We Do Iceland

Day Sixteen - Grundarfjörður to Reykjavik

From September 24, 2010

I can't remember the name of this area or the restaurant, but it was incredible. A hidden little magical place.

We drove back to Reykjavik this day and stayed in the same hotel as we had at the beginning of our journey. That night we were out on the town and just happened to run into Peter who we had met on the ferry.

Day Fifteen - Bildudalur to Grundarfjörður

From September 23, 2010

This day we took an unexpected ferry. The man who rented our apartment to us told us about a shortcut ferry which cut off about 6 hours of driving time. On this ferry we met Peter, who is now a good friend. Do not have any photos of this day at the moment!

Day Fourteen - Ísafjörður to Bildudalur

From September 22, 2010

(Unfortunately friends, this is where I left off in the writing of this blog. I had intended to jot a few things down as soon as we returned home, but alas, it's now been two years and I never sat down to do it. I don't remember specifics about what we did for our last few days, but I'll share the photos and anything I remember.)

We stopped to talk to this beautiful couple out for a walk.
They have been married for 64 years.

The Westfjords are one of the most beautiful spots on Earth.

On the edge of the North Atlantic.

We didn't see a single person all day.

Dynjandi (see tiny me and Will down there?)

Seriously impressive falls.

Tiny Will. Abandoned ship. Middle of nowhere.

Westfjords.

They're not kidding!

Latrabjarg. Mind blowing!

Will strapped to my back.

John on the edge.

Day Thirteen - Hvammstangi to Ísafjörður

From September 21, 2010

After a hilarious breakfast of hot dogs (seriously, there is nothing out here!), we started our drive to Ísafjörður. Today was our longest drive of our trip.

The drive was mostly winding around several fjords and tiny roads right next to the water. It was beautiful and a very nice day, though there weren't many opportunities to stop anywhere.

For lunch at around 3, we came across the only hotel restaurant/hotel for a hundred kilometers where we had some not very good food and then continued on our way.

We also tried to go to the Drangajokull glacier but were again thwarted, even in our 4x4, treacherous road conditions (or in this case, no road). Still a great adventure!

We arrived in IÍsafjörður around 6pm and checked in to the Gamla Guesthouse. It is very sweet. All white room with a pitched roof and IKEA furniture. It's lovely (sorry for the overuse of this word! But it really is!)

For dinner we walked over to the main shopping area (about 3 minutes away) and had sort of fast food Thai food. It was nice to have some variety after several days of nearly the same 3-4 things. We also stopped at the grocery store to pick up some snacks in case we get stuck with no food again in the next couple days.

Then it was to bed for us!

Trying to decide whether or not to press on...

Nah.

Gorgeous Isafjardar.

Day Twelve - Akureyri to Hvammstangi

From September 20, 2010

We spent the morning in Akureyri at a lovely cafe called Bláa Kannan (we spent a lot of time there yesterday, too!) while waiting for our laundry to be washed for us. At noon we were able to pick the laundry up and we headed out of town. Our only stop on this leg of the drive was Glumbaer, another turf-roof house museum. Unfortunately, it is already closed for the season, but it was fun walking around the buildings taking photos.

We arrived in tiny Hvammstangi in the late afternoon and checked into the Hanna Sigga Guesthouse, which is like renting a room in this family's basement. It is very nice and cozy. There are several bedrooms and they are all full -- everyone else staying here is a single guy however. There are two shared bathrooms and a kitchen and sitting area.

We were a bit surprised and dismayed when we went out to find dinner to discover that the only restaurant in town is closed (for the season?). The grocery store was also closed. We thought we were going to be spending a hungry night here but finally came upon the gas station where we were able to have hot dogs and Dr. Pepper (with no HFCS! Wow it tastes good!) The two girls (sisters) who were working at the gas station were really friendly and fun to talk to.

After dinner we came back to the guesthouse to attempt to catch up a bit on this blog! The internet isn't the greatest though, so it's slow going!

Glumbaer

We just look out the windows in awe.

Hanna Sigga Guesthouse

Day Eleven - Akureyri

From September 19, 2010

Finally, a day to relax and stay in one place! We took it easy all day -- sleeping in, an afternoon nap, and leisurely strolling around the city. Here are a few photos of what we did when we weren't lazing around the hotel room. :)

Most impressive latte art!

More photos coming soon...

Day Ten - Húsavík to Akureyri

From September 18, 2010

This morning we slept in a bit and took extra time getting ready to leave since we were up so late the previous night. We parked in front of Gamli Baukur to use their wi-fi to upload photos from the night before and then stopped at a bakery for a quick breakfast.

Then we headed off to the Myvatn area which we explored for most of the afternoon. Myvatn is very similar to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming with all of the geothermal activity. Lots of steam vents and bubbling hot pots.

For lunch we stopped at a interesting café at a dairy, Vogafjós Café. You can watch the cows being milked as you eat! The cows weren’t being milked while we were there but we were able to go see some baby cows, including one that had just been born the day before! William liked seeing them.

The food was so good – nearly everything was produced right there on the farm. I had a goulash soup and bread that is baked in the ground using the geo-thermal heat and John had meatballs, potatoes and a salad with homemade mozzerella. William had a pancake (he’d been asking for one for days!) We spent quite a bit of time there, looking out the floor to ceiling windows at the green pastures and sheep and the sun shining in. It was completely lovely.

After leaving Myvatn, we headed to Goðafoss – it’s a beautiful waterfall. Back in the year 1000 the law speaker of Iceland made the decision to convert the country from the old Pagan religion to Christianity. After he decided, he threw his pagan idols off the waterfall here, thus the name Goðafoss.

By this time it was getting dark and we drove into the 2nd largest city in Iceland, Akureyri. It’s a lovely little city! We had dinner at Strikið which is on the top floor of a tall building with a pretty view of the city. I had a very tasty asparagus soup. John and Will got some ice cream on our way back to the hotel and then it was to bed for us!