Iceland South-West - May 2019

So on to the next part of our trip, and our 6hr drive back down to the south-west; destination Hvergerdi which would be our base for the next 4 days.

Day 8 started by packing the car, and by 9am we were on our way. For the first one and a half hours of the drive we didn't pass another car, the roads were just so quiet. It would be about two and a half hours, maybe three before we exited the Westfjords and of course there were a few stops for photos. And no sooner we hit Route 1 we made another stop, at the Glanni waterfall where we stretched our legs for half an hour. We'd visited last October but it was a nice place to stop.

Our main stopping point on the way down was again at Borgarnes where we grabbed a couple of pizza's for today's lunch and our tea tonight, then carried on our way. It was a little odd now after the serenity of the Westfjords to see more and more traffic.

We continued along Route 1 arriving at our next 'home' at around 4:30pm so it had been a good run overall. After unpacking and having a couple more slices of pizza we headed out for a walk. We circled the town and headed out into the outskirts a little to see some of the hot springs that are scattered all around the town, being careful of course to keep to the paths. We walked around 3 miles arriving back a little after 10pm. Now feet up time.

For day 9 our trip of choice was an old favourite, the Golden Circle. Yes we know it's the busiest part of the country for visitors as the coaches pour in from Reykjavik, but it's been a while since we've visited any of the highlights in the area so off we went.

We left around 10:30am, and an hour or so later we were at Thingvellir National Park; the only National Park in the world where you are actually walking between tectonic plates, that of the North American plate and the Eurasion plate. It's also the place where there was the first ever parliament, around 1,150 years ago, We spent two and a half hours there, really enjoyable under the mid-day sun.

The next stop off about 45 minutes later was the famous Strokkur Geyser which fires high into the air every 6 or 7 minutes or so, and instead of just following the other 'stop off' visitors we went for a short walk up the hill above the geothermal area before dropping back down to see the geyser in actions - and it didn't disappoint.

Now onto my favourite waterfall in Iceland; Gulfoss. And of yes it was as grand as we remembered, lovely blue water and the thunderous roar as it pours over the top cascades and then drops down into the ravine. It's a truly amazing place to be; definitely one to add to your bucket list. Maybe better when there aren't the hordes of tourists as this place does get VERY busy, so coming later at night when the days are long would be the best choice.

For our next stop, it would be a relatively short stop but a place that we haven't visited before. It was the gorge at Bruarhlod which is about 2 miles down river from Gulfoss. A stunning gorge carved out of the rock with beautiful blue water running through it; a popular place for white water rafting and you can see why.

It was now 7pm and the plan was to head down to Fludir to have a relaxing hour in the Secret Lagoon; but alas we thought that it was open until 9pm when it was actually 8pm so no time to go. Never mind though, we had experienced an enjoyable day. It was a stead hour back to our apartment and by the time we arrived, definitely time for tea.

 

Day 10 was upon us, and this was to be a belated anniversary treat after our light aircraft ride over part of Iceland was cancelled last October due to the weather. Today we would be going inside what is thought to be the only magma chamber in the world that you can be lowered down into.

Our slot was mid-day, so as we always like to do we arrived there early, about 11:45am with the adventure expected to start when people arrived from Reykjavik around 12:30. After everyone arrived the guides set about ticking everyone off the list so that there were no ringers there; and giving us a bit of a brief about the next 4 or 5 hours.

The walk to the chamber was just over 2 miles each way, through a lava field but on well marked paths and not much of an incline. And oh it was a tad nippy out there today with the cold wind coming from the north. So it was definitely hat and gloves weather.

 

Upon arrival we were kitted up with a harness and a helmet each, and now to the small opening at the top of the crater. We walked across the small metal bridge and were secured into the cage that would take us down the 120m to the floor of the chamber. It was an fun ride down, and an amazing sight to see down there. Amazing colours everywhere you looked, with just the small opening high up above us. We were down there around 45 minutes in the eerie atmosphere.

 

Afterwards we headed into the base cabin and warmed up with a bowl of lamb soup and a drink before setting off on the hike back to the car. About an hour later we were setting off back for a relaxing evening back at the apartment; what a great day.

 

And so to the last full day of our holiday, and a steady day ahead as we have an early flight tomorrow. It was yet again a gorgeous day, in fact later in the day I went to the petrol station and supermarket in shorts! Now that's a first for me in Iceland.

 

We left the car and went on a 4.5 mile hike taking in the area just to the north of the village and then back through what is a lovely little place to stay to be honest. The path took us over the warm river, on a track beneath the hills that flank the village, back through part of the geothermal area and the last section through the village. A lovely steady walk of a couple of hours.

The last significant part of the time in Iceland was a short drive along Route 1 down to Selfoss, and a burger and shake from Bulan, commonly known as Tommi's Burgers, named after the guy in Reykjavik who started the small Icelandic chain. And as always the burgers were lovely. And with a Caramel shake chaser what more could you want for your last meal here. And apart from the brief outing for fuel and the supermarket, at 3:15pm it was time to bolster down ready for an early night and then the flight back tomorrow.

 

A fantastic 12 days with the best weather that we have ever experience in Iceland, no rain and LOTS of sunshine. Thank you, you beautiful island in the North Atlantic.