Tag Archives: kirkjubæjarklaustur

Jun1

Taking a walk to Systrafoss waterfall and Stjornarfoss waterfall

Posted on by
Standard

Sunday, 12-May-2024


The hikes in Kirkjubæjarklaustur mainly focused around a trail winding its way up the cliffside and onto the plateau above town. Which, unsurprisingly for Iceland, includes rivers and lakes which then cascaded down said cliffside is gloriously picturesque waterfalls.

Similar to Oregon, interestingly enough.

That’s something I may have mentioned already, but if I didn’t I’ll double-down on the assertation – Iceland was quite similar to Oregon from my perspective. Soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls… those are obvious. But the landscape, full of short trees and grasslands, is impressively similar to parts of Oregon – mainly out East and in the center of the state.

Anyways, the hiking around Kirkjubæjarklaustur was super fun, and the twin waterfalls of Systrafoss and Stjornarfoss were definitely worth visiting! Not too challenging, not too easy… they were, in all ways, the goldilocks of a fun and simple day hike.

May31

Adventures in Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Posted on by
Standard
Adventures in Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Saturday, 11-May-2024, and Sunday, 12-May-2024


My adventures brought me to a town I can’t pronounce.

Translated, the name means “Church Farm Cloister”, which is a very direct and simple description of the town – there’s a church, there’s a farm, and there’s a cloister. Or… there was, back when the name was picked. Or someone was describing it, and the other person thought that was the name? Man, I don’t understand people today, much less vikings.

And that’s a neat part! This town WASN’T founded by Vikings! At least, not entirely…. the cloister was founded by Irish Monks, who practiced and early form of Christianity back when Iceland was primarily following the Norse religion. It’s a beautiful down, snuggled into a valley with the standard huge soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls that’re so common in Iceland.

Of interesting note – there’s two great restaurants, and Iceland’s tallest tree here.

Of also interesting note – There’s one of Iceland’s first hydro power generation facilities here! I can’t really call it a “generation plant”, since it’s approximately the size of my bedroom, but… very neat piece of previously-lost history, reclaimed by Icelandic artists.

Of further interesting note – Great hiking. We had a grand old time braving the rain and kicking around the trails around town, above town, and through town. Definitely worth the visit if you happen to be in the area!

May31

The Skaftareldahraun lava flow

Posted on by
Standard

Saturday, 11-May-2024


So, I love learning about “small” events that triggered larger cascades of events.

Things like the Bar Kokhba rebellion in Roman times (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Kokhba_revolt), which directly and indirectly led to Christianity, the creation of Palestine, the Jewish Diaspora, and… basically majorly contributed to the entire world that we currently live in.

Or, things like the Laki eruption, which caused the Skaftareldahraun lava flow… along with (debatably) the French Revolution and thus the general fall of most European monarchies.

Yeah. Little things.


I was driving to meet up with my friends in a town who’s name I still can’t pronounce (Ed Note: kirkjubæjarklaustur. No, the editor can’t pronounce it either), and I noticed a pull out on the side of the road, in the middle of what looked to be a medium-old lava field.

Roadtrip Rule – stop and look at neat things as often as you can.



I stopped, I walked, and I read the signage.

It was… really, really interesting. This is one of the many reasons I love travelling – I’d never have known about the Laki eruption if I hadn’t visited Iceland. Even though it contributed so significantly to the entire world I live in… It’s just one cog in the machine that’s created our society, so easily lost in the midst of the cascade of events. How many more little things don’t I know about? And how many are happening right now?

I’m gonna find out, at least as best I can.