We have been driving the Ring Road for a few days now , and we have been most impressed with all the information we received from our tour company. The detailed maps have been great, with loads of information on all the places to visit, including places to stop for homemade ice cream which we are enjoying! Given the changeable weather conditions in Iceland we have been given an emergency phone and a wi fi hot spot, (we hope we do not need to use either of them!).

We left Sel Guesthouse to begin Day 3 of our Iceland Adventure. Our guide book called the day “Waterfalls and Volcanic Beaches” , and that’s exactly what the day was!

We started in drizzly rain and sat in the car at Kerio , and waited for the rain to stop.

 

Kerio is a 3000 year old 55 metre deep crater. It reminded us of the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier!

 

 

 

Although it continued to drizzle , the cliffs and the mountains were amazing.

Our next stop was at the magnificent Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most visited waterfalls. We could tell by the number of cars in the car park when we arrived!

The water plummets 40 metres over a cliff face , and the shape of the cliff enables you to walk behind the waterfall.

 

 

 

Of course Greg decided that would be a good idea however we did get a tad wet but it was worth it!

 

 

 

 

We drove past the Eyjafjallajokul Volcano (try to get your mouth around that one). That was the volcano that erupted in 2010 and caused a huge amount of flight delays. Fortunately for us there was no smoke coming from the top!

There are always things to see along the road, besides waterfalls, like the cute little shepherd huts that are built into the mountain side. All along the road side you get the vista of beautiful purple Alaskan lupins.

 

Next stop was Skogafoss, a 60 metre high waterfall and very picturesque.

By this time the sun had started to shine a little….hallelujah….and we were beginning to see quite a few glaciers with many more to follow!

The Myradlsjokull (the 4th largest glacier in Iceland and with an average thickness of 230 metres ) was pretty stunning , and surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Then we arrived at the most southerly point of Iceland, Dyrholaey and Reynisfjara , the only land south of this area is Antarctica!

 

Dyrholaey is an imposing cliff jutting out over the sea with a distinct hole bored through it from the force of the sea. Legend has it that the sea stacks in the water are petrified trolls that were caught outdoors during sunrise! Believe it or not!

 

Reynisfjara is the “most famous beach in all of Iceland”. It was amazing to see the black volcanic sand and the unique rock formations.

 

 

The sea cave and cliffs were amazing , resembling organ pipes.

 

The towns outside Reykjavik are quite small and the accommodation were are staying in along the Ring Road are quite isolated however they all have their own restaurants. The only trouble is they know how to charge!!!!!

It was a fantastic day with loads of stunning scenery!

Our next day was “Glaciers and Icebergs” and we were hoping for a “half decent” day weather-wise! We woke to another drizzly morning , but the weather did improve for us!

Our first stop was Dverghamrar , (Dwarf Cliffs) It is a small canyon of unusual hexagonal columns. According to Icelandic legend, dwarves live in the cliffs, hence the name.

 

 

We then continued to Skaftafell , Iceland’s largest National Park. We walked to the base of the Skaftafellsjokull Glacier. It was amazing.

 

Driving along the road , it was glacier after glacier as well as tons of waterfalls cascading down the mountains.

Next stop was the Fjallsarlon Glacier Lake. There were not a lot of tourists here , so it was a very peaceful pleasant stop.

The Vatnajokull glacier here comes from Oraefajokull , Iceland’s largest active volcano, but luckily for us, again there was no activity!

We hope you are enjoying trying to pronounce all these names, as we have given up! The only Icelandic word we know is “Takk” , which is thank you. Apparently the Icelanders do not say please!

 

We then continued onto the more popular Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and Greg was in “photographers heaven”. WARNING……heaps of photos to follow!

This place is regarded as one of Iceland’s greatest natural wonders and we know why! The colours of the icebergs were amazing and even though Greg tried really hard, the photos still do not it justice!

 

Just a few more to come! Then they are finished! These were only a few that Greg took!

Here you can see the contrasts of the colours , whites, blues and black! Amazing!

The icebergs end their journey to the sea and the remains of some sit on the black sand of the beach! There was one in particular that caught our eye! Can you see a fish????

 

 

We decided not to eat dinner at our accommodation , but we drove about 20 kms into the small town of Hofn and enjoyed a great meal of baked ling in a cream cheese sauce and a delicious licorice……yes licorice…….creme brulee and it was sensational!

 

Another fantastic day, full of wonderful scenery and we were blessed that the weather held up for us in the afternoon for the glacial lagoons!

The credit card is getting a work out here, (sorry kids!) as its very expensive! To give you an example, coffees are now averaging about $8 and a main course , as above, about $60 , with desserts about $20. We thought Norway was expensive! But one must eat!

We have now traveled the Southern and Eastern side of Iceland , so the next blog will cover the North and Western side!

Although we probably cant afford it..it is that time again!

Love Rhonda and Greg

xxx