Trip Report for Iceland 6-12 to 6-20

Great report, Kim. James MacLetchie will be our guide as well. That was really sweet of the flight attendant to serve you a mimosa. The tomato soup at Fridheimars farm will spoil you for life. And the bread there, oh my! So, so good.

Mary..... you will love him. When we finished up both tours, we met up with him in Edinburgh. He was finishing up a RS tour and had a break. We went to lunch. Caught up on life and touring. Told him we enjoyed his tour of Iceland with Hildur. He is working on other tours. Told him to let us know, because we are in!! We also want to do his Outer Hebrides tour. We would have done that tour but we had the Shetland/Orkney already planned and could not fit it in. Maybe going back to Scotland again next year. LOL!

Part 2
Waterfalls, Museums and other sites --

Day 1
After we were picked up at airport, we went to get our new friends, Polly and David at the AirBnB they stayed at. Our first stop was to a Viking museum (Viking World). Viking history in Iceland, Viking boat of Islendingur during the summer of 2000, Captain Eggerson and crew re-created the voyage of Viking explorers 1000 years ago. Then we stopped at a cafe to grab a snack/drinks/comfort break since we just landed and grab some food. At this stop, there was information area about where the North American and Europe plates meet. In the center, you are standing on Europe side or North American side with a glass plate looking down on to it.
On to our next stop at the Volcano and Earthquake center (Lava center). It is an interactive exhibition of volcanic and earthquake activity and about the creation of Iceland over the millions of years. There is an area on how it feels in an earthquake. Interactive area of the volcanoes. Headed to ferry for Vestmannaeyjar island(Westmann islands)

Day 2 - This island has a great area on the southern part of the island for Puffin lookout. We got there early morning 9 or so. Lots of those cute little guys. They are usually out and about in the mornings and to out in afternoon for food. So, there were looks for up close and personal viewings. They have built and building on the cliff area so people can go inside and view the puffins and have information about them inside. Walked around the southernmost tip with great views looking out to the ocean and other small volcanic islands like Surtsey. Some of these are on the UNESCO site. Only researchers can go to these islands for their research. Pirate cove, rock formation that looks like an elephant. You can see lots of different rock formations along the coast/road that we can see and what do you see in them, ie: elephant, faces, fairies, elves, etc. Herjolfur's farmhouse: during an excavation, the remains of eight houses and stonewalls were excavated. Built here was a hypothetical building to demonstrate what the settlement possibly looked like. This afternoon was a highlight of taking a rib boat tour around the islands. It was a blast!! Went to Eldemima museum in the island. It was a very interesting museum about volcanic eruption that happened in 1973 on the island. It forced the entire population to evacuate the island on a moment's notice in the middle of the night. The museum was built around and over a house that was excavated. Their house was drowned in ash and lava. It was buried in ash and lava for over 40 years. It has now been excavated and shows the results of what the lava and ash did to the house. Another portion of the museum covers the Surtsey eruption which is an island that emerged from the ocean south of Heimaey in 1963.

Part 3 - Day 3
We left Westmann Island on ferry back to mainland Iceland. First falls stop was Gljufrabui Seljalandfoss. There are several falls here and path is a nice, paved path to walk along the front of them. They are in Katla Geopark area. You can go behind the falls but will be drenched. The Main falls has a large area behind the falls that you can go behind. Careful with the rock going down and coming up. Skogafoss are falls that you have to climb up 370 steps to the top. You will get rewarding and powerfull views. My thigh sure were barking at me! Did not realize how much out of shape I was. Hestavaosfoss has lots of waterfall on the Skoga River above the Skogafoss on the Laugavegur trail. Very beautiful up here. Next, headed to black sand beach. The rock formation reminds me of the giant's causeway in Ireland. Warning signs on the beach about deadly sneaker waves. Dyrholaey has large rock formations along the ocean. More beautifull views in all directions. It means "the hill island with the door hole". Also has a castle shaped lighthouse. They have names for all these rocks. We stopped back in Vic for a convenience stop. I took my hiking shoes but evidently did not notice they were about to fall apart. There is an Icewear store in this shopping center and I found some more hiking shoes. We gave my old shoes a burial memorial and said our goodbyes to those boots. Next interesting stop, way off the beaten path was Hjorleifshofoi (Yoda cave). The entrance to the small cave looks like Yoda. The Yoda Cave was used in the Star Wars Rougue one movie

