#Glacial Aurora

[everythingdice]

Glacial Aurora | Uninked test design, 2020.

[fotos-art]

Aerial view of glacial rivers in Iceland

© rybarmarekk

Shutterstock

Did you know that Iceland, the “land of fire and ice,” has rivers formed by the melting of glaciers that have shaped its landscape for thousands of years? The largest glaciers, such as Vatnajökull, Langjökull, and Hofsjökull, feed these unique rivers. Vatnajökull, the largest, covers 7,700 km², or 10% of the island. When the ice melts, the water carries sediment with it, giving the rivers a milky appearance that contrasts with the volcanic terrain. In spring and summer, the melting ice increases its flow, continually shaping the landscape. From the air, they look like authentic works of art that flow towards the North Atlantic. These rivers are not only impressive, they are also vital to Iceland, as their waters feed hydroelectric plants, positioning the country as a leader in clean energy.

[dirk-hardpec]

a single penny, laying in a wet gutter. a rat's foot is visible in the top-left corner of the image. grayscale.

[owl-bones]

👉👈 Could we get more info about Fae Dust? His wings are gorgeous, but we don't know too terribly much about him. I would love to draw my faesona interacting with him, but there's not a whole lot to go off of.

Dust is an elusive fae. he doesn't have much interest in humans or tricks, preferring to keep to himself. he's cold and doesn't talk much, and people aren't even sure if he's 'friends' with the little group of Nightmare's inner circle he almost exclusively is seen with. sightings of Dust alone are rare-- not because he's always in a group, but because when he's alone he just disappears. he goes off into the woods to do... nobody knows what. (he's off sitting on frozen waterfalls playing an ocarina, hunting, being a dramatic loner. anything to keep himself occupied where there's peace of mind and nobody around him to get hurt if he has an episode)

he's hard to get a read on and even harder to get close to. you're better off getting close to one of the others, then assimilating yourself into his inner circle that way. the pace at which he warms up to people is glacial so expect the slowest of burns even just for a mild friendship.

once you've worked your way into his closed-off heart, though, you'll find someone who is undyingly loyal and very afraid of losing the good things in his life. if he takes you on a 'walk' that turns into a long hike that ends in an aurora/star-gazing session atop an icy mountain (with a cute little hunting cabin with a fire conveniently already started in the hearth...) then that's basically a declaration of love (platonic and romantic).

[acronym-chaos]

Frost and Snow ID Pack

[PT: Frost and Snow ID Pack].

[ID: A purple thin line divider shaded at the bottom. End ID].

Names

[PT: Names].

Alina, Aurelian, Aurora, Bane, Bianca, Boreas, Caspian, Crystal, Eira, Elowen, Everest, Faye, Frost, Glace, Glacia, Gwen, Hail, Hala, Icy, Icario, Ivor, Iris, Jasper, Kalt, Loden, Lucien, Lumi, Mira, Neve, Noelle, North, Orin, Perla, Polar, Quinlan, Silvia, Snowe, Soren, Storm, Talia, Theron, Tundra, Vail, Wynter, Yvette, Zephyr, Zanna, Zarina

Pronouns

[PT: Pronouns].

Bli / Bliz / Blizzes [Blizzard]; Chi / Chill / Chills; Cri / Cryst / Crys [Crystal]; Cry / Crys / Crystal; Fla / Flake / Flakes; Flur / Flurry / Flurries; Fro / Fros / Frosts; Frost / Bite / Frostbites; Frig / Frigid / Frigids; Glae / Glace / Glaces; Hai / Hail / Hails; I / Ice / Ices; She / Shiver / Shivers; Sli / Slip / Slipperys; Sno / Snow / Snows; Tha / Thaw / Thaws; Wi / Wint / Wints [Winter]

Titles

[PT: Titles].

The Arctic Phantom, The Blizzard’s Whisper, The Frozen Fate, The Frostbitten Monarch, The Frostweaver, The Glacial Guardian, The Icemist Warden, The Icy Embrace, The Keeper of Cold, The Silent Blizzard, The Snowbound Wanderer, The Winter’s Chill, [Pronoun] Who Brings the Frost, [Pronoun] Who Commands the Storm, [Pronoun] Who Shivers the Earth, [Pronoun] Who Walks the Tundra

[ID: A purple thin line divider shaded at the bottom, end ID].

Requested by @luxdraconia!

Also tagging: @pronoun-arc @id-pack-archive

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Superflares once per century

More often than previously thought, sun-like stars hurl huge amounts of radiation into space. The Sun, too, is capable of such outbursts

There is no question that the Sun is a temperamental star, as alone this year’s unusually strong solar storms prove. Some of them led to remarkable auroras even at low latitudes. But can our star become even more furious? Evidence of the most violent solar “tantrums” can be found in prehistoric tree trunks and in samples of millennia-old glacial ice. However, from these indirect sources, the frequency of superflares cannot be determined. And direct measurements of the amount of radiation reaching the Earth from the Sun have only been available since the beginning of the space age.

