From Hofn we travelled to Djupivogur and then to our last site at Seydisfjordur. Djupivogur is a little seaside town where cruise ships anchor in the fjord. Maggie and Mike organise a cheese and wine evening and it is warm and dry enough to sit outside!
We travel on to Seydisfjordur over a high scenic pass. We had been over it on our first day but it had been foggy and we had no idea how high and steep the pass was!
After the staff of Smyril had changed plans several times we eventually boarded the ferry. Two nights at sea, pass the Shetland Islands, and a farewell buffet before leaving the tour in Denmark 🇩🇰.
Friday, 7 July 2017
The South Coast
The next few days see us travel along the coast staying at Seljalandfoss, Skaftafell and Hofn.
In many ways, this was the most varied and, for me, the best part of Iceland 🇮🇸.
We took a ferry to Heimaey Island, one of the Vestmannaeyjar, a group of islands famous for two events. A volcanic eruption in the 1960s saw the birth of a new island, Sertsey. Then, in 1973, another eruption lead to the evacuation of the only inhabited island, Heimaey. Part of the town and harbour were covered by lava.
A puffin walking round a museum in Heimaey.
At Seljalandfoss we were able to walk behind a huge waterfall.
Skaftafell is the visitor centre for the National Park. The huge glacier, Eyjafljalljokull, covers the mountains and creep down the valleys to the sea.
Lagoons form at the end of the glacier and icebergs break off and float in the lagoons, some making it to the beach.
Some areas of the coast are huge deserts of gravel from old volcanic eruptions.
At Hofn we have a lovely meal in a seafood restaurant with Douglas and Jeananne from Inverness. And we get the bikes out!
In many ways, this was the most varied and, for me, the best part of Iceland 🇮🇸.
We took a ferry to Heimaey Island, one of the Vestmannaeyjar, a group of islands famous for two events. A volcanic eruption in the 1960s saw the birth of a new island, Sertsey. Then, in 1973, another eruption lead to the evacuation of the only inhabited island, Heimaey. Part of the town and harbour were covered by lava.
A puffin walking round a museum in Heimaey.
At Seljalandfoss we were able to walk behind a huge waterfall.
Skaftafell is the visitor centre for the National Park. The huge glacier, Eyjafljalljokull, covers the mountains and creep down the valleys to the sea.
Dressed to party!
Icebergs
Lagoons form at the end of the glacier and icebergs break off and float in the lagoons, some making it to the beach.
Some areas of the coast are huge deserts of gravel from old volcanic eruptions.
At Hofn we have a lovely meal in a seafood restaurant with Douglas and Jeananne from Inverness. And we get the bikes out!
Thursday, 6 July 2017
More on Selfoss and Beyond
After a day in Reykjavik we travel a few miles to Hveragerdi where the new visitor centre is built over the rift in the tectonic plates - glass flooring lets you see into the rift. There is also a simulation of an earthquake.
We take a walk round the town but get wet in the rain. After a soup buffet we travel out into the country to see a Viking farmhouse. Unfortunately when we get near we find that you need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get to it.
On the return to Selfoss we stop to walk round a historic village and go to a swimming pool where we get in for free (67 and over).
On our final day in Selfoss we do a tour of the peninsula, visiting seaside villages and geothermal plants and exhibitions.
We take a walk round the town but get wet in the rain. After a soup buffet we travel out into the country to see a Viking farmhouse. Unfortunately when we get near we find that you need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get to it.
On the return to Selfoss we stop to walk round a historic village and go to a swimming pool where we get in for free (67 and over).
On our final day in Selfoss we do a tour of the peninsula, visiting seaside villages and geothermal plants and exhibitions.
Monday, 3 July 2017
To Selfoss and beyond
The road to Selfoss takes us to Thingvellir the ancient site for law making and settling of disputes. It is at a huge lake and the rift between the American and Eurasion tectonic plates. Lots of walks and waterfalls.
We travel on to Geyser where there is a geyser, and then on to Gellfoss where there are two waterfalls almost at right angles. Very spectacular!
We travel in to Selfoss to the campsite.
On Monday we are taken to Reykjavik by coach. The guide is quite amusing on the bus but less informative when showing us round the old centre.
Eventually left to our own devices we head to a recommended restaurant and have a seafood buffet. Very good. We spend the afternoon going to the cathedral, the museum and a few shops. I resist the temptation to buy a handmade, salmon skin belt at about £150.
We travel on to Geyser where there is a geyser, and then on to Gellfoss where there are two waterfalls almost at right angles. Very spectacular!
We travel in to Selfoss to the campsite.
On Monday we are taken to Reykjavik by coach. The guide is quite amusing on the bus but less informative when showing us round the old centre.
Eventually left to our own devices we head to a recommended restaurant and have a seafood buffet. Very good. We spend the afternoon going to the cathedral, the museum and a few shops. I resist the temptation to buy a handmade, salmon skin belt at about £150.
The lake at Thingvellir
And a waterfall
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