3rd July Friday (London – Iceland – Hlíðarendi)
It was the last day of school, so picking him up at 12.15 (and the rest) and saying final goodbyes to school parents, we got home and got ready for our taxi at 13.30 which dropped us to Luton before 2.30. We checked in fine and had some food before boarding and our Easyjet flight to Reykjavik. It was a headwind so it was a little late getting to Iceland, but immigration was quick. The problem was how long the car took, it was a ticket system (which we did not know about) and even after that we could not find the car for a bit – so it was 9.30 when we left. It was now a 2h drive to Hótel Fljótshlíd (170km), with food from the uk for dinner, arriving there after 11.15pm, and getting into our room (via the code given on email). After a quick freshen up, we headed out again and drove to Seljalandsfoss – around 20 mins. Seeing a waterfall in the midnight sun with little crowds was amazing. After the look around we then drove back to the hotel (more photos en route).
4th July Saturday (Hlíðarendi – Djúpivogur 5h 425km)
Today was going to be a big day. We had breakfast – a small continental affair for us before heading out at 8.30am. Our next stop was Skogafoss, just under an hour away. It was not that busy yet, so nice – we climbed to the top and walked to Hestavaðsfoss before going back down to the car. By now there was a steady stream of people and coaches.
We now drove to Vik and stopped at the Kronan there to pick up some lunch and supplies for dinner, then it was off again. This was another 2h – 160km drive to Tröll Expeditions at Skaftafell, though we had a couple of stops in between such as Hamrafoss and other lookouts.
We got to the place at around 1.30pm and were directed where to park before going and getting ourselves kitted out by the friendly guides. It was then at 2 onto a bus to the glacier. Bhavni had done this years before and the glacier had retreated quite a bit, so it was a small walk to then get onto the ice and up which was a great experience in the sunny 20C day. Airyen and Bhavni drank some of the glacier water – that was what Bhavni regretted as she got a cold for the rest of the holiday, but great otherwise. We finished around 5pm.
After the hike it was another drive, first stopping at Jökulsárlón and the Diamond beach where there were small icebergs going out to sea. We spent around 30 mins here before carrying on our drive at 6.30. Most people book near Hofn but we drove past and had a quick drive towards Stokksness, but as there was an entry and it was quite late we carried on and stopped at Hvalnes Nature Reserve Beach, this was a black beach, empty and very scenic. The waves crashing on the shore were getting impressive and we had to warn Airyen to come away as they seemed to be getting stronger.
We then had to drive to Krákhamar apartments. Bhavni put something in wrong on the way so we ended up in Djúpivogur before realising our mistake. Then it back a bit to the apartments. Getting in around 10 Bhavni made the dinner – pasta before we had a walk to the waterfront. It was probably midnight by the time we went to bed.
5th July Sunday (Djúpivogur – Egilsstaðir)
After the late night, we were a little late getting up and ready, having some food in the apartment. We then had a little walk in the quite nice grounds in front of the apartments before leaving at around 10.30.
Today was going around the eastern fiords on the eastern road – pretty and quite long. We stopped in Eskifjarðar where we went to the local pool – paying a small amount each. The pool was quite nice and had some hot pools and equipment you could just use. Here Bhavni met some American tourists that were doing similar to us and they told us about horse riding they had done.
So after the swim Bhavni managed to phone the people that did this and convinced them to let us ride today. So we drove east to them and (after finding the place) met. There were locals who were just going for a ride and there was a girl from Africa. They set all of us up and the guy gave us a really nice ride through the flower meadows and fields. He was quite happy with us.
It was then a drive to Bonus in Egilsstaðir for supplies. It was then a drive to Setburg Guest House where after checking in at 7, we made dinner. Airyen was not really settling which meant that it took a while to decide what to do next.
So at 9.20 even though we were a little tired I drove north to Hafnarhólmi – puffin island. The pass we had to climb had a really cool view. We got there around 10.40 and Airyen and I went to see the puffins – amazing and cute. Then it was the drive back to the accommodation for the night.