Part 4 -
Day 4
First falls today .... Foss a sidu is on private land/farm. It's a small waterfall falling from beautiful cliffs with moss vegetation. Next is Fossalar rapids.... these are beautiful, think one of my favorites. Glacier stop Oraefajokull glacier at Mt. Hvannadalshnukur... two major eruptions and still active volcano. Stopped at Hofskirkja church, 1700's. This is a turf church in the Oraefi region south-east Iceland. It has a very unusual cemetery beside the church.
Another Glacier... Oraefajokull Glacier, we walked up as close as you can get to this glacier. Headed to Diamon beach.... this is a black volcanic sand beach where icebergs from the glacier lagoon drift ashore. It is by the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. We took a duck boat ride on glacier lagoon. All sorts of sizes and shapes of icebergs. One was even shaped as a "blue whale" as our blue whale on route 66 here in Oklahoma. They had two food trucks here at the lagoon. We had lobster rolls here, very delicious!! Had some amazing views from our drive all around the south/ southeast coast of Iceland. Our last glacier for today is Skaftafellsjokull... another walk up to the glacier as much as was allowed. This is one is darker due to the volcanic ash, not very blue in color, look dirty. We did alot of driving with scenes of lava fields throughout our week. Stopped at more rock formations... Dwarf rocks (Dverghamrar). It's the home of supernatural being's Icelandic folk tales such as dwarfs and elves. Last falls for today.... Stjornarfoss. It is so clean and clear.... take a drink from the water, nice and crisp!! It is a short height and petite form.

I will continue tomorrow.

Thank you so much for posting! Can't wait to read all of it:)

We are headed back next summer to do the Westfjords and Westmann Islands, so your information is very helpful.

We stumbled upon Foss A Sidu last summer and had a little picnic on our vehicle there.

Thanks for the rundown of your recent Iceland trip. I just got back from Iceland on Wednesday and my tour guide said that no one comes to Iceland just once. Now I know why and am hoping to return someday soon. Was the tomato farm Fridheimar? That's where we toured and had the best tomatoes I've ever eaten.

Part 5 -
Day 5
Fjadrarglijufur Canyon - this place was specatular. The beauty, the carved-out rock with flowing water. Had to climb some but not as much as our first waterfall. I feel wobbly on some type of heights. This was a challenge for me to go out on the platform, but I did it! Kinda reminds me of a mini–Grand Canyon, but green!!! This is from their information board "the canyon is believed to have formed during the end of the ice age around nine thousand years ago. As the glacier slowly retreated, a lagoon was formed. The run-off started slowly digging into the landscape where the canyon is presently located. Glacial rivers carried large of sediment into the lagoon and the river running fromit dug itself into the rock threshold and the palagonite layers in front. Gravel terraces left behind give evidence of the original height and location of the lagoon and a deep channgel in the palagonite bears silent witness to the forces of nature." Yes forces of nature. Next stop was Eldhraun Gonguleio... a moss Heath. This is a lava field covered with moss. There is a path that is made to walk on the lava rocks..... no way too dangerous. Made our same convenience stop at our same plaza. It was hard not to buy more Icewear. Love that stuff? Waterfall. Kvernufoss.... another waterfall that you could go behind, but i did not bring windpants. Hildru and our tourmate David partaked in that event and came out drenched. Rocky, mossy, very nice fall with a small river. Skogar Museaum..... this is an open air folk museaum. Pretty interestesting. A cultural heritage collection of more than 15,000 regional folk craft artifacts. If I remember, I think the museum part was a man's collection of lots of artifacts. Another part had cafe where we ate and transportation museaum, then a open air museum consisting of church, several houses, grass roof buildings. The museum part had several needlework crafts which I enjoy because I work at a needlework shop. Old samplers that were stitched by young girls is 1800's. Last stop of the day is Urrioafoss.... (Rapids and small falls). Another beautiful place. Now we hit our favorite hotel Grimsborger. I immediately went to the hot tub before going back into Selfoss for dinner.

