ICELAND SUMMARY

Day 1 - We arrived at the airport in Keflavik and caught a bus to Reykjavik. After checking into a guesthouse, we wandered about town... in the wind, rain and cold (which was to be a big theme of the trip).

Day 2 - We picked up our rental car (Opel Corsa) and set out across spectacular landscape. Our first stop was Thingvellir, where the tectonic plates of Europe and North America meet. It's also the site of the country's first parliament. We then drove to the geothermal area of Haukadalur, There were many hot pools and geysers (including Strokkur and the Great Geysir). Next was Gullfoss with it's two sets of impressive falls.

Day 3 - We packed up the tent and headed off early. Keridth was a crater lake with lovely emerald water. Next was Seljandsfoss, with a super slippery path that led behind the falls. We got a view of Markarfljot (a glacial river) then continued to Skogafoss. We hiked to the top then continued on to sume cascades. At Solheimajokull (a glacier tongue of Myrdalsjokull), we walked alongside the massive piece of ice. We stopped briefly at Dyrholaey (the southernmost tip of Iceland) with its impressive black sand beach and basalt cliffs. We drove to Vik and got a view of the tall pillars known as Reynisdrander. We set up the tent in the tiny village of Kerkjubaejarklauster.

Day 4 - Our first sites of the day were the basalt columns of Kirkjogolf and the dwarf cliffs of Dverghamrar. In the tiny village of Nupsstadthur we visited a 17th century turf church, where most of the building was made with chunks of sod. We continued our journey to Thjodthgardthur Skaftafell National Park, where we walked on top of the glacier. We took another path past the waterfalls of Hondafoss and Magnusarfoss to the incredible Svartifoss, where water fell off basalt cliffs. Our drive then took us past many glaciers pouring from the mountains as we headed to Jokulsarlon (the glacier lagoon) where the 12-mile wide glacier Breidhtamerkurjokull slides into the sea. More spectacular views accompanied our drive to Hofn.

Day 5 - We took a tour bus up to Vatnajokull and rode about the massive glacier on skidoos. A guide took us past different formations such as 'dead ice' caverns. It was raining again for the bus ride back down. We stopped briefly at Stokksnes, known for its seals and birds, but they had all left for the season. We continued our drive up the eastern part of the island, past fjords, cliffs and barren mountain passes. Eventually we arrived at the tiny city of Fellabaer where we camped.

Day 6 - After passing by Lagarfljot (Iceland's third largest lake), we headed inland and the landscape became quite barren. We had a spectacular hike up the waterfall-filled-canyon at Dettifoss, which ended in Selfoss. The wind was brutal! At an overlook at Hafragilsfoss, Ron got knocked unconscious as the wind caught the car door. We then got stuck in the sand on a 4-wheel drive road. But eventually we made our way to the Myvatn area, famous for volcanic and geothermal activity. We visited Grotjagja (a small cave with a hot pool), Namaskard Hverir (with lots of steam vents and bubbling mudpots) and Viti (a lake-filled crater). Nearby were the florescent blue pools of Leirhnjukur and the exploded Krafla volcano crater.

Day 7 - At Dimmuborgir, we explored a valley filled with strange lava formations. We drove north to Husavik and Tjornes... but boat trips had been cancelled because of the weather and the puffins had all left. So we tried Asbyrgi (the largest canyon in Europe) in spite of the heavy winds and rain. Our next stop was Hljodaklettar, where the enormous cores of old volcanos had been left behind after the Jokulsa River washed away all loose material. We returned to the sulfur fields of Namaskard Hverir, hoping to experience it in less. wind.

Day 8 - We took another trip to Viti, but this time walked down to the water. We also revisited Grotjagja. We then drove around the large Myvatn lake. We left the area and headed north to massive falls of Godthafoss. We tried Husavik once again and this time the whale-watching tour was running. Unfortunately we only saw one Minke whale but it was an exciting experience anyway. We drove down to Akureyri and camped.

Day 9 - In the morning we visited Lystigardurinn (the northernmost botanical garden in the world). We then drove west, stopping at the Glaumbaer folk museum, with several turf houses. Near Varmahlidth, we took an excursion on Icelandic horses. We were told it was fine for beginners... but they didn't mean MY level of beginner. We road across the landscape... including river crossings and steep ridges. After three hours, we reached the waterfall of Reykjafoss. We were within sight of the farm when several of the horses reared up and I was tossed onto my back. I was quite sore that night!

Day 10 - For our final day, we started off with Grabok, a large crater. We then visited the absolutely stunning At Hraunfossar, where water flowed directly out of a lava rock cliff. We swung by Deildartunguhver (Europe's largest hot spring), the geothermal area of Krysuvik, and the famous Blue Lagoon. We set up our tent at Keflavik so we could catch our early morning flight.