In honour of L's upcoming trip today's postcard comes from Iceland!
The little town of Vik is the southernmost town in Iceland with a population of about 300 people. Despite its small size it is an important service centre for the locals and visitors to this area along the coast.
Its black basalt sand made for the darkest beach I have ever seen and it was just so peaceful to sit and watch the waves crash against the shore last summer. In 1991, Islands Magazine, even rated it as one of the ten most beautiful beaches on Earth. The cliffs on the western end of the beach are home to many seabirds, especially puffins. Also interesting to note is that there is no landmass between this beach and Antarctica!
Vik is right beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier which sits atop the Katla volcano. This volcano has not erupted since 1918 (which is longer than its typical rest period) so it's thought an eruption may occur soon. If it erupts there is concern that the eruption could melt enough ice to cause a flash flood that could take out the whole town. The people of Vik practice regular evacuation drills to the town's church which is located high up on a hill right above this beach.
I think you're going to really enjoy Iceland L and hope you have a wonderful trip. And if you hear the rumblings of a volcano about to erupt when you're in Vik, please head for the church!
Photo taken August 5, 2013
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