Ice-olated - Part III
Our third and final installment of photos from our Icelandic road trip. Such a fairy tale!
On the road again heading up the west coast of Iceland.
As we made our way to the north, we spent a day exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The area is very geologically diverse with glaciers, volcanoes, caves, and waterfalls, along with small fishing villages dotting the rocky coastline. It is often referred to as a mini-Iceland because of how much the area has to offer.
We started our day with a tour of the Vatnshellir lava cave created by a volcanic eruption 8,000 years ago.
Our pre-cave briefing with our hilarious guide.
Down under.
The cave reaches 115 feet underground, and the lava tube is 650 feet long.
Getting a lesson on how the cave was formed and some of the unique characteristics of a cave created by boiling lava.
Walking further into the lava tube.
Descending another metal staircase, taking us to 115 feet below the surface.
Here we turned off our flashlights and listened to the silence in the cave in total darkness. It was a really cool experience. Luckily no bats live inside the cave!
Back in the light of day, we followed the coastline down the peninsula.
Rock formations on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
We stayed overnight in Hellnar, a small fishing village with a really cute hotel. In the morning, we did the famous walk along the coast from Hellnar to nearby Arnarstapi.
Greeted by a seal on our way to Arnarstapi.
Leading us in some morning yoga.
The path from Hellnar to Arnarstapi.
Hellnar-Arnarstapi coastline.
When we reached Arnarstapi, we came across this larger-than-life statue of a settler named Bard from the medieval period. According to legend, Bard was part human, part giant and part troll. He is now considered to be a guardian of spirits.
We were sad to leave the Snaefellnes area, as it was incredibly beautiful and peaceful. However the drive further east proved to be just as stunning at the rest of Iceland, and of course, the road was all ours.
Well...almost all ours.
I had never seen clouds formed like this. They looked like giant UFOs.
Not far from the main highway, we stopped at Dalir, the supposed home of Erik the Red, father of Leif Ericson. On the site, there is a rough turf house reconstruction, probably very similar to Erik's actual home.
Dalir, where Erik the Red is thought to have lived.
Near Dalir we came across some cheeky sheep who thought it would be funny to moon us!
We stopped at Borgarviki, a fortress dating back to the 10th century. We were able to climb among the ruins and had the whole place to ourselves! The 360 degree views were gorgeous.
Borgarviki, fortress ruins dating back over 1,000 years.
Posing on top of Borgarviki, trying not to get blown away by the wind!
No joke, this was the road to and from Borgarviki.
As we drove further east along Ring Road, we continued to come across the beauty of Iceland.
Stunning countryside in northern Iceland.
A man, his dog, his horse, and his flock.
Our final night on the Ring Road was spent in Akureyri, Iceland's capital of the north and second largest city. There is not much to do in Akureyri besides eat at the northernmost Domino's in the world (of course we did), however it is a great jumping off point for sightseeing in the north.
Akureyri, Iceland's second capital.
Stoplights in Akureyri.
On our way to check out some of the sights in the Akureyri area...
Our first stop was to see Godafoss - "The Waterfall of the Gods".
Godafoss - "The Waterfall of the Gods"
Godafoss - "The Waterfall of the Gods"
Next was Lake Myvatn, one of Iceland's main attractions in the north.
Lake Myvatn.
Not able to continue further east due to the erupting volcano, we headed back to Akureyri for the night before returning to Reykjavik.
Ring Road drive back to Akureyri.
Little house on the prairie.
Not sure if you can spot the small house nestled in the foothills - such a unique place to live!
One of my favorite views during our entire trip.
Back in Akureyri, we stopped for some fresh homemade ice cream at Holtsel Dairy Farm.
Yum!
The next morning, we packed up to head to Reykjavik for a few days before leaving for New York. Not expecting to be wowed by the scenery as we had already seen this part of the country, we were surprised by how blue skies and a different angle changed everything.
Icelandic horses drinking from a stream.
A rainbow!
Taking full advantage of the open road...
It was only fitting that we would see this towards the end of our road trip!
Once we arrived in Reykjavik, we dropped off our bags and spent the next two days checking out Iceland's capital (and the northernmost capital in the world)!
Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik.
Solfar, or Sun Voyager, a sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnarson. The sculpture represents the promise of undiscovered territory and the dream of hope and freedom.
We stopped for lunch at Icelandic Fish & Chips. Icelandic people eat A LOT of fish. This was a great casual place right near the water.
The batter was amazing, and we loved the variety of dipping sauces.
A giant sign in the main square for Reykjavik's Penis Museum.
Feeling a little dirty, we headed to church.
Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland's largest church.
Inside Hallgrimskirkja.
We stopped for ice cream again when we needed a little snack. Iceland is known for its ice cream. Not really.
We had no idea what the flavors were...Blai Engillinn anyone?
On our last night, we went out to Lebowski Bar on trendy Laugavegur Street. The inside is designed like a 50's diner and they play 80's music every night. It was so much fun!
Lebowski's on Laugavegur.
"If you are racist, sexist, homophobic, or an asshole, don't come in."
Dancing the night away at Lebowski Bar. The girl in the red dress was INSANE. She literally didn't stop dancing for five straight hours. And not normal dancing, she was spinning like crazy and flying all over the dance floor (I think it is safe to say that drugs were involved).
Party on Reykjavik.
THE END.