140531 Akureyri to Breiðdalsvík

ISLAND 2014-05-28--06-04

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© NF Photos 140531

 140531 Saturday, Akureyri to Breiðdalsvík

Dep at 9.00h.

Woke up at 630.  Packed my stuff and had breakfast. Coming outside the hotel it is raining. Not fun as there were a lot on the agenda. This is a day when we really should have started of earlier.

We made a short stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Eyjafjördur, with lots of eiders, and Akureyri before we headed east leaving for our first stop, Godafoss.

We were lucky as the rain stopped when we left the bus to take a walk passing the waterfall to the other side. It was a nice walk and the waterfall is a beauty. Could have been much better in sunshine though. 

Next stop was the black lava, volcanic area that erupted 2000 years ago. Dimmuborgir! Very unusual in shape. And for that we almost run through half the area. Time for coffee again.   As usual I stayed on the path for some more shots.

 

We continued to Myvatn and a place where there was supposed to be lots of birds. But it was a little disappointing. Very beautiful to walk in the midst of Icelandic Birch to the water but not that much birds. Despite the huge amount of flies. But there was some action on the lake. Icelandic Golden eye had some fun.

 

And now, lunch! A late one! At Jardbodin Nature Bath.  Apart from lunch and souvenirs there was also a possibility to take a swim in the hot water pool.

 

Last stop in the north was Dettiforss. Here we had to hike for a km in rough terrain and very wet too due to melting snow and rain.  But it was worth it.

From now on we drove eastward and south. A long drive over Iceland's highland desert. No stop here. I only took shots from the bus.

When we spotted the sandstorm we were quite happy sitting in the bus. It was shaky enough with the strong wind.

 Dimmifjallgarður location for the sandstorm.

There was one farm,  Mödrudalur, on the highland north of Vatnajokull glacier . With a coffee shop of course. And this time I had a cup and a bun that was very tasty.

We were told it was only one farm. But they has a small Turf house Museum, an old gas station and a church. :) Not bad!

From now on there was mostly highland, waterfalls and snow everywhere. We had a stop in a city for filling up the bus. The further south we came it started to get foggy and rainy. That seemed to be common in that area. Making people work in the south but live up north where the sun shone. .

We arrived at the hotel when it was almost 20.00h and had our dinner as soon as possible. The room was  a nice mountain woody style. I liked it.

Hotel Blafell in Breiðdalsvík

Road to Namaskard

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140530 Whale Watching at Husavik and volcanic activity Krafla

ISLAND 2014-05-28--06-04
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© NF Photos 140530

140530 Friday  Whale Watching at Husavik and a bit more.

Woke up at 6.30. Made myself ready for the day and had breakfast. Better be ready for cold and windy weather on teh sea I so dressed for that. I had tiem for a short morning walk as well. Iceland is very rich in artwork and sagas. You find it everywhere. This is a nice statue close to the harbour.

We left at 8.30 We headed north to go to Husavik for our trip to watch wales. On route Jon guided us on history events on that road. We arrived to Husavik on time to embarked the boat. This time our guide did not get any coffee break. :) But he did not go on the boat so I bet he had some coffee after all.

We headed out at 10 for a three h trip. First thing I saw was Gannets. Happy me. I love them. It was a nice day with very calm ´wind. Nobody got seasick I believe. The only backdraw was that there was rather much people and it got very crowded when everybody stayed at the same side trying to watch the dolphins and whales and puffins. I can´t say I saw many whales, but I did see a few fins.  Whales or dolphins? How can I tell them apart?

 

To finish off the tour we were offered a cup of chockolate and a bun.

Back at 13.00 to Husavik and people started to have lunch. As I had a little in my backpack to eat on the bus I took a walk instead.

We continued our trip at 13.45 heading south towards Krafla and Myvatn. On the way we made a short stop at another turfhouse. Not as impressive as the one yesterday. But still nice. 14.30 a photostop over the valley

Then KraflaCaldera. There was still snow at the rim of the volcano caldera so we had to walk the last part to the rim in thawing snow. It was very beautiful to see.

 

VitiCrater/Námaskarð was the next stop. A marvellous place IMO. Loved it, I could have stayed there all day long.  It is me beside one of the fumerols. :)

But, as usual, the guide wanted a:

Coffee break
so we had to leave that lovely place. :(




Well, true to my habit I spent the coffee breake in a different way. If you look carefully on the dark horse you can see the proof that we were in Myvatn area. Lots of flying critters in the air.

It was getting late so instead of birding at Myvatn north shore we drowe back to Akureyri. Route 87 and 848. Did see the Godafoss waterfall from a distance.  After a short round tour in Danich part of Akureyri he let us off at a Botanic Garden, Lystigardur Akureyrar, to walk the last part to the Hotel KEA and late dinner.
 