6th July Monday (Egilsstaðir – Mývatn – Brekka)
Breakfast in the apartment before we left at 8.45 and drove to Stuðlagil Canyon just about an hour away. We went to the west side parking and looked around before going to the east side parking to get closer and to the bottom. Its a canyon that was only recently exposed when they made a dam and the water level fell, with the sides lined with hexagonal shapes. Airyen and I went to the “island” bits – lots of sheer falls – for some exploring.
From here around 11.45am we drove to Dettifoss, a 1 and half hour drive, getting there at 1.20 to the west side parking, its a pretty dry looking area and you do not expect to see a bit river and fall here. From the parking it was a 10 min walk to the fall (meeting the Americans again). We walked up towards Selfoss as well.
It was just before 3 before we left and drove to Krafla area, past the hydrothermal power plant to the hill and to the Krafla Landsvirkjun panoramic view, for a lookout. We then drove to the parking for Leirhnjukur, which was a short walk through old lava fields to some geothermal pools, with a rickety staircase and boardwalk to go on. We then drove to the nearby lot to go to Krafla its self – a crater lake where we walked around the top.
It was then a drive towards Mývatn, where we went first to Grjótagjá, a cave made famous by game of thrones. We then drove to the visitor center there – pretty good exhibit. After this we drove around the remainder of the lake and stopped at Daddi’s Pizza for dinner, luckily getting a place indoors. It was quite fun as the world cup started showing on the tv.
After dinner at 7ish we drove to Guesthouse Brekka – a much bigger complex then I expected, where we checked in and pretty much chilled in the unit.
7th July Tuesday (Brekka – Akureyri)
Breakfast was decent as it was a larger place – had to explain the cheese was unlikely to be vegetarian. After checking out we were on the road about 8.30 driving to Húsavík getting there about 9.
We reported for the whale watching and then had a little wonder around till it was time to wait near the docks. There were quite a few of us on the boat, but we got some space (after putting on the safety clothing). We headed out before 10, and saw a couple of Minki whales, before we got to a resting humpback. We stayed here for quite a while seeing it do small movements. I after getting restless took the camera and went to the lookout near the captain – what good timing, the whale started to move at that time and we got some good views of it with the fin up. It played for a while before we left it and went to see if there were any other whales. There were a few on the horizon – but we would not get there in the time allowed. So we went and saw some more of the Minky whales before going back to the port.
We were on the road after this to Gadafoss about an hour away getting there at 12.45, parking on the east side and walking to the falls. A lovely semi circular fall. We spent around an hour there.
It was then a drive to Akureyi – just over 30 mins away. As we got there I decided to stop at Brynja, a place that does home made ice cream and specialises in dipping it in chocolate. A bit of a queue, but we got a ice cream and sat on the benches outside.
From here we decided to go direct to the Akureyri Swimming Pool. It was a bit busier than the last pool, but similar setup and it was great to use the hot pools – some going to 45C. Airyen really enjoyed the slides.
We then went to our hotel Centrum Hotel Akureyi, where we unloaded the car and went in. I had lost my glasses somewhere so that took a little while to find – the bar had found it. After all that we went down and had a little walk around before driving to Netto to get some supplies for our dinner and breakfast. We went back and Airyen and Bhavni got a Crepe from the stand in front of th hotel.
8th July Wednesday (Akureyri – Laugerholl / 360km)
Today was going to be another longer drive day, so after breakfast in the room – ceareal and breads, we took the bags to the car and checked out. The first stop was to the Christmas house – the screen on the car misbehaved but then started working. We had a little contest to find the most amusing santa and bought a few sweets.
Back to the car … the screen was not working. There was a Hertz near the Airport, so went there… he could not help much and did not have any cars like ours, so suggested going to their repair partner in town, Car-X. They were quite helpful and ran the diagnostics, but could not figure it out either (Airyen had to be entertained looking at the car wrecks). So he said he will try the leave it with off and no power and hope it resets – it worked.
It was now 11.30 and it was a 2h 20min drive to Kolugljúfur Canyon (190km), about 15 min of the main road. It was a nice stop to see the small falls going to the canyon, and good for a small walk.