Another way to learn about our Sun’s long-term behavior is to turn to the stars, as is the approach of the new study. Modern space telescopes observe thousands and thousands of stars and record their brightness fluctuations in visible light. Superflares, which release amounts of energy of more than one octillion joules within a short period of time, show themselves in the observational data as short, pronounced peaks in brightness. “We cannot observe the Sun over thousands of years,” Prof. Dr. Sami Solanki, Director at the MPS and coauthor, explained the basic idea behind the investigation. “Instead, however, we can monitor the behavior of thousands of stars very similar to the Sun over short periods of time. This helps us to estimate how frequently superflares occur,” he adds.

Looking for close relatives of the Sun

In the current study, the team including researchers from the University of Graz (Austria), the University of Oulu (Finland), the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the University of Colorado Boulder (USA) and the Commissariat of Atomic and Alternative Energies of Paris-Saclay and the University of Paris-Cité, analyzed the data from 56450 sun-like stars as seen by NASA’s space telescope Kepler between 2009 and 2013. “In their entirety, the Kepler data provide us with evidence of 220000 years of stellar activity,” said Prof. Dr. Alexander Shapiro from the University of Graz.

Crucial for the study was the careful selection of the stars to be taken into account. After all, the chosen stars should be particularly close “relatives” of the Sun. The scientists therefore only admitted stars whose surface temperature and brightness were similar to the Sun’s. The researchers also ruled out numerous sources of error, such as cosmic radiation, passing asteroids or comets, as well as non-sun-like stars that in Kepler images may by chance flare up in the vicinity of a sun-like star. To do this, the team carefully analyzed the images of each potential superflare - only a few pixels in size - and only counted those events that could reliably be assigned to one of the selected stars.

In this way, the researchers identified 2889 superflares on 2527 of the 56450 observed stars. This means that on average, one sun-like star produces a superflare approximately once per century.

“High performance dynamo computations of these solar-type stars easily explain the magnetic origins of the intense release of energy during such superflares”, said coauthor Dr. Allan Sacha Brun of the Commissariat of Atomic and Alternative Energies of Paris-Saclay and the University of Paris-Cité.

Surprisingly frequent

“We were very surprised that sun-like stars are prone to such frequent superflares”, said first author Dr. Valeriy Vasilyev from the MPS. Earlier surveys by other research groups had found average intervals of a thousand or even ten thousand years. However, earlier studies were unable to determine the exact source of the observed flare and therefore had to limit themselves to stars that did not have any too close neighbors in the telescope images. The current study is the most precise and sensitive to date.

Longer average time intervals between extreme solar events have also been suggested by studies looking for evidence of violent solar storms impacting Earth. When a particularly high flux of energetic particles from the Sun reaches the Earth's atmosphere, they produce a detectable amount of radioactive atoms such as the radioactive carbon isotope 14C. These atoms are then deposited in natural archives such as tree rings and glacial ice. Even thousands of years later, the sudden influx of high-energy solar particles can thus be deduced by measuring the amount of 14C using modern technologies. 

In this way, researchers were able to identify five extreme solar particle events and three candidates within the past twelve thousand years of the Holocene, leading to an average occurrence rate of once per 1500 years. The most violent is believed to have occurred in the year 775 AD. However, it is quite possible that more such violent particle events and also more superflares occurred on the Sun in the past. “It is unclear whether gigantic flares are always accompanied by coronal mass ejections and what is the relationship between superflares and extreme solar particle events. This requires further investigation”, co-author Prof. Dr. Ilya Usoskin from the University of Oulu in Finland pointed out. Looking at the terrestrial evidence of past extreme solar events could therefore underestimate the frequency of superflares.

Forecasting dangerous space weather

The new study does not reveal when the Sun will throw its next fit. However, the results urge caution. “The new data are a stark reminder that even the most extreme solar events are part of the Sun's natural repertoire,” said coauthor Dr. Natalie Krivova from the MPS. During the Carrington event of 1859, one of the most violent solar storms of the past 200 years, the telegraph network collapsed in large parts of northern Europe and North America. According to estimates, the associated flare released only a hundredth of the energy of a superflare. Today, in addition to the infrastructure on the Earth's surface, especially satellites would be at risk.

The most important preparation for strong solar storms is therefore reliable and timely forecasting. As a precaution, satellites, for example, could be switched off. From 2031, ESA’s space probe Vigil will help in the endeavor of forecasting. From its observation position in space, it will look at the Sun from the side and notice sooner than Earth-bound probes when processes that might drive dangerous space weather are brewing up on our star. The MPS is currently developing the Polarimetric and Magnetic Imager for this mission.

IMAGE: Artist's impression of a Sun-like star exhibiting a superflare as seen in visible light Credit MPS/Alexey Chizhik

[missedstations]

"After Rothko’s Green Blue Green (1969)" - Blu Mehari

At the airport baggage claim, my father and I Fundamentally disagree as to the nature of teal. I propose some fish fins and bird’s eggs, Cyanobacteria as well as sections of the ocean, But mostly it is a stunning lie to say The sea’s any color, but anemic and blue. Certain inks, peacocks in places Around the eye and plumage, auroras, apatites Damselflies, a shocking number of beetles Who are then pulverized for dye, Icebergs, as their layers separate light, And sometimes living green animals Tint glacial bodies before they melt Into puny water. Some markings on flags or maybe Exclusively the rectangle on Sri Lanka’s, I’m not sure. The alternate uniform of the Anaheim Ducks Because the word teal comes from a breed Of ducks. (Linnaeus remarks on the bright Patches on their wings.) They are unlikely To go extinct, but who knows? Medical scrubs, Indonesian passports, a few ocean paintings, And that Rothko I know you’d loathe To see it where it hangs somewhere in low light Bare paint while it goes on all ten Million dollars of it according to Sotheby’s And cut through with an ultramarine stripe anyway. He responds with the thin blankets that sometimes sheath The faces of corpses and a burlap shawl My grandmother wore, embroidered with gold leaves. I offer a kind of hornworm while hauling My suitcase (green) from the carousel And he gives the outline of a boyhood mountain On his Amharic copy of Robinson Crusoe. I say I never knew you paid so much attention. He says I named you for a color.

