Day one of a fantastic trip to Iceland
I decided to go to Iceland because a friend, Dorrit Mousaieff, who is married to the President of Iceland, has been telling me what an amazing country it is. I worked with Dorrit to learn about what to see on our intense, busy, and crowded five-day trip to this smallest Scandinavian country. I hired Luxury Adventures Iceland to provide a driver. We were given a wonderful young man, Karl Olafsson, a project manager, who made sure that we saw as much as we could and experienced as much as possible in the allotted time. Karl had access to several vehicles that were especially chosen for the terrain to be covered. He was also a very accomplished and well-educated guide. He knew the country, its history, and geography very well. We stayed in the capital city, Reykjavik, in a private guest house for five days, with one day spent in the North. We got to see a wonderful sampling of the country’s diversity. This is my first day’s blog, with more to come.
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Martha, I have always wanted to visit Iceland. I think I have a real affinity for Nordic nations, coming from Canada. Something about the purity of the air, the crispness of the wind and the almost alien-like landscapes of cold climes really charms me.
I'm so glad you got to see the country and learned about its eco-friendly energy policies, which really are a model for the rest of the world.
Can't wait to see more.
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | August 12th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Martha,
Did you cross the path of Olafur Eliasson who is from Iceland and gave us the New York Waterfalls ??
Posted by: SteveNYC | August 12th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Hi Martha, What an absolutely fantastic, extremely informative blog! Your commentary is very noteworthy and the photos are absolutely stunning! This is better than anything on the travel channel. The thermal energy plants are really pristine. They must have very efficient employees to keep everything so pristine. The basalt rocks and the barren landscape, remind me a lot of Eastern Washington along the Columbia River near Vantage. The chef certainly provided you with fantastic food. I love the photo of the President and his wife. They certainly are a handsome couple. Is that Charles in the photo of you and the President in that chasm? I think it is photo number 6. I look forward to the next installment. Thank you for taking us along on your fantastic trip to Iceland. PS Did you pick your new puppy yet? Can't wait for those photos either! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 13th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Thank you for another interesting and informative blog (as usual!)
The pictures are wonderful. Looks like you had a very nice time over there. Looking forward to seeing more of them.
That Lobster looks out of this world...
Posted by: Maureen | August 13th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Your trip looks quite interesting so far! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures; I can't wait to see more! I have always wanted to visit Iceland so this is a real treat.
Posted by: Emily | August 13th, 2008 at 7:05 am
To be on a photo vacation with one of the masters of LEXAR Digital must be simply surreal.
Cant wait to see more pictures!
Posted by: RPM | August 13th, 2008 at 7:48 am
I said this before and I'll say it again, I do love living vicariously through your adventures, Martha! I look forward to reading about the Nordic horseback riding.
Posted by: Julie | August 13th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I'm so jealous! I had a stop over at the Keflavik airport on my way to Norway in May. From what I could see Iceland looks beautiful.
Posted by: Melissa A. | August 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
My husband wants to go to Iceland on vacation. He'll be all over your blog when I tell him you have photos!
Posted by: danielle | August 13th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I love how they presented the salad. The lobster tails look phenomenal.
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las Vegas, NV | August 13th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Looks fun. I love Scandanavia. The daylights must be really long now. Although it looks cold. Can't wait to see more pics.
Posted by: ShopLIttleGifts | August 13th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I visited Iceland in 2001. I went on the Midweek Madness plan offered by Iceland Air. It was cheap, and off-season (October), and we saw a lot in just 5 days. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see Iceland. We flew in from Boston. One of the highlights: an all-seafood buffet.
Posted by: Rhea | August 13th, 2008 at 11:01 am
You are so lucky to be able to travel to so many places and I really appreciate this blog where we can read about your adventures and look at your fantastic pictures. Doris Mousaieff wasn't kidding when she said Iceland was an amazing country; beauty-wise and eco-friendly-wise!
The rock formations were unbelievable and I really liked that deserted two lane road with the hilly landscape; so peaceful looking.
Hey, only you could get the president of Iceland to pose between two giant rock formations in the middle of no-where. At least it looks desolate. Great blog Martha; you never leave anything out! I think I'd like to go to Iceland. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 13th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I have been to Scandinavia, but not Iceland. And now I want to go! I'm hoping that you did some filming at the geothermal plants so we can see more on your show - fascinating!