After having stretched our legs, we drove around 2h now to Hólmavík, where Airyen decided he wanted to go to the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. Not Bhavnis nor my idea of where to go. But I went in. A few minutes in Bhavni game me a call to go to the harbour. We went out quick and got to the walls just in enough time to see the whale that was there dive. Then it was back in to the museum – Its a little disturbing for me and required a quite a bit of reading (flayed legs as trousers anyone). Bhavni saw 2 whales in the harbour whilst we were in side.
We went to Café Riis and had some drinks, while scoping out the dinner options of Pizza there. We decided we could come back if we wanted to, so we then drove to Hotel Laugerholl on the rough road, getting there for 6pm. We checked in and told them we would eat there. Then asked if there was a walk we could do and the lady said there was a walk to a waterfall if we carry on up the road. So we drove there and had a little walk – soft ground such that Bhavni and Airyen pretty much stopped, whilst I got quite close. We then went back to the Hotel, and got into our swimming gear for the spa pools there; a 25m warm pool and hot spa.. the natural pools were not really our thing. Then we had dinner at the hotel – buffet dinner which was quite nice and different – most apart from 2 dishes were veg. We met the chef also who was friendly.
9th July Thursday (Laugerholl – Reykjavik)
We started of our morning with a swim in the warm pool a bit after 8 in the morning, finishing before 9. A nice start to the morning. It was then breakfast time, we were the last in the room at the end. The owner of the hotel got talking to us and talked about how the hotel was a school and how it is used for the community – such as the funeral wake that was taking place today.
After checking out we walked to the The Sorcerer’s Cottage nearby – worth a visit, before leaving at 10.40. We drove to the Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring about an hour away – it had some people who had the same idea as us and we were not really that much in need, so we carried on.
Originally I had planned to visit Glanni waterfall, but I think we had seen so many that we decided to stop at the nearby Grábrók, which is a old volcano that you can go to the rim of. We had a nice short walk there, before going on our way.
Bhavni suggested we do a diversion – to Deildartunguhver. This is some areas of steam vents and fumaroles near the nice Kruma spa. They decided to get some chips from the food truck there – as well as go into the greenhouses to see the plants he owns.
Now it was 2 and a drive to Reykjavik. We had booked timed tickets to Perlan – a museum about the wonders of Iceland. It was a cool museum, with lots of interactive areas and exhibits – the Volcano was really cool. The ice cave and the northern lights show were interesting. There was a lot to absorb and you could be there for a while. We also walked outside on the top for a view of the city – cold.
Just after 6pm we headed to our hotel – the 201 Hotel, where we checked in and freshened up – lower floor so no views.
Airyen picked where we were going to eat tonight – Mama Reykjavik a vegan restaurant, where we had some takes on Asian curries, with some sides and drinks.
From here we took a walk around Reykjavik town center – the rainbow street, and the Hallgrimskirkja church. Near the church we bought a chocolate desert from one of the supermarkets and took it back with us.
We drove back to the hotel after 10 and had our desert here, asking the reception to store the rest as we did not have a fridge.
10th July Friday (Reykjavik – London) Bhavnis Birthday
We had a slightly late breakfast in the restaurant on the 3rd floor.
We checked out and left before 11, going to the Hofsstaðir Viking Longhouse, unfortunately none of the scopes to see the interactive scenes were working. So we decided to go to Ikea for a bit and then fill up fuel at Costco.
We then at 12 drove to the Blue Lagoon, getting there for our timed entry of 13.00. The parking to the spa was a few minute walk – you could see it was a busy place. We had gone for the slightly more entry ticket – so got a robe – though it ended up being useless for us. We spend just over 3 hours there, in the blue water – we did try the saunas and steam rooms. We also got a drink included as well as 3 face masks. This was strange to put it on then just wash it into the water we were all in. No wonder the floor was a bit slippery in places.
After getting out and having a look at the Lava Restaurant we drove to the Kökulist Bakery near the airport, where we had some tea and some breads.
Then it was to the airport to drop off the car and check into our flight. The flight was fine, with us getting into Luton airport after 11:20 and us completing security by 11:40 and getting into the taxi quickly – which was nearly taken by anther person using A1 taxis – we got home around 12.20.