Dinner at 19.30  Finish the day with the usual shower and photo work.

Well, before I finish, I got to give you some fins, don´t I?

Namaskard overview

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140529 Reykjavik to Akureyri

ISLAND 2014-05-28--06-04
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© NF Photos 140529

140529 Thursday

Departure at 9.00h

Slept well but woke up once during early morning. Then I woke at 6.30. Breakfast at 8.

When we left we headed up north following ringroad 1. Weather rather good but with occasional short showers. Ole, our guide, is constantly talking. Guiding us both in “skandinavian” and English. A young couple from Singapore joined the group this morning.

We followed R1 except for a few detours to places Jon liked and wanted us to see. First was the Hvalfjordur tunnel of course, a famous one almost 6 km long.  Ole also told us about the work to make more plants grow on the island, one I remember from last time was the Alaskan Lupin. They were growing all over the place this time. Hopefully creating soil. In a way we were lucky this day, showers when we drowe and sun when we were out looking for something.

At Borganäs we visited a small garden with a Saga attached to it. This stonepillar in chains was at the entrance. Everything in Iceland seem to have a Saga attached to it. So had this one. After that we turned back a short distance and made  a short stop to check out if a White tailed eagle was sitting on a nest close to the water. Well, I did not see it.

Then it was time for a coffee break at Vennis. The guide seems to love coffee. I did not take any but instead I managed to photograph a beautiful Red wing. From that location I noted an interesting mountain top that looked like a pyramid. It seems to be some kind of volcanic feature. Probably with a hole inside it.

Next stop was at a hot water plant,Orkuveita Reykjavikur . A natural source for hot water to the villages and towns. And a beautiful place for tourists. I have an image on the photo blog from it HERE. I think I saw a lark at that location.

Then it was lunchtime and I, again, birded. Saw what I think was a common snipe. A lifer for me.

Now it was a longer drive to the northern district. We made a detour to a waterfall, Kolugljufur gorge. Very beautiful. Image at the bottom of post.

Next was the museum of Glaumbaer farm, The turf farmhouse. Very interesting buildings made of turf. Old style. I might need to do a post only for that place. I really loved the layout of the building. All in one really.

Lastly we made a stop at a scenic location. Some pointy mountaintops as opposite the flat ones we seen that far.

We arrived at hotel KEA around 18.30. Dinner at 19.30 without our guide. I took a shower before dinner. And glad I did it as dinner took a little longer then 2h.

Going through today's images and writing diary. Now it is time for bed.

The people in the group seem nice most of them. Especially two Norwegian women.

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2014-05-28 To Iceland

ISLAND 2014-05-28--06-04
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© NF Photos 140528

140528 Wednesday

Woke up at 6, Finished packing and blogging before I left at 8.

There was not that much traffic problems as I had feared so the drive was rather easy. Except for Stockholm of course. There is always traffic jam due to building new roads, buildings and what ever they build. In winter there is trouble due to snow and ice. In summer the problem is road work.

The drive took 3h so I had rather plenty of time arriving at Arlanda parking lot. Took the bus from the parking lot and was checked in at 11.30.

I spent the next two h window shopping at the taxfree and other shops.

The plane headed out more or less due to plan. Only a few minutes late. I was in the last row of seats and had a window seat. That was a great thing when we passed over Norway. Snow still on the mountaintops creating beautiful patterns when they were visible through the clouds.

Over the Atlantic there was mostly white clouds. They did not lift until we were halfway over Iceland with only 45 min to landing. I could see rather much snow throw the clouds.

 
We landed nicely at the airport 14,30 local time. 2h difference in time. Flying in that direction give you very long days.  

I got my bag and found my party. And off we went to The Blue Lagoon. First thing to do when arriving in Iceland…getting a swim in the Blue Lagoon. It is a great place, warm and cosy and I think everyone should have the opportunity to try it. More images HERE

At 18.15 we left to go to our hotel for the night in Reykjavik. I went to a local supermarket to get some soda to drink and something to eat. Then I went out to find a dam I´ve seen close to the hotel. Found it and there were quite many birds. Mostly mallards and gulls and a few other ducks as well.



Outside the hotel was an other kind of entertainment going on. Some kids skating in the square.

Been checking the blogs and was surprised because there was more comments then expected. And letting people know I´m OK.

It is only 22.20 but I am tired as my body says it it 0.20h. So, now I´m off to bed.

 I want to finish this post with an image of a couple trying to get a wedding photo on the lagoon outside the Blue Lagoon. Did not seem to be that easy and the bride seemed to be very cold. Borrowing a jacket for a while. And it was very chilly. They seem to be located in another world with rugged surroundings.

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140528 Blue Lagoon

ISLAND 2014-05-28--06-04
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© NF Photos 140528 at Blue Lagoon

The first thing to do in Iceland is to visit the Blue Lagoon and take a swim.

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