[sitting-on-me-bum]

In Iceland, it’s possible to view an aurora borealis display above the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon.

Photo by John A. Davis/Shutterstock

[hersurvival]

I am from a land of naught, barren wastes of sharp peaks, valleys so deep you can't escape, a bitter cold you'll never shake

Mount Susitna in her slumber watches me, Lady Aurora dances overhead, the Matanuska flows through my veins, the silt blowing from her feet into my lungs

Glacial streams have carved me out, water so cold and blue, it's unreal, soaking my bones, look beneath my skin, dive into my heart, feel its chill, it's threat

Eyes green as moss, as mold, as the lichen the caribou search for in the tundra, in the woods, as the dead grass on the side of the road as the snow begins to run-off

Excuse me, for I was raised by moose standing among the trees, black bears crossing highways in the night, eagles screeching, salmon spawning, one of the world's fastest tides

Beware the Keelut, malevolent dog tracks that vanish in the snow, the Tornit and his foul smell, The People-Stealers who sing a poor birdsong to lure, and whatever you do, don't wander into "the triangle"

This is where I belong, descended from government contracted potato farmers and immigrants who fought and lived through war, birthed in the cradle of mountains, hovered upon even when I'm gone, always returning home to their hold, captured by my mind, my soul

I've made it out, been dragged back in, I was born of this, raised in this, driven by survival insticts not thought, the cold has set in and I found every where else unfit to live

[lyss-butterscotch]

Hey Hi Hello I absolutely LOVE your gijinka designs and your style and I would be honored if you would gijinka-fy my beloved my oinglydoople messed up sad wet cat Tangled Threads!!! do what feels right... in your heart... go wild... i absolutely love your designs...

more info! more more info!

sorry for botherin ya but i had to ask! have a wonderful day/night! ^^

Okay i swear im not biased when it comes to the doodles but she's just so jfjdjdjdjksk aesthetically pleasing to draw im so biased to space and stars patterned anything

Also i decided to change brushes for the main image from here on out i hope thats okay

Okay lastly you put her in a glacial winter themed area you fackin bet she deserves to see the aurora its so pretty jdjdkdks. I also gave her houseki no kuni shiny hair because shiny hehe

Ps. Sorry for the shit image quality so far my tab is dying of space and i can only screenshot images jfjdkkddk

Pps. I think i fixed it sobs idk

[rraaaarrl]

✨With Her Eyes Made of Stars✨ 

Doom finally caught up to that foolish, stubborn Richards. He had to put a stop to this. He understood grief all too well. He thought Richards was finally past the denial phase. "Sue is alive, I feel it in my heart. She is still out there!" he would mutter, bent over the latest series of profane calculations.

Was this really the same Richards whose disdain for sorcery was no secret, simply because it was not logical to him, beyond his comprehension? No, this was not the Richards he knew, this was. Like looking into the past. The same focus on the impossible, singular goal of bringing her back. And like now, the tragic consequences. Naive Richards, back then, warning him, his calculations were off! Or so he claimed.

Doom should have returned the favor, told Richards that it's not too late! Until it was. Richards had flipped the last switch, the line, it had been crossed.

Glacial winds whipped Doom's cloak into a frenzy, as he narrowed his focus and zoomed in. Yes, that was definitely Richards, seemingly not affected by the merciless elements. No doubt something to do with his unique molecular structure. Richards, his face turned towards the night sky filled by the aurora borealis, looking up.

Victor followed the direction of Richards's gaze, and looked at the star-filled sky. The curiously star-filled–

A petty flash of anger, the audacity! How dare Richards be right! It quickly evaporated, because... well. "Alive" she appeared to be.

If you could call it that. If it was even her.

[18shadesofmay]

A Dog, a Doubt, and a Deity

“What is God?”

You shift in your seat, eyes heavy and knees sore, wondering how much body moisture one needs to sweat out before turning into a raisin. Plastic chairs are hard to sit on (in both interpretations of the word) for any more than about twenty seconds when the speaker talks like she lives in a shell on her back.

“You are not alone, friends. God's love is boundless, Her forgiveness infinite. With Her, we find a path to purpose, a connection to something greater than ourselves, and a promise of eternal life,” she slugs on. This particular lecture has been grinding on for a half hour now, and the stout little woman giving it seems dead set on converting every person, chair and housefly in the room to religion, and at a glacial pace of ten words per minute. Another half hour of boundless love and infinite forgiveness would definitely send you to something greater than yourself.

