Home Again
Wow! What a week it has been. A little rushed in places as there is just so much to explore, but I can definitely say Iceland did not disappoint. Exploring the north and eastern side of the island, there were breath-taking vistas of wide fjords surrounded by towering mountains, glaciers reaching out from the Vatnajökull National Park, to the barren, otherworldly lava fields and the beautiful, if cold, North Atlantic.
Starting Egilsstaðir, the first proper day took us on what was probably a 7 hour round road trip down the coast, passing through the eastern fjords before reaching the intended destination of the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. It was busy, but the spectacular views of icebergs in the water, glaciers and mountains in the distance made up for it. As did some very nice soup.
The second, third, and fourth days saw us travelling up the north-east coast where we got to see puffins - there are lots of birds in Iceland - and a traditional turf roofed house. One of the days saw us take a trip inland to visit the Dettifoss Water, reputedly the most powerful in Europe. It was an awe-inspiring site, set among a barren, rocky landscape. If there was ever a definition for raw power, this waterfall definitely is it.
The next day saw us travel along the north coast to Húsavík, where we took a schooner sailing boat out to see puffins and whales. There was a lot of puffins this time, all nesting on Lundey Island. We were told that it was a general Viking name for puffins, and hence explains why there is now an island in the Bristol Channel called Lundy as a result of viking invaders. We also fortunately got to see some Humpback whales at a slight distance - the picture below is best I could get.
On our penultimate day we travelled down to the Mývatn, a shallow lake surrounded by example of historic and current volcanic activity. It was here we got the chance to bathe in the powder-blue waters of Mývatn Nature Baths. Similar to the more well known Blue Lagoon near the Icelandic Capital, it was a very relaxing experience and one I would definitely do again. The sulphuric smell does take a little getting use to but wasn't that bad.
Our final day saw us rush back to the airport at Egilsstaðir for our flight back to the UK, which took a comfortable 2 hours 25 mins.
I can say that I would definitely return to Iceland again.
