My vanlife highway journey round Iceland continues- and I’ve began to discover the north. Right here’s my each day diary.
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Iceland Day 5- this was sudden!
I stared on the map, feeling pissed off. I must be in Husavik on Tuesday morning… and there simply aren’t sufficient hours to do every part I wish to do on the way in which.
That is the issue with having mounted factors in your highway journey. It creates a degree of stress to be someplace by a selected time and date. Which implies organising and planning your schedule, leaving no time for sudden delights you would possibly discover alongside the way in which.
It’s one of many causes I haven’t booked any campsites- I’ve no clue the place I’m going to finish up every night time.
Fortunately, the issue is definitely solved. I phoned the expedition firm and requested to vary my reserving to Thursday, which provides me 2 additional days to see all of the issues alongside the way in which.
I set off on a 4 hour drive with just a few highlights to see. First stop- boiling mud. After a number of hours of driving, I made it to the Hverir mud swimming pools. These are like one thing out of a youngsters’s movie- the colors are so shiny however the odor is horrific. I may nonetheless odor it hours later- undoubtedly carry a masks with you!
On the way in which to my subsequent cease, Dettifoss waterfall, I finished to select up a feminine hitchhiker. It seems, Yulia (I hope I spelt that proper!) is as loopy as me!
She travels alone, primarily hitchhiking and sofa browsing. She’s visited 70+ nations this fashion and has plans to go to Iraq in just a few weeks.
Chatting to her was enjoyable and made the journey to Dettifoss much more enjoyable- it’s pretty chatting to fellow travellers about their experiences world wide.
Dettifoss was fantastic- SO a lot energy. Count on to get very moist although, particularly if you need photographs of the rainbow 🙂
Ended the night time in a campsite by the lake, which sounds pretty however the actuality was midges. LOADS of midges. Funnily sufficient, I loved the view from inside my van!
Day 6 & 7 of vanlife Iceland
I’ve bought a brand new mission- discovering the very best spa lagoon in Iceland.
I made a decision to just accept this mission and work on it very onerous… by spending a LOT of time over the previous two days soaking in deliciously heat water.
The 2 I’ve tried thus far have been very shut to one another: Forest Lagoon in Akureyi and Geospa in Husavik. Forest lagoon was lovely, fashionable and smooth, whereas Geospa was a bit of older.
Nonetheless, the infinity pool and unbelievable view of the Geospa was magical. Apparently they see whales there actually usually however sadly I didn’t see any throughout my go to. Guess I’ll simply have to return.
Different notable moments of the previous two days embody:
- Visiting the Christmas store close to Akureyi (it’s adorned for Christmas all 12 months and it stuffed with presents and treats.)
- Laufás Museum and heritage website. I loved this greater than I believed I’d. The turf homes have been fascinating, as was the little church. All in all, well worth the detour to study a bit in regards to the historical past and tradition of the realm.
- Godafoss waterfall– named for the gods!
- – Grjotagja Lava cave- well-known from GoT & created between two tectonic plates!
Additionally visited a campsite which has its personal sizzling tubs proper on the seashore (one in all them is a viking ship!) and am at present in a campsite simply down the highway from my subsequent adventure- whale watching!!
Fortunately, the climate appears to be enjoying good and the ocean is flat calm, so I hope we will likely be profitable in seeing the whales. Test again tomorrow to see if I do! 🙂
Day 8- I noticed WHALES!
I can’t even start to explain how unbelievable in the present day was. It was simply… superior.
It began with whale watching. I used to be a bit anxious in regards to the rib selection (seasick and never an enormous fan of deep water) however it was AMAZING. The climate was sunny and sea was calm as we headed out.
First cease, puffin island, the place I noticed a whole bunch of the tiny black birds swimming, flying, nesting and diving.
Then we went out into the good blue to attempt to discover whales. I hadn’t actually considered it earlier than (in any case, these creatures are HUGE) however it was a bit of like looking for a needle in a haystack.
And WHAT a needle we discovered.
After solely 10-Quarter-hour, we discovered a uncommon blue whale, then a hybrid whale (blue whale and fin whale) after which lastly a SLEEPING humpback whale.
Seeing them like that, of their pure habitat, was unbelievable and one thing I’ll bear in mind eternally. When you go, undoubtedly do the rib tour- you get a lot nearer to the whales then the larger boats- and might get there sooner.
After this epic begin (and a crepe to heat up!) I headed off to one thing else I used to be excited about- a sizzling spring waterfall. It is a pretty new attraction, and is at present nonetheless free, though that’s set to vary sooner or later. However, for now, it’s a heat water pool on the prime of a waterfall, which you’ll be able to sit in. It was magical- particularly after I had it to myself.
After about an hour right here, I set off on route 1 in direction of the western fjords. The earlier part of route 1 from Egilsstadir to Akureyi was underwhelming, however this part in direction of Laugerbakki was INCREDIBLE. So many views and vistas- I finished about 7000 instances, which is why the journey took for much longer than the three hours Google had decreed.
I additionally did one other detour to Kolugljufur Canyon, which I hadn’t even heard about earlier than in the present day. I virtually didn’t hassle, because it was off the primary route, however I’m so glad I did. There was an excellent waterfall there and a canyon brought on by a feminine troll known as Kola. Whether or not you consider in trolls or not, you can’t deny the canyon was lovely and I loved enjoying with the drone there.
The campsite for the night time is in a discipline… which might be advantageous besides it’s speculated to rain all night time. Let’s hope I can get out safely within the morning!
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