Iceland

A quick trip to Iceland for a project meeting, plus a few extra days to visit Helga and Siggi in Stafafell. One of my colleagues and I arrived early the day before the meeting and had time for some sightseeing around Reykjavik. We visited the historically and geologically interesting Thingvellir and went for a walk in the mountains to look for the hot steaming river at Reykjadalur. It was quite cold so it was very nice to lie in the hot river and enjoy the scenery. We spent quite a while up there.

Fantastic weather during the flight to Reykjavik. Here looking at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Thingvellir

Boiling mud pool, Reykjadalur.

Steaming hot river, Reykjadalur.

After the meeting I collected my rental car (a Suzuki Jimmy; the first and last time I rent one of those) and headed east along the ring road towards Höfn and Stafafell. It is a long drive, but there are lots of interesting sites along the way, such as beautiful waterfalls, remote landscapes, a naturally heated swimming pool in the mountains, impressive glaciers and lagoons full of icebergs, to stop, go for a walk and break the journey. I think I managed to choose quite a nice selection of sights and short walks during the drive to Stafafell and back to the airport in Keflavik.

Seljalandsfoss

Frozen spray from Seljalandsfoss.

Moss covered lava landscape, Skaftafell in the distance.

Church at Hof

Kvíamyrarkambur glacier

Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon

Icebergs stranded on the beach at Jökulsárlón

Icebergs floating from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon out to sea

A few of Siggi's sheep at Stafafell

Horn, near Höfn

 

Landscape near Höfn

Svartifoss in Skaftafell national park

Ruins of a farm at Hjörleifshöfdi

Hjörleifshöfdi

A relaxing swim in Seljavallalaug thermal swimming pool

Boiling mud pools at Seltún geothermal area