Foto: Sulfur vents emerge from the ground (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Iceland - We first drive past the half-frozen Lake Mývatn to the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. Due to snow and ice, the trail is too treacherous to walk with the entire group, so we can’t visit the lava tunnels. From a viewpoint, we get an explanation about the lava fields and nearby Hverfjall crater. Back on the bus, we take a narrow road to a rift between the tectonic plates. There’s a small underground pool. It used to be comfortably warm at around 35°C and was popular for bathing. But after recent earthquakes, the temperature has risen to over 50°C—not ideal anymore. We take photos at the tectonic divide, standing with one foot on each continent. When else can you say you’ve been in both Europe and America at the same time? Later, we visit the Námafjall geysers, where hot springs bubble to the surface. The sun disappears behind the mountains, and it gets quite chilly around the vents. Still, the hot springs are a unique sight. Unfortunately, they come with a pungent sulfur smell—thankfully, it doesn’t show up in the photos (though we still notice it back on the bus). On the way back, we pass the Mývatn Nature Baths. We stop to check whether we want to return later this week for a swim. It’s also a chance to clean our muddy shoes—though that may not have been the intended use of the bath.
Colorful Landmannalaugar
Iceland - Landmannalaugar is an area of vast lava fields and hot springs. Minerals give the rhyolite mountains spectacular colors. Even from the bus, we can see the colorful mountains. The clouds have cleared in the interior, and it’s sunny when we step out of ...
Dettifoss and Selfoss
Iceland - Via the northern side of the Tjörnes Peninsula, where Húsavík is located, we drive to the Dettifoss waterfall. At the Mánárbakki campground, we reach the northernmost point of our journey—just 25 km from the Arctic Circle. Iceland’s mainland ...
Gullfoss Waterfall
Iceland - A few minutes later, we drive on to the Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most famous. The impressive Gullfoss waterfall drops the water of the Ölfusá River in two stages. From the viewing platform, we see the waterfall nestled in the valley. A ...
Mount Kirkjufell
Iceland - We had planned to get a drink in Ólafsvík, but we find no cafés or restaurants open. We walk through the town: the modern church, the sports field, and the harbor. There isn’t much more to see. Fewer than 1,000 people live here. Iceland’s population ...
The Blue Lagoon
Iceland - The Blue Lagoon is an artificial lake nestled among moss-covered lava fields. It’s actually a by-product of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The water temperature is 39°C and is rich in minerals, silicates, and blue-green algae, which give the ...
The Fjarargljufur Canyon
Iceland - Just past Kirkjubæjarklaustur lies the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a beautifully carved gorge. Until recently, it was relatively unknown—until Justin Bieber filmed a music video here. Since then, not only Bieber fans but also most travel guides mention ...
The ingvellir parliamentary plain of Iceland
Iceland - Thingvellir, also known as the Parliament Plains, is a fascinating lava field located at the rift between the European and American tectonic plates. This rugged terrain served as a meeting place for chieftains, who gathered here in the year 930 to discuss ...
The Jokulsarlon glacier lake
Iceland - In the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, numerous icebergs float until they melt enough to drift out to sea. Some are larger than a house. It’s hard to believe only a tenth of each iceberg is visible above water. The clear water is ideal for fish, and ...
The Strokkur and Geysir geysers
Iceland - By bus, we head further into Iceland’s Golden Circle—the trio of must-see sights for any tourist: Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser, and Thingvellir National Park. First, we visit the waterfall. Along the way, we already pass the geysers. Gullfoss ...
Whale watching at Husavik
Iceland - At 8:30 a.m., we walk to the harbor for a whale-watching tour. We board the Náttfari, a former fishing vessel now fitted with benches. Masks are mandatory onboard due to Icelandic law, as social distancing isn’t possible, explains our guide, Laugey. ...