Ceiling fans murmur above you. They’re about as comprehensible to you as the speaker herself. What is the whole idea? A sense of community? Contentment? Salvation? You recall communal religiousness being a concept you once understood, but got lost as you grew older and your perceptions turned more decided. A two-sided coin you would’ve wanted to flip over, but never had the courage to read the print on the other side of. You know you’re right about this one thing, if not about every other thing. And it’s not like you need God to cook your breakfast and do your laundry anyway.

With a damp white shirt and gushing forehead, you pretend to take a call and excuse yourself from the hall. You scoff out of the building and bump into a fellow attendee, sharing quick, knowing smiles, as if to say “escaping too?”, and walk away. You’re not alone.

You decide you want a stroll in the park across the compound. Summer means more people, and more people means more faces to make stories about. You find yourself a rusty bench under a towering oak to observe from and let your thoughts brew themselves. A girl is playing with her dog, and you wonder if the dog thinks a higher power sent the rubber toy he’s so delightfully chewing on in his little toothy mouth. Or if the fluttering leaves and rustling trees are whispers from the Creator.

All these people and you sit with yourself. It isn’t lonely by any means, just a peaceful disconnect from the outside. You feel your breath slowing. Leaflets rain in an airy column, and a cloud curtains the sunlight once again. It’s almost like your heart just burst open. The dog trots over to say hello, and you ruffle his mane. His tail thumps against the ground and it feels like a symphony in a world full of clamour. There is perhaps a tinge of a form of hushed godliness in all this. Divine or not, this is…not bad.

All the noise you’ve always heard, about acts of the supreme being and gifts from above, feels somehow misdirected. In this very moment, you find yourself drowned in the calmness the priests always talk of. Even with your disagreeability, you relate with them in some kind of inexplicable soundlessness. Is this God getting to you, finally? What if She isn’t a booming voice or a vengeful hand? Just the voiceless hum of existence, the interconnectedness of all things? It may not be the God the lady preached about, but it’s enough for now. She wasn’t entirely wrong.

We simply don’t know. If it’s really Her making things move, we’d probably never find out in our fragile brevity on this weird rock. And if it isn’t, hey, you were right all along, and congratulations, it doesn’t matter one bit. There are ghost towns in the ocean and mountains in the clouds, and crowds on Shanghai streets and auroras in the north, and they’re all real regardless of the presence or absence of God. You will love and die or hate and live, and the only higher power you’ll ever need to worry about is your own self. There’s no Wikipedia page that holds the answer, but why not stop trying to write one? Right now, your God is a mere quietness that is present and full. Outside the gates of this park, maybe there exists a different one.

Maybe it’s the stout little lady back in the boring building. She definitely looked the age, didn’t she?

[stcnecoldd]

ALYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY ? Não! É apenas AURORA ELYSIUS, ela é filha de QUIONE do chalé TRINTA E UM e tem VINTE E SETE ANOS. A TV Hefesto informa no guia de programação que ela está no NÍVEL III por estar no Acampamento há QUINZE ANOS, sabia? E se lá estiver certo, RORY é bastante PRESTATIVA mas também dizem que ela é APÁTICA. Mas você sabe como Hefesto é, sempre inventando fake news pra atrair audiência.

PODER: Criocinese - O dom gélido, entrelaçado com o toque dos deuses, concede a ela a habilidade de manipular o frio e produzir gelo, assim tornando-se uma verdadeira mestre do inverno capaz de moldar qualquer ambiente com a frieza imponente. Seus poderes vão além de criar superfícies geladas; podendo moldar o gelo de maneira complexa e utilizá-lo de várias formas, incluindo armas afiadas e pontiagudas. Dotada desse poder extraordinário, personifica a majestade e a beleza implacável do inverno. Seus dons são uma fusão de arte e força, refletindo a dualidade de sua herança divina. PODER PASSIVO: Armadura de cristal ártico - Permite que transforme sua pele em uma camada de gelo cristalino e reluzente, proporcionando defesa aumentada contra ataques físicos e mágicos. Essa pele de gelo a torna invisível em ambientes nevados, imune ao frio extremo. HABILIDADES: Reflexos e vigor sobre-humanos. ARMA: 1. Cetro de Cristal Glacial - Consiste em um cetro esculpido a partir de um cristal mágico de gelo, que amplifica seus poderes, permitindo-lhe controlar o gelo com maior precisão e intensidade. Além disso, pode gerar rajadas de vento cortante. 2. Adaga Infernal (recompensa adiquirida): Por ser uma arma não muito popular nos dias atuais, essa lâmina de ferro estígio vem com o bônus de ter chamas de fogo infernal a tornando mais letal para adversários dos semideuses. Monstros ou outros semideuses são sensíveis ao fogo infernal, então deve ser manuseada com cuidado. MALDIÇÃO: Um deslize inocente atribuiu a ela uma maldição, denominada como "lágrimas cristalizadas", um castigo rogado pela própria mãe. Sempre que Aurora chora, suas lágrimas transformam-se em pequenos cristais de gelo cortantes, trazendo dor física e ferimentos à semideusa e quem ousar tocar nelas. Cada lágrima derramada torna-se uma lembrança dolorosa de sua maldição, invocada após desafiar diretamente a vontade de Quione ao buscar poder além do que lhe foi concedido. A maldição é uma resposta à sua arrogância e à tentativa de ultrapassar os limites estabelecidos pelos deuses. ATIVIDADES: Co-líder da equipe azul da parede de escalada, faz parte da equipe azul de esgrima e pratica corrida de pégasos.