Posted by: Angela | August 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Iceland - our favorite place! We've been there several times and it's where we went for our daughters first trip outside the States. Beautiful country, stunning views, sweet and clean air, wonderful food, warm hearted people. The salmon fishing and horse back riding is incredible!
Posted by: Phyllis | August 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Oh, MARTHA. . .Iceland? That's an amazing place. At least you got to cool off for a few days. Does it ever get truly warm there? Wait--it's called Iceland. . .probably not.
Those look like SHRIMP, not LOBSTER! They do, however, look YUMMY.
Wow. Can't wait to see the rest of your pictures.
Thanks so much!
Amy
Posted by: Amy in Houston | August 13th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Martha,
My wife, I and my 2 teenage sons were in Iceland at the same time as you for 12 days. My wife Selma is Icelandic and has lots of family lives there. Selma's parent Johann & Edda Olafsson went with us and live here in California with us. What an amazing country. We were at The Blue Lagoon the day you were there and visited the Geothermal Plant the day after you. My wife's cousin Agust is a chief engineer there and gave us an intense tour. What resourceful people. I have many of the same pics you posted. I even ate a traditional home cooked meal consisting of the rotten shark, sheep's head, whale meat, slottir(lamb blood)and fish stew. They were just trying to shock me. We also went artic river rafting in the run-off from the glaciers and fell in a few times. I had a 2 hour ice cream headache. I visited the president's home also. I'm glad you enjoyed the country as much as I did and I hope to go back someday.
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | August 13th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
What beautiful scenery! Did you get a chance to see any Icelandic horses or puffins?
Posted by: Sherry | August 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Oh! Thank you for taking me along! The photo's are fabulous! I will probably never in my lifetime make it there , so this is just as good! Thank you.
Posted by: Tilda | August 13th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Cow pie, hmmm. Martha do you think everyone knows what you are talking about?
Excellent excellent blog. Your pictures always give an ordinary thing a twist of "culture" and excitment. Glad the sheep were there for you to shoot a picture of.
Posted by: Margie | August 13th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
The United States is searching for a renewable, clean and inexpensive source of energy--and methinks Martha Stewart may have found a mutually amicable solution. Now THAT's a good--rather, great--thing!!!
Loved the gorgeous photos as well!
Posted by: Alex | August 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Thank you for sharing your travels, and just everyday life. I love reading your blog!It's as interesting as your TV show, magazines, and books are. I love the day by day glimsp into your life....looking forward to the rest of the trip!
Posted by: Wendy | August 13th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Your first day blogs were amazng. Thank you for sharing your adventures and continuing to educate us. I, and I am sure so many others, learn so much from you. Thanks. I look forward to day two!
Posted by: Barbara | August 13th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Which puppy did you choose? We are dying to know and to see more pictures of you and your newest child.
Posted by: Jane Meese | August 14th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hmmm, Iceland. Sounds freezing!
Thanks for the picture and enjoy your time there!
Posted by: Jill | August 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Looks like you had an amazing time.. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: susy | August 14th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Thank You
Posted by: Joyce Roberts | August 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hi Martha
I've been a big fan of yours 'forever'! Recently saw a show of yours with your housekeeper Cheryl DuLong - and then when I read your blog about Iceland had to write to suggest you visit my son, Trey Ratcliff's website http://www.stuckincustoms.com - he has wonderful hdr shots from Iceland and all over the world and is becoming quite well known - he started his blog so that I could keep up with where he was and what he was doing years ago. He is represented by Getty at times and also has been in the Smithsonian. I am sure your trip to Iceland was wonderful - after seeing the photos I hope I can one day to visit there!
Keep up the great work Martha - will be glad when fall comes and we don't have to watch repeats any more!
Susan
Posted by: Susan Ratcliff | August 14th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
nice pics:-
Posted by: lost | August 16th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Hi Martha,
I used to work for you in Retail Marketing, I miss the creative work environment your company provided and it was an experience I will never forget. My husband and I are going to Iceland in 2 weeks and we can't wait; thanks for the pictures it got us even more excited!
Posted by: Kristin Forgiano Quinn | August 16th, 2008 at 4:59 pm