Jun – Jul 2023

Iceland, 2023

A 11-day adventure by JHarwood & Greg Read more

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Trip start
June 29, 2023
Iceland, 2023
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- Day 1
- Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 8:38 AM
- 🌬 8 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Iceland Keflavík International Airport 63.998295, -22.63093863°59’54” N 22°37’51” W
Icelandic Welcome 🇮🇸
June 29, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌬 8 °C
You can’t really do Iceland properly without a hire car, so introducing our Iceland whip ‘TT’. Next stop the second highest waterfall in Iceland.
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 1
- Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 10:20 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- Iceland Ártúnsá 64.268188, -21.83396764°16’5” N 21°50’2” W
Attacking Birds!
June 29, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Well our first stop can only be described as dramatic! We decided to pull in to this beautiful waterfall, but fell into the trap of two very nasty birds that were trying to protect their eggs, it did lead to dive bombs and the four of us (grown men) dramatically shouting at each other saying “get in the car, get in the car” as two birds were diving at us!

Safe to say the Icelandic birds were not welcoming! But as Greg said “out of all of Iceland why did they choose the waterfall car park”Read more
Traveler😂😂
7/2/23Reply
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 1
- Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 10:57 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 95 m
- Iceland Hvalskarðsá 64.384492, -21.28086364°23’4” N 21°16’51” W
🥾 Glymur Waterfall Hike
June 29, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Next stop was a waterfall hike, it started out at the car park which was the end of a gravel road. As the hike went on the weather got steadily worse, and worse to the point were we literally couldn’t see anything. This led to us getting a little off the trail (just a little), and walking across a small waterfall. However, we kept going, and suddenly the fog cleared and we were met with the thunderous sound of the Glymur waterfall.

Sadly we didn’t get to see the tallest part, but none the less our perseverance paid off and we did get to the see the smaller sister of the main waterfall (seen in the pictures at the end).Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 1
- Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 3:45 PM
- ☁️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 68 m
- Iceland Rauðamelur 64.858978, -22.36781364°51’32” N 22°22’4” W
Gerðuberg Cliffs
June 29, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Next stop is the Gerðuberg Cliffs (yes your guess is as good as mine on how you pronounce this). These rocks reminded us of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, these hexagonal rocks were formed when lava flowed down the mountain and over this ridge.

If you’re wondering what the last photograph is, this is Greg trying to dry his socks as he‘s forgotten to pack waterproof shoes, or trousers.Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 1
- Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 5:15 PM
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- Iceland Lýsuhólslaug 64.841416, -23.21455264°50’29” N 23°12’52” W
Lýsulaugar Thermal Pool
June 29, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Final stop of the day is a geothermal pool which is filled with naturally hot mineral water, which was full of algae and various minerals, and was said to have a soothing and healing effect on the body!

After the long day on the road we felt this was the perfect and relaxing end to our day!Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 2
- Friday, June 30, 2023 at 9:55 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Iceland Kirkjufellsfoss 64.92627, -23.31040864°55’35” N 23°18’37” W
Kirkjufellsfoss
June 30, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Mt. Kirkjufell (463 m) is the mountain you can see in the photographs, it is the most prominent mountain in Grundarfjörður and the guide book said it is the most beautiful mountain on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with some even say the whole of Iceland! The name is church mountain as it is said to resemble a church.

The mountain is also in game of thrones and is called Arrowhead mountain beyond the wall and is the birthplace of the Night King (if you’ve seen it you’d know).

