Last, but certainly not least Iceland
Days 6
Woke up to the sound of the wind, then my eyes were greeted by a white layer of snow across the green fields I had seen the day before. The snow was still coming down…Sideways. Which was something I had never seen before. It scared me a bit because driving in snow is one of my biggest fears and we had more exploring to do today. We went down for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of food. (Best breakfast buffet so far.)
We then bundled up and headed to Diamond Beach. (Rachael driving, of course.) The wind had a burning desire to whisk us off the road…NOT TODAY I calmly told myself. We made it to Diamond Beach in one piece. Shuffling though powder towards the coast line I wished I had brought another pair of boots other than Uggs. The waves roared against the shore on one side of the beach that stretched out as a small peninsula. On the other side there was a large river/pool that gently flowed into the angry sea. On the calm side was where all the small icebergs had broken off and became smaller fragments, some washing to shore, coining the name, Diamond Beach. While looking across the jet-black sand there’s hundreds of “diamonds” scattered freely. Even in the snowy weather I could see how they shined. A sea lion curiously popped its head out to say hello as I walked towards the end of the peninsula to see where the river met the ocean.
We had an Ice Caving tour booked with the Local Guide that departed at 10:30am. Conveniently it took off from Jökulsárlón- the Glacial Lagoon, that was just across the street from Diamond Beach. Our guide was Lisa, there was a group of 12 of us. The rig that was taking us out to the ice cave was this giant 4x4 van unlike anything I have seen in person before. Think Mad Max meets Antartica. We were headed to the Sapphire cave in the beast.
Lisa stopped the van to deflate the tires for the wicked 4x4 road ahead of us. The drive to the makeshift parking lot was exciting and not one for anyone that gets easily car sick. The snow had eased, but was still coming down, combined with the low clouds made seeing the mountains a challenge, which only heightened my curiosity of the unknown road we were on. After parking and grabbing our hard hats we started the walk to the ice cave. Our local guide Lisa had perfectly timed it so we got there as two other groups were leaving. We had the place to ourselves. The cave was true sapphire and vibrant. With the ever changing weather conditions and river that flowed through it we were told how lucky we were to be seeing it that day and walk deep into its greatness, (because it wasn’t always being able to be explored.) As I gazed at the brilliant shades of blue that seemed to endlessly layer on top of one another I completely forgot about how cold I was.
After the Ice Cave we were brought back to the Glacier Lagoon where we did a little more exploring. The wind and snow grew and the cold seemed to be nipping at all of my extremities. We ventured back to the hotel because we were warned that the road further east was closed due to the weather. We played cards and had dirty martinis in the lobby bar next to the corner window and watched the few cars that were daring enough to be driving that day pass by. Thinking of my happiness and still in awe of this place.
Day 7
We moseyed back west towards Reyk. Slowly taking in the sights we had previously passed with a new perspective. Everything was a little more green and also a lot more white. (The snow from the day previous had gone further west than I had anticipated.)
We had been told about Svinafellsjokull, by a couple cool South Africans we had met. Similar to Glacier lagoon, in the sense it