DENVOLVIMENTO DA PERSONAGEM!

SOBRE : 𝐔 𝐧 𝐰 𝐚 𝐯 𝐞 𝐫 𝐢 𝐧 𝐠 𝐋 𝐞 𝐠 𝐢 𝐨 𝐧 !

HER STORY :

─    Foi durante uma noite gélida no inverno da Finlândia que Aurora foi concebida, em meio a uma tempestade de neve que assolava a região mais remota do país. O mortal de coração puro foi abençoado pela divindade, com quem tivera um caso intenso e fugaz, depois de Quione ter vislumbrado em sua descendência a promessa de um destino extraordinário. Assim, a garota de írises tingidas por um azul pálido, etéreos como a luz do alvorecer, veio ao mundo com a herança divina da deusa da neve fluindo em suas veias.

─    O período de sua infância foi marcado por eventos misteriosos e fenômenos naturais incomuns. Desde jovem, a garota manifestava um controle inato sobre a neve, sendo capaz de moldar e manipular elementos frios com um simples pensamento. Seu pai, percebendo que a filha era diferente, mas sem entender completamente a extensão de seus poderes, decidiu mantê-la afastada dos olhares curiosos, temendo a incompreensão e a possível perseguição por parte da sociedade.

─    Aurora viu sua vida mudar drasticamente quando, durante uma expedição pela montanha Galdhøpiggen, seu pai foi vítima de um monstro enviado por forças desconhecidas para eliminar qualquer vestígio da linhagem de Quione. Corajoso e inconsciente dos perigos que cercavam sua família, deu a vida para proteger a filha, escondendo a localização da mais jovem. Foi nesse momento trágico que Aurora descobriu a verdade sobre sua origem e a ameaça que pairava sobre ela.

─    Após a dilacerante morte, a semideusa foi encontrada por um sátiro enviado por Quíron, então encontrando refúgio no acampamento meio-sangue. A criatura explicou tudo sobre a natureza divina de Aurora, sua ligação com Quione e a necessidade de treinamento para enfrentar os perigos que aguardavam jovens como ela. Apesar da dor da perda, ela aceitou a oportunidade de honrar a memória de seu pai e descobrir o propósito de seus extraordinários poderes, sem alternativa para onde ir.

─    No acampamento, treinou diligentemente sob a orientação de instrutores e semideuses mais experientes, aprimorando suas habilidades com o gelo. Rapidamente, se destacou como uma das campistas mais promissoras. Mas, apenas depois de completar quatro anos de treinamento e enfrentar uma criatura que ameaçava desencadear um inverno eterno sobre o mundo dos mortais, foi reclamada pela deusa Quione, surpreendendo a poucos. 

─    Aurora Elysius, agora abraça seu destino. Sua jornada continua, mas ela caminha confiante, sabendo que a neve que controla é tanto uma bênção quanto uma responsabilidade, e que seu pai, onde quer que esteja, olha com orgulho para a semideusa que se tornou. O que desconhece, porém, é o ressentimento que Quione nutre por ela, a enxergando como um lembrete constante da falha fatal em proteger o mortal por quem um dia havia se apaixonado.

TRIVIA :

Seu sotaque ainda é extremamente carregado.

É uma exímia guerreira, excedendo-se no confronto físico.

Devido a maldição que carrega, tem dificuldade em lidar com os próprios sentimentos e expressá-los, uma limitação que conferiu a ela a reputação como fria e insensível.

É tutora de um cão infernal, carinhosamente apelidado como Blizzard. A criatura segue livre, mas realiza visitas constantes à semideusa, com quem mantém um relacionamento amistoso e próximo.

[globetogootravel]

Discover the Wonders of Iceland: A Complete Travel Guide

Iceland, often called the "Land of Fire and Ice," is a destination like no other. From its dramatic landscapes to its rich culture and unique cuisine, Iceland offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you plan your Icelandic adventure.

Must-See Attractions

1. The Golden Circle One of the most popular tourist routes, the Golden Circle includes three iconic sites: - Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its historical significance and unique geology. - Geysir Hot Springs Area: Home to Strokkur, a geyser that erupts every few minutes.

- Gullfoss Waterfall: A stunning, two-tiered waterfall that will leave you in awe. 2. The Blue Lagoon Relax in the milky blue geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, a world-renowned spa located near Reykjavík. Book in advance to secure your spot!

3. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon This breathtaking glacial lagoon is filled with floating icebergs. Take a boat tour for an up-close view of this natural wonder.

4. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Known for its dramatic basalt columns and roaring Atlantic waves, this beach near Vík is a photographer's dream.

5. Northern Lights If you visit Iceland between September and April, don't miss the chance to see the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky.

Icelandic Cuisine

Traditional Dishes to Try - Lamb Soup (Kjötsúa): A hearty, traditional Icelandic dish perfect for chilly days. - Plokkfiskur: A comforting fish stew made with cod or haddock. - Skyr: A creamy, protein-rich dairy product often compared to yogurt. - Hákarl: Fermented shark, a dish for the adventurous foodie.

