point of visiting. The coach stops - visitors walk for about half an hour through the wood - and the coach meets them the other side. We also visited several canyons where there are stands of birches.

[Ethel]

There are midges in Iceland:

http://www.world-traveller.org/site/Iceland_19 99_-_Midges...

http://www.news.wisc.edu/13091

Q I�ve heard you get lots of mosquitoes in Iceland, is this true?
A There are no mosquitoes but there are midges but as midges really only thrive around shallow freshwater lakes during the summer months, they are not a problem for most people.
http://www.arctic-experience.co.uk/icelandw/fa qs.asp

(Incidentally, I would recommend the use of a midge hood if you decide to visit this area towards the end of July/August)
http://www.btinternet.com/~bury_rd/iceland.htm


But I shouldn't worry about it - if you do come across any, you'll be able to buy repellants over there. Enjoy yourself!

[KARL]

This comes very late in the day for you. There are indeed midges (quite large ones) in Iceland - it is far from being too cold for them to survive as a calm day in the north (particularly around Myvatn) will prove. However, it does not take much of a breeze to help a lot, but take a netting hood with you in case or buy it there - they get everywhere and will drive you to distraction if the conditions are right (clouds of them). It is interesting to see the old myths are still alive (no trees) - yes, the country was almost totally cleared in olden times when the island was cut off from fuel and all other types of supplies, but forestry is now a small but growing sector of the economy as other more important things have previously been dealt with. Trees will grow reasonably well if given the chance (just open your eyes in the towns). Native birch is a very hardy small variety that survived generations of sheep attacking them for food. I have very rarely heard anyone say they did not enjoy Iceland, the only example I can remember was a couple who got their trip for free - they are a costa beach and beer type (should never have gone to Iceland). The weather is a lottery as much or more than that in Britain but last summer was particularly good with sun and warmth for weeks on end.

[marki961]

Thank you everyone, according to the BBC weather service it should be sunny and breezy for our first few days. We are doing the Golden circle trip on thursday, hopefully the breeze will keep any midges grounded!
Thanks for your advice and descriptions, although andyvon is not seling the local cuisine to me. Two-year old smoked salmon! yuk!

[KARL]

There are in effect no midges to worry about in the southwest. I know the country well but am unclear as to the two year smoked salmon - perhaps the contributor was given an "extreme tour" of the things that people dig out to frighten foreigners. Do try skyr, a product that is technically a very young cheese, not a yoghurt - have it in its original form, not a flavoured variety until later for comparison. Skyr is rated by many as the supreme breakfast dish or even dessert if fresh berries such as blueberries are included with a good pouring of thin cream.

[KARL]

How did you get on in Iceland - I am curious as to what you thought of it ?

[marki961]

Hello karl. Thanks for asking about our trip. Rather like Andyvon I am now completely smitten with Iceland. I loved Reykjavik's old quarter with its tin houses painted in rainbow colours, and the people there couldn't have been more helpful. At 5'7" tall I did feel a bit of a dwarf amongst all those lanky Icelanders!
Thanks for suggesting Skyr, we all thought it was great.Low in fat and really tasty too. I shall see if we can get it here in the UK. I couldn't bring myself to try foal fillet, although one of the group had a whale burger (dry and chewy apparently).
The weather couldn't have been kinder to us, lots of sun and 18 Celcius in some of the places we visited on our "golden circle trip", real T-shirt weather. Didn't come across any midges,infact we could have done with sun screen instead of insect repellant. We all came back with mediterranean style tans!
I have to compliment the tourist board for all the useful pamphlets they made available. With all that daylight and so much to do we got about 4 hours sleep a night.
I'd recommend it to anyone.
Thanks again for your earlier advice
Mark

[KARL]

Skyr is not commercially available in the UK but I have heard that someone in Kirkcaldy, Fife makes it. However, how much and whether he/she offers any to others is another matter. I have been thinking of following this up and must now make the effort - will let you know if I get anywhere useful with it. I am glad your trip went well, I think it is an interesting place and getting a feel as to how the society is structured and operates is the cherry on top - no wonder they are so content as to be on record as the happiest nation on the planet.