Toum in Wonderland: Destination Iceland

Today i have managed to start a trip to a place that i have always dreamed of. 19 years ago, in 1993, at the age of 12, when Eurovision was the ultimate family event, I remember liking the Croatian song (their firs song ever in the competition) "Dont ever cry.......my Croatian sky", but for a mysterious subconscious reason i fell in love with Iceland. Many insisted that it was due to the beautiful singer Inga, but i am sure that it wasn't so.

I think that I probably saw pictures from Iceland or its magical name made me wanting desperately want to visit this remote island.

Since that time one of my dream target places became Iceland.

At the age of 18 i discovered the science of Geology by luck, since in Cyprus the term of geology was not known through our educational system. I was always font of collecting rocks, fascinated when an earthquake occurred, dazzled when i was looking the great ocean or a volvano.

After successfully studying geology in Greece and practicing various occupations simultaneously and through the last 5 years i have managed to be financially able to make this trip.

So here i am today, at 26 July 2012 (6.30) starting this magical dream trip.

At the moment i am traveling from Larnacam Cyprus to Viennam Austria (a 2 hour and 50 minute flight) where i will meet one of by favourite friends. Then-sun has moved to Austria a few weeks ago to take some German lessons and try to find a job, since in Greece nowadays it is almost impossuble for her to get a job and have a decent salary. I will visit the Gustav Klimt museum in Belveder e and then let her show me some places. I will spend almost 8 hours in the city until my next flight.

Also i am happy to have many frieds thinking (or even jealous) of me, which since i travel alone, have demanded to check-in and upload pictures when possible through my facebook account.

Another thing i should explain to you is why am i writing this diary-blog. All the information for my trip except travel guides it was from two blog (. That is also the reason why this blog is written in the English instead of the Greek language. Maybe someone someday will find this blog and consult it.

Lufthansa's flight is operated by Austrian airlines but i haven't had anything to eat or drink since i have been sleeping for the last 2 hours.After landing in the beautiful airport of Vienna i had a freshly squeezed orange and strawberry juice and a cheese bread for ony 2.70.

I bought a 24-hour airport train, u-bahn (underground) and other transportation ticket for 25.50 euro and i am waint for the luxurius and clean train to depart from the platform. Everyone here is soooo quiet and sooo friendly (at least the people working at the services). and everything is sooo Green. Of course when we landed since many Cypriots where on the plane, when we had safely landed everyone was clapping and cheering the captain. Of course no one understood why. Not even a sound. Even some graffiti on the bridges are so well structured that don't really bother you. Soooo quiet. I could even do some work that requires thinking here. But could i live in this quite and maybe lifeless place? I am not sure. Its like going to a spa. Could someone stay in a spa forever regardless how relaxing this place is? After a quick stroll (and U1 line closed) i had a short stop at H&M and headed to Belvedere where i viewed the amazing Klimt drawings.

Now i am off to meet Then-Sun for lunch and more. With Then-Sun we had a nice snitchel at a inside garden restaurant and after a little walk we headed to the MUMOK the museum of modern art. Time passes fast and it is now time to head back to the airport

Lunch with Then-Sun

Outside Mumok museum

Amazing benches

Inside Mumok

Arrivnig in Hamburg unfortunately i have no time to go for a tour in the city. In this airport with just basic facilities and nothing savory (potato chips) to have the beer with i am relaxing! Again here it is soooooo quiet. How can they be soooo quiet. Even the children laugh on a mute mode.

I have nothing else to report at the moment. Just excitement running through my veins!

After an hour boredom i started walking slowly slowly around the shop. And i discovered Milka-popcorn. Oh yes. Its a layer of popcorn connected with chocolate,

Another 40 minutes to go and i have come here to my gate A23 :) where i am having a look at people. Mostly young people with their backpaks in a hiking mode, older couples and just a family of french people. Next to me a company of 3 young men (in their late twenties to thirties) with their hiking shoes and umbrellas probably spanish. All the others probably german or austrian which as you guessed are in a mute mode. We are aroud 70 person and i am wondering about our airplane.

This excitement that only shows through the eye and the motionless unconsious body moves is all around.

The time is now 21.30 and the sun has finally set.21.35 boarding to a Eurowings plane. Its a CRJ 900 for those who understand with i guess a maximum of 100 passengers. The lady from the Larnaca airport has seated me at the exit emergency door. So i have plenty of room infront of me. Lets see who will be seating next to me.No one!

The captain is giving us info so lets see... Flying for 2.50 minutes. Smooth condition except one place for a while. Reykjavik is 14oC. No more talking in order not to disturb out sleep.....

Aafter the smoothest take off o the day we have started chasing the sun! Moving north over sea. No more land until when we reach the wonderland. It is also the first time and probably the only flight where a almost all the passengers wear outdoor clothes and not suits. I have to try and sleep but the excitement i think is not gonna let me.

After a nice dinner i managed to get some sleep. And suddenly the sun has risen again. I can spot Iceland below me and I can just watch. A smile has been drawn on my face, my face smashed on the window. Just like a little child waiting for Santa to arrive. And Thank God I am not the only one acting like that!!!

And finally we landed at 11.05pm and the sun had just set. Basically you cannot see the Sun, but there is plenty of light all around.