Where to Eat? Reykjavík offers a range of dining options, from cozy cafes to fine dining. Check out: - Dill: Iceland's first Michelin-starred restaurant. - Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: A famous hot dog stand beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Accommodation

Top Hotels in Iceland - ION Adventure Hotel: A modern, eco-friendly hotel near Thingvellir National Park.

Book a room in ION Hotels: https://buff.ly/4gd2TYw - Hotel Rangá: Perfect for Northern Lights viewing, located in southern Iceland.

Book a room in Hotel Rangá: https://buff.ly/4hdvb6y - Reykjavík Edition: A luxurious option in the heart of the capital.

Book a room in Reykjavik Edition: https://buff.ly/40YEku5 Budget-Friendly Options - KEX Hostel: A trendy hostel in Reykjavík. - CampEasy: Rent a campervan for a unique and flexible way to explore Iceland.

Fun Facts About Iceland

- Iceland has no mosquitoes. - The country runs almost entirely on renewable energy. - Icelanders believe in elves; some roads are even rerouted to avoid disturbing their habitats. - Reykjavík is the northernmost capital city in the world.

Travel Tips and Tricks and useful informations

Things to do in Iceland: https://tiqets.tp.st/agZHH7gI Blue Lagoon: Admission Package with Drink, Towel, and Mask: https://buff.ly/4awXA4W Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater: https://gyg.me/q95UBBux From Jökulsárlón: Crystal Blue Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour: https://gyg.me/RVM1rZrD Full-Day South Coast, Black Beach & Waterfalls Tour: https://gyg.me/1ano6Tyi Northern Lights Tour with Lifetime Guarantee : https://gyg.me/kjP13ekd Get your free personalized luggage tags: https://buff.ly/4aekjm2

- Pack Layers: The weather can change quickly, so bring clothing you can layer. - Rent a Car: This is the best way to explore Iceland's natural wonders at your own pace. - Plan Ahead: Popular attractions and accommodations can book up quickly, especially in peak season. - Stay Safe: Always check weather and road conditions before heading out. - Embrace the Local Culture: Learn a few Icelandic phrases and be respectful of nature. Iceland is a land of contrasts and surprises, offering something for every kind of traveler. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, this enchanting country will exceed your expectations. Happy travels!

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[hopephantonhive]

O CORVO

(Edgar Allan Poe)

Em certo dia, à hora, à hora

Da meia-noite que apavora,

Eu caindo de sono e exausto de fadiga,

Ao pé de muita lauda antiga,

De uma velha doutrina, agora morta,

Ia pensando, quando ouvi à porta

Do meu quarto um soar devagarinho

E disse estas palavras tais:

"É alguém que me bate à porta de mansinho;

Há de ser isso e nada mais."

Ah! bem me lembro! bem me lembro!

Era no glacial dezembro;

Cada brasa do lar sobre o chão refletia

A sua última agonia.

Eu, ansioso pelo sol, buscava

Sacar daqueles livros que estudava

Repouso (em vão!) à dor esmagadora

Destas saudades imortais

Pela que ora nos céus anjos chamam Lenora,

E que ninguém chamará jamais.

E o rumor triste, vago, brando,

Das cortinas ia acordando

Dentro em meu coração um rumor não sabido

Nunca por ele padecido.

Enfim, por aplacá-lo aqui no peito,

Levantei-me de pronto e: "Com efeito

(Disse) é visita amiga e retardada

Que bate a estas horas tais.

É visita que pede à minha porta entrada:

Há de ser isso e nada mais."

Minha alma então sentiu-se forte;

Não mais vacilo e desta sorte

Falo: "Imploro de vós - ou senhor ou senhora -

Me desculpeis tanta demora.

Mas como eu, precisando de descanso,

Já cochilava, e tão de manso e manso

Batestes, não fui logo prestemente,

Certificar-me que aí estais."

Disse: a porta escancaro, acho a noite somente,

Somente a noite, e nada mais.

Com longo olhar escruto a sombra,

Que me amedronta, que me assombra,

E sonho o que nenhum mortal há já sonhado,

Mas o silêncio amplo e calado,

Calado fica; a quietação quieta:

Só tu, palavra única e dileta,

Lenora, tu como um suspiro escasso,

Da minha triste boca sais;

E o eco, que te ouviu, murmurou-te no espaço;

Foi isso apenas, nada mais.

Entro co'a alma incendiada.

Logo depois outra pancada

Soa um pouco mais tarde; eu, voltando-me a ela:

"Seguramente, há na janela

Alguma coisa que sussurra. Abramos.

Ela, fora o temor, eia, vejamos

A explicação do caso misterioso

Dessas duas pancadas tais.

Devolvamos a paz ao coração medroso.

Obra do vento e nada mais."

Abro a janela e, de repente,

Vejo tumultuosamente

Um nobre Corvo entrar, digno de antigos dias.

Não despendeu em cortesias

Um minuto, um instante. Tinha o aspecto

De um lord ou de uma lady. E pronto e reto

Movendo no ar as suas negras alas.

