When I was planning this Iceland trip, an area I really hoped to see was Lake Mývatn, which is extremely geologically interesting area of Northern Iceland. Without doing a TON (i.e. an extra 400 miles, and according time) of driving to get there (from the more frequented, attraction-rich area of the South and West), I wasn't sure how it would happen. Then I saw that Air Iceland runs day trips including roundtrip domestic (30-40 minute one-way) flights from Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, to Akureyi in the north, along with a guided tour of the area. We signed up!
Many cruise ships stop at Akureyi (mostly from the UK and Germany, per our guide). Akureyi also boasts the best ski resort in Iceland.
We first headed the majestic Goðafoss waterfall ("waterfall of the Gods"), which was certainly another very spectacular display! According to legend, around year 1000 AD, a Viking decided to adopt Christianity as Iceland's official religion, and threw his pagan idols into the water.
We then stopped at Skútustaðagígar, a wetland area of pseudo craters which were formed by lava eruptions.
Grjótagjá was a thermal cave, also used for filming of an episode (season 3) of Game of Thrones
One of my favorite spots of the day was stopping by Námafjall volcano and the Hveraröndor Hverir area of hot springs and bubbling mud baths.
Sigh. So many wonderful wonders to see in this great country.
Many cruise ships stop at Akureyi (mostly from the UK and Germany, per our guide). Akureyi also boasts the best ski resort in Iceland.
We first headed the majestic Goðafoss waterfall ("waterfall of the Gods"), which was certainly another very spectacular display! According to legend, around year 1000 AD, a Viking decided to adopt Christianity as Iceland's official religion, and threw his pagan idols into the water.
You could view it from both sides by crossing a bridge.
We then stopped at Skútustaðagígar, a wetland area of pseudo craters which were formed by lava eruptions.
The flies were abundant in this area, which actually gave the lake its name!
These lava formations were filmed in some episode of Game of Thrones (of which I am not-- yet-- a follower)
A nice walk among the lava castles at Dimmuborgir
We again straddled the Continental rift
This "crater" lake was pretty cool-looking!
Iceland gets about 35% of its energy from geothermal power plants like these (and 65% from hydroelectric. NO COAL! Can't we be renewable and clean like them??)
Fumarole
Our last stop before heading back to the airport was Mývatn Nature Baths, an outdoor natural hot spring. It was incredible to pop in and out of the (36-40 degree C) heated water while being exposed to the cool Iceland air (it's open in winter, too, which must be amazing!). They make you strip naked and clean thoroughly before entering the mineral-blue water (and tell you that, unless you take off silver and copper jewelry before immersing yourself, it will be black when you get out).
Sigh. So many wonderful wonders to see in this great country.
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