After seeing the mountain from afar we visited the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall (the first of three today). And then set off!Read more
TravelerLove these pictures.
6/30/23Reply
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 2
- Friday, June 30, 2023 at 10:24 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 73 m
- Iceland Búlandsgil 64.94593, -23.4913364°56’45” N 23°29’29” W
View point!
June 30, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Fantastic view out towards the Westfjords.
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 2
- Friday, June 30, 2023 at 11:22 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- Iceland Grundarfoss 64.916047, -23.21894764°54’58” N 23°13’8” W
🌊 Grudarfoss
June 30, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Next stop is another waterfall and this time it’s Grudarfoss, just a short walk (thankfully) from the car park to the waterfall. But the view when we got close was fantastic, to get a little closer we took the stepping stones other the river and then walked slightly more towards the waterfall and then came back.Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 2
- Friday, June 30, 2023 at 1:04 PM
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 26 m
- Iceland Skagafjarðarsýsla 65.476024, -19.2749465°28’34” N 19°16’30” W
Pictures from the road!
June 30, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 2
- Friday, June 30, 2023 at 1:57 PM
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 47 m
- Iceland Grábrókarhraun 64.755978, -21.54768964°45’22” N 21°32’52” W
Lunch with a view!
June 30, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Breaking up the drive across the northern part of Iceland with a spot of lunch with a view, we were going to stop at a viewpoint and then decided to make an impromptu stop here instead, and it was totally worth it!Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 2
- Friday, June 30, 2023 at 4:09 PM
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 80 m
- Iceland Húnavatnssýsla 65.331963, -20.56997265°19’55” N 20°34’12” W
🥾 Kolugljúfur Canyon
June 30, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Called a hidden gem this canyon and waterfall is little known on the main route around Iceland, but was certainly the most impressive thing we have seen so far, by a country mile! The canyon is around 40 metres deep and over 1KM long, filled with waterfalls, rapids and sheer drops.Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 9:38 AM
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- Iceland Oddeyri 65.680285, -18.09180665°40’49” N 18°5’31” W
Akureyri 🏙️
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Last night we stayed in Akureyri which is the second city of Iceland, with a population of a little over 18,000 it is about 1/3 the size of Wallasey.

We walked along the Eyjafjörður fjord, seeing plenty of wildlife and a cruise ship. Then ventured into the town to send postcards, soak up the atmosphere (it was VERY quiet), and then walked up to the church that overlooks the town.

Overall, it was a very small but picturesque town.Read more
TravelerLooks like a Seabourn ship
7/2/23Reply
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 11:13 AM
- 🌧 9 °C
- Altitude: 120 m
- Iceland Goðafoss 65.68356, -17.54098665°41’1” N 17°32’28” W
Goðafoss
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
After leaving Akureyri we drove 30 minutes east to get to Goðafoss waterfall, called in English the ‘Water of the Gods’. According to the Icelandic Saga’s in 1000AD it was here that the chief of the area threw is pagan gods into the waterfall and said that the whole of Iceland would be Christian.

The waterfall and surrounding fields is covered with lava which set over 8,000 years ago.Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 12:57 PM
- 🌧 10 °C
- Altitude: 263 m
- Iceland Fellshóll 65.586631, -17.13232865°35’12” N 17°7’56” W
Laxá í Aðaldal Viewpoint
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
Lunch in nature, quick pit stop on the short drive from the waterfall to the Lake *** part of Northern Iceland, we stopped off at Laxá í Aðaldal for lunch. It was a good chance to brush up on wildlife photography and thank goodness I packed my zoom lens! 😂😂Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 2:55 PM
- 🌧 10 °C
- Altitude: 311 m
- Iceland Bolir 65.591225, -16.91232965°35’28” N 16°54’44” W
Lava field Dimmuborgir
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
The Dimmuborgir lava field formed in an eruption that occurred in the area 2,300 years ago; the Lake Mývatn area is highly volcanic. As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, it became what you can see today, huge column of cooled lava!

Once again this area featured heavily in Games of Thrones and is steeped in Icelandic folklore, with (and I’m not lying) this being home to the Icelandic Yule Lads with names such as “sausage swiper”, “Window Peeper” and “Doorway Sniffer”.Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 3:58 PM
- 🌧 11 °C
- Altitude: 282 m
- Iceland Hverfjall 65.613274, -16.87577165°36’48” N 16°52’33” W
Hverfjall
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 4:22 PM
- ☁️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 344 m
- Iceland Hverarönd 65.639617, -16.80903365°38’23” N 16°48’33” W
Hverir: Geothermal Area
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Next stop today is Hverir, a large Geothermal area with bubbling water (at 200* you couldn’t get close). There was also large funnels (covered in rocks) where large amount of steam rose into the air! You should have felt how hot it was on your skin!