Acima voa dos portais,

Trepa, no alto da porta, em um busto de Palas;

Trepado fica, e nada mais.

Diante da ave feia e escura,

Naquela rígida postura,

Com o gesto severo - o triste pensamento

Sorriu-me ali por um momento,

E eu disse: "Ó tu que das noturnas plagas

Vens, embora a cabeça nua tragas,

Sem topete, não és ave medrosa,

Dize os teus nomes senhoriais:

Como te chamas tu na grande noite umbrosa?"

E o Corvo disse: "Nunca mais."

Vendo que o pássaro entendia

A pergunta que lhe eu fazia,

Fico atônito, embora a resposta que dera

Dificilmente lha entendera.

Na verdade, jamais homem há visto

Coisa na terra semelhante a isto:

Uma ave negra, friamente posta,

Num busto, acima dos portais,

Ouvir uma pergunta e dizer em resposta

Que este é o seu nome: "Nunca mais."

No entanto, o Corvo solitário

Não teve outro vocabulário,

Como se essa palavra escassa que ali disse

Toda sua alma resumisse.

Nenhuma outra proferiu, nenhuma,

Não chegou a mexer uma só pluma,

Até que eu murmurei: "Perdi outrora

Tantos amigos tão leais!

Perderei também este em regressando a aurora."

E o Corvo disse: "Nunca mais."

Estremeço. A resposta ouvida

É tão exata! é tão cabida!

"Certamente, digo eu, essa é toda a ciência

Que ele trouxe da convivência

De algum mestre infeliz e acabrunhado

Que o implacável destino há castigado

Tão tenaz, tão sem pausa, nem fadiga,

Que dos seus cantos usuais

Só lhe ficou, na amarga e última cantiga,

Esse estribilho: "Nunca mais."

Segunda vez, nesse momento,

Sorriu-me o triste pensamento;

Vou sentar-me defronte ao Corvo magro e rudo;

E mergulhando no veludo

Da poltrona que eu mesmo ali trouxera

Achar procuro a lúgubre quimera.

A alma, o sentido, o pávido segredo

Daquelas sílabas fatais,

Entender o que quis dizer a ave do medo

Grasnando a frase: "Nunca mais."

Assim, posto, devaneando,

Meditando, conjecturando,

Não lhe falava mais; mas se lhe não falava,

Sentia o olhar que me abrasava,

Conjecturando fui, tranqüilo, a gosto,

Com a cabeça no macio encosto,

Onde os raios da lâmpada caiam,

Onde as tranças angelicais

De outra cabeça outrora ali se desparziam,

E agora não se esparzem mais.

Supus então que o ar, mais denso,

Todo se enchia de um incenso.

Obra de serafins que, pelo chão roçando

Do quarto, estavam meneando

Um ligeiro turíbulo invisível;

E eu exclamei então: "Um Deus sensível

Manda repouso à dor que te devora

Destas saudades imortais.

Eia, esquece, eia, olvida essa extinta Lenora."

E o Corvo disse: "Nunca mais."

"Profeta, ou o que quer que sejas!

Ave ou demônio que negrejas!

Profeta sempre, escuta: Ou venhas tu do inferno

Onde reside o mal eterno,

Ou simplesmente náufrago escapado

Venhas do temporal que te há lançado

Nesta casa onde o Horror, o Horror profundo

Tem os seus lares triunfais,

Dize-me: "Existe acaso um bálsamo no mundo?"

E o Corvo disse: "Nunca mais."

"Profeta, ou o que quer que sejas!

Ave ou demônio que negrejas!

Profeta sempre, escuta, atende, escuta, atende!

Por esse céu que além se estende,

Pelo Deus que ambos adoramos, fala,

Dize a esta alma se é dado inda escutá-la

No Éden celeste a virgem que ela chora

Nestes retiros sepulcrais.

Essa que ora nos céus anjos chamam Lenora!"

E o Corvo disse: "Nunca mais."

"Ave ou demônio que negrejas!

Profeta, ou o que quer que sejas!

Cessa, ai, cessa!, clamei, levantando-me, cessa!

Regressa ao temporal, regressa

À tua noite, deixa-me comigo.

Vai-te, não fica no meu casto abrigo

Pluma que lembre essa mentira tua,

Tira-me ao peito essas fatais

Garras que abrindo vão a minha dor já crua."

E o Corvo disse: "Nunca mais."

E o Corvo aí fica; ei-lo trepado

No branco mármore lavrado

Da antiga Palas; ei-lo imutável, ferrenho.

Parece, ao ver-lhe o duro cenho,

Um demônio sonhando. A luz caída

Do lampião sobre a ave aborrecida

No chão espraia a triste sombra; e fora

Daquelas linhas funerais

Que flutuam no chão, a minha alma que chora

Não sai mais, nunca, nunca mais!

[runwayrunway]

No. 24 - Icelandair's Special Liveries

Congratulations to Icelandair's Hekla Aurora livery for being my first multi-request. And for a special livery, no less!

So, as a quick supplement to my main Icelandair post, I'm going to discuss the airline's three special liveries (excluding those which are crossovers with other brands). They've even been kind enough to provide a page for each, describing their various inspirations and how they relate to Icelandic identity.

