Return to Iceland

October 2017
A short but fine adventure by Val's Travels Read more
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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Reykjavik

    October 1, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Feels great to be back in Iceland 12 months after I finally got round to visiting this wonderful country. I'm staying at the Storm Hotel, which is a little bit out from the main centre of Reykjavik but still walkable into town, and has the benefit that one of the numbered bus stops for the tour buses is literally right across the street. Did a quick walk to visit a supermarket for supplies, then early night ready for my long day trip tomorrow.Read more

  • Day 2

    Snaefellsnes Day Trip

    October 2, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Early departure on my tour for the journey west to Snaesfellsnes Peninsula past sweeping mountains with green and yellow colours, for a walk on a rocky wild black beach. It feels pretty remote here, not many cars around, which is exactly how I like it. We made a stop at Vatnshellir lava case, which involved descending a spiral metal staircase wearing helmets and holding torches, to walk in half darkness on the rocky surface inside the black walled cave, at one point standing in absolute pitch black darkness when we all turned off our torches. Back outside we continued through the bleak but beautiful scenery for a walk along the rocky coastline, and past a lake of clear still water perfectly reflecting the mountain at its edge. A wonderful day, but a long one.Read more

  • Day 3

    North to Akureyri

    October 3, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Took the short 45 minute flight from Reykjavik's little domestic airport to Akureyri, just south of the Arctic Circle. Amazing scenery on the way, past snow capped mountains, over canyons and a bleak landscape, and then an approach through a canyon over the fjord where the town sits. Walked from the airport along the pleasant pathway alongside the water, and uphill in town to Icelandair Hotel. I took a walk down past the church to the little main street, which has a few tourist shops and eating places, and then discovered a large shopping centre on the edge of town, with a supermarket. It feels very different to Reykjavik here, more remote, and yet it has been easy to get here.Read more

  • Day 4

    Akureyri, Iceland

    October 4, 2017 in Iceland ⋅ 🌬 3 °C

    Had a fantastic day trip to the beautiful Lake Myvatn area. This is where Game of Thrones is filmed, although I was there for the waterfalls. I am always in search of wow factor places and I wasn't disappointed. To reach Dettifoss waterfall it was a 15 minute walk along a rocky walkway from the siimple parking area, (no gift shops or cafes here, this is wild Iceland), and the view was spectacular. The roar of the cascading water was wonderful, and somehow seeing it on a cold cloudy day makes it all the more impressive. I hurried up to the higher viewpoint, took loads of photos then walked along another rocky pathway to nearby Selfoss waterfall. Here, to reach the edge it was a case of precariously negotiating rocks used as stepping stones across puddles of icy water. Although not quite as impressive as Dettifoss, the remoteness of this waterfall made it just as beautiful to behold. Back nearer to Akureyri was Godafoss waterfall, easily accessible just off the main road and once again a beautiful place to stand on the slippery rocks and look down at the water, or venture down to the edge of the river and feel the spray of the water as it crashes down. Back on the tour bus we turned off the road, bumped across a snowy track, and then walked to the edge of a beautiful canyon, with nobody around.. So many wonderful places to visit in this area. Lots of opportunity to visit Game of Thrones locations, if that's your thing, and to bathe in a smaller and less commercial version of the Blue Lagoon. Long day of wonderful places. Highly recommend Akureyri as a destination.Read more