The only off putting thing was the high degree of sulphur in the air which made the whole place smell of eggs!Read more
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 3
- Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 7:46 PM
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 24 m
- Iceland Húsavíkurhöfði 66.052292, -17.361866°3’8” N 17°21’42” W
GeoSea Geothermal Seabath 🌊
July 1, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Ending the day with GeoSea thermal bath, powered by nature it was 100% heated from nature it sits on a cliff above Husavik and overlook the Skjálfandi Bay and the Article Circle to the north!
TravelerThats amazing, will add that on my list. Hoping to ho Iceland in the next few years.
7/2/23Reply
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 4
- Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 1:59 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Iceland Husavik 66.04612, -17.34356766°2’46” N 17°20’37” W
Husavik at Night
July 2, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
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- Day 4
- Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 10:59 AM
- 🌧 6 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Iceland Lundeyjarbreki 66.14702, -17.41508766°8’49” N 17°24’54” W
Whale Watching 🐋
July 2, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 6 °C
This morning we went on a whale watching from Husavik (the self proclaimed world capital of whale watching). After boarding our boat we were given massive boiler suits to wear, and even with my jumper, rain coat, puffer coat and boiler suit thing it was still chilly.

Anyway, after an hour of searching- which the crew do with their own eyes and knowledge- we found two humpback whales! We were told this was special as whales usually live solitary lives. We watching the whales as they swam together and then took a dive down into the option. This is when they swallow a load of water and then push it out through their teeth (that are like a broom), it traps all the sea animals inside and then they can lick their teeth to enjoy the food.

It was an amazing experience, but my god it was wet and cold!! On the way back we saw more animals such as puffins, and dolphins!

Finally we were given hot chocolate just as we entered Husavik.Read more
TravelerFabulous experience!
7/3/23Reply
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 4
- Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 2:47 PM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 283 m
- Iceland Dettifoss 65.81437, -16.38572265°48’52” N 16°23’9” W
Detifoss & Selfoss
July 2, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Detifoss is one of the largest waterfalls we’ve seen so far, it is 100 metres wide and has a drop of over 44 metres and it is the second largest waterfall in a Iceland!

The only major issue was the spray off the waterfall was unholy, absolutely unholy!!! By the end of it we were absolutely soaked through 😂😂.

But none the less we had a fantastic time and afterwards found a spot that wasn’t too wet and we could full appreciate the sheer size (and sound) of the waterfall.Read more
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- Day 4
- Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 6:54 PM
- ☁️ 7 °C
- Altitude: 446 m
- Iceland Staðará 65.374442, -15.88311365°22’28” N 15°52’59” W
Fjalladýrð
July 2, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Tonight we are staying in what can only be described as a middle earth Amish community, there is absolutely nothing for miles around it, and you have to drive from check in to your bedroom, and then drive from your bedroom to the kitchen. But none the less, it was a great night stay and the views were just amazing!Read more
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- Day 5
- Monday, July 3, 2023 at 10:37 AM
- 🌬 6 °C
- Altitude: 304 m
- Iceland Viðidalsá 65.174347, -15.27308865°10’28” N 15°16’23” W
Stuðlagil Canyon
July 3, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ 🌬 6 °C
First stop of the day is Stuðlagil Canyon, I think the picture speaks for its self, this spot was absolutely beautiful! It has glacier water running through a canyon walled with towering basalt rock columns. Found in the Jokuldalur glacier valley, largest number of basalt rock columns in Iceland 🇮🇸.

It really was spectacle, but did involve driving on a hellish rough gravel road, and I should add this rough road was a highway, not even Icelands infamous F-road, which only specialist cars can go on, it was a totally normally signposted road. Anyway, we made it there and back without any issue!Read more
TravelerLike the Giants Causeway on steroids!
7/3/23Reply
JHarwoodThat is exactly the best way to explain it!
7/3/23Reply
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Iceland, 2023
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- Day 5
- Monday, July 3, 2023 at 2:45 PM
- ☁️ 5 °C
- Altitude: 588 m
- Iceland Heiðarvatn 65.241522, -14.17813765°14’29” N 14°10’41” W
Views from the mountain pass!
July 3, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
Egilsstaðir —> 🚗 —> Seyðisfjarðarkirkja
See translation
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- Day 5
- Monday, July 3, 2023 at 3:41 PM
- ☁️ 6 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- Iceland Seysdisfjordur Ferry Port 65.261428, -14.00417865°15’41” N 14°0’15” W
Seyðisfjarðarkirkja
July 3, 2023 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Yes once again good luck pronouncing the name of this town, yet here at the edge of a fjord is a town with only 676 people. Yet for some bizarre reason they had crazy painted roads, shack style cabins for food, and a crazy museum with an outdoor heated pool (it was a bath), hammocks, oh and landslides and a Swedish consulate 😂.Read more
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