Þingvellir

I'm starting with Þingvellir. Painted on a Boeing 757-300 registered TF-ISX, this livery was released in 2018 to celebrate 100 years of Icelandic independence and also something involving football, which in a very classic moment are treated as being equivalent in weight. I think Iceland may have won at the football? If you are aware of the context of the football, please don't tell me. I don't care about football.

Her colors are drawn from the Icelandic flag. It's really incredible how many flags out there manage to be red, white, and blue. It's honestly a kindness on Icelandair's part to not have those colors dominate their livery to begin with because it's incredibly saturated with flag carriers. (Red, white, and green are another similarly done-to-death scheme.)

Although I think the actual cross-shape of the flag could have been used to some decent effect, I have no real problem with where we ended up. I think this is recognizable as the Icelandic flag and visually pleasing. The first time I saw this I thought it was a heritage livery, because I didn't know off the top of my head what Icelandair's old liveries actually looked like. I think if they'd done this back in the day they would have been the talk of the tarmac.

Looking at it from the right angle, though, I can't deny that when you add in the glossy modern look of the Icelandair logo and the yellow nacelles it does sort of look like a football jersey somehow. Unsure if this is intentional, but all in all I just think this looks nice and I genuinely think if you did something about the yellow this would be a better standard livery for Icelandair than most airlines have. It's quite unique, as far as what's flying today.

Grade: C+

A few notes to close out: first, 'Þingvellir' is the name of the aircraft. Icelandair names all their planes after features of Icelandic nature, and Þingvellir is a national park known for being the site of parliamentary sessions. 'Þ' is pronounced roughly like 'th' in English.

Second, you may notice a distinct...how do I put this? Longness about her. This is because

('normal girl' here means 'narrow-body airliner'). image by @lobstersinmyhouse.

and I really like that.

Vatnajökull

Vatnajökull is a slightly less long but still delightful normal girl, a Boeing 757-200 with the registration TF-FIR. Icelandair bills her as the world's first flying glacier. I don't think there was much of a risk of anyone else getting that record, but she...sure is!

Vatnajökull is a fairly self-explanatory livery. It's an incredibly detailed glacier scene, representative of the very landmass for which the airplane is named. From Icelandair's website:

Even if you have lived in Iceland your whole life, the wonders of Vatnajökull never cease to amaze and enthrall. The largest glacier in Europe tumbles down the highest mountain ridge in Iceland, creating tremendous icefalls just above the southeast part of Route 1. The ice giant covers 8% of Iceland and is up to 1000 meters (3280 feet) thick. That equals 30 meters of ice evenly spread over all of Iceland – but we are in fact quite happy to keep it where it is. The Icelandic climate can be challenging enough without adding dozens of meters of ice on top of us.

It's actually somewhat difficult to find much more to say about her. This is just a very pretty glacial landscape drawn onto an airplane, and I think it looks very very nice.

This paint job is undeniably both pretty and impressive. I do sort of wish the tail and engines had been integrated as well, but what we got is more than alright.

Vatnajökull also features a glacier-themed interior, including glacier-themed headrests and drinks carts and, of course, some lovely blue mood lighting. The whole package makes me want to go potholing in a glacier very badly. They've definitely put a lot of effort into making the world's first flying glacier, and they've succeeded in that.

Grade: B

Hekla Aurora

It was very hard to choose pictures of this plane to include in this post. Hekla Aurora is stunning. She looks dramatically different depending on the lighting, but no matter which angle she's seen from she looks gorgeous and vivid.

Hekla Aurora is named for the active volcano Hekla and the aurora borealis, two noteworthy features of Iceland's unique natural environment. Obviously, though, she leans a bit towards the latter part of the name. The plane even comes with special interior mood lighting like Vatnajökull.

This looks so nice. It's even more striking than the simple blue Vatnajökull has. I want to fall asleep on this plane more than anything else in the world.

This plane is basically Icelandair's flagship. I swear this is one of the best-known planes flying right now. And she deserves every bit of it. This is a uniquely beautiful paint job and I am severely envious of anyone who has ever been able to fly on her.

I do, again, wish more had been done with the engines and the tail, but it's really hard to say anything about Hekla Aurora because this is just as much of an art piece as it is an airplane livery.

I have it as an active goal of mine to see her in person, even if from a distance, while she's still in service.

Grade: A

Unfortunately, this request was timely in the worst possible way. On the 7th of July, Icelandair announced their intention to acquire between 13 and 25 Airbus A321XLR airplanes. This is an interesting move from an airline which has up until now exclusively operated Boeing aircraft, but Boeing's refusal to actually build a 757 successor is a separate conversation. What's important to note is that Icelandair's special 757s are getting on in years. Hekla Aurora is nearly 30 years old. While far from derelict, that's definitely around the point most major airlines will begin to retire their planes. The confirmation of Icelandair's intentions to acquire a replacement model just makes it even clearer.

There is time to talk about what Icelandair will do going forward, what new special liveries they'll make. It's clear that all their existing ones are born from an appreciation for Iceland, and I'm sure they won't stop just because their planes are going to look a little different ten years from now. But It feels like an important time to voice my appreciation for TF-FIU, who has been bringing the northern lights everywhere Icelandair flies for nearly 10 years, even as those years finally begin to wind down.