More to come tomorrow.... I am tired and still need to get ready for our next RS adventure!!

Mirandajana350 - yes it was Fridheima.. oh such awesome tomato soup. I thought I had the best in Shetland and Braewick Cafe, but no!!! this is the best!!

Kim--we bought the soup and bread recipes when we were there. I have made the soup from tomatoes in our garden and it is very good! Add a bit of the Icelandic salt, and even better;)

Miranddajana--Very true, you will be back:) Our first trip was a 3 night stop over and we were hooked. Our 4th trip will be next summer.

Part 6
Day 6
Today we head off on the Golden circle. First stop is Pingvellir/Thingvellir National Park. This was such an amazing place. A rift valley in Iceland where the Eurasian plate meets the American plate. the waterfalls, rock formations, geological formats, fissure. This is such beauty and breathe taking. This is info from a brochure " Now a protected historical site, Thingvellir is revered in the hearts and minds of Icelanders. It was the site of the founding of Althingi, the Parliament of Iceland, in the year 930, and a great number of the most remarkable events in Icelandic history occurred there. Designated as a UNCESCO World Heritage Site in the 2004, the Thingvellir Nation Park is among some 800 sites of cultural and natural significance that are considered to have unique value on a global scale. Think we spend several hours here. Our next stop is lunch!!! At Fridheimar a tomato farm and Icelandic horse farm. Four different variety of tomato are grown here. They are well known for their tomato soup and homemade bread. The soup and olive bread are unbelievable taste of excellent. It is a family run restaurant. We also got a private demonstration of the Icelandic horses. They demonstrated the different gait styles these horses do. We were told that they want to preserve the breed of these horses. If they leave the country to do a horse show outside of Iceland, they are unable to return. Gullfoss.... another beautiful waterfall. Designated as a nature reserve in 1979. In the evenings, it has a golden hue which color its glacial waters. Next is a geysir stop at Haukadalur Geothermal Field. Several geysir that just bubble up and two others Strokkur geyser erupts every 8-10 minutes. Geysir erupts but not consistently. Next stop is Kerid is a volcanic crater late. You can walk around the top outer edge and go down to the bottom and walk around. Back to our hotel for a delicious meal.

Mikliz97 - I did not know or ask about getting the recipes. Dang!! Yes, we will go back again. James is toying with doing a different tour going up north on the west side.

Kim

Last entry of our Iceland trip - now to get ready for RS tour.

Part 7
Day 7
leaving our grand hotel near Selfoss. Our travel buddies had to leave a day early, so we made some few stops on the way to the airport. Glad they had a late afternoon flight. Stopped at a small church Strandarkirkja. It is a Lutheran parish in the southern coast of Ireland. On to the Blue Lagoon... Husband did not bring swimsuit, he watched from the cafe window. Polly, David and I went into the lagoon. It was included in our tour. Some say it was not worth it. But us three enjoyed it. It felt great, free drink, face paint to rejuvenate your skin!! Think we were there about 3 hours? Maybe. Now off to drop our new friends at the airport. Hildur took us into Reykjavik to our hotel. David and I grab a quick late snack and walked down to the city centre. Got my token Hard Rock pin, found another Icewear store and bought another merino wool base layer top (on sale!!) and head band. Good for our colder weather travels. Since we tend to migrate to these areas. Don't think we have been south in a long time. Hildur came back to hotel for our final dinner together. Love Love our tour guide. Hope we can travel again.

Day 8
Off to the airport for our next adventures to Glasgow. Hildur came to hotel to pick us up around 4:30 am. Again, she went above and beyond as our guide and made us fall in love with Iceland.

Kim--We are headed back for the Westfjords and the Westmann Islands next summer. My husband sat out the Secret Lagoon, but the rest of us went and loved it. His loss;) It was right after Fridheimer though and he wasn't feeling like putting on his swimming trunks. BTW, I sent you a pm

Wonderful adventures you had! Thanks for sharing.

You will love the Scandinavia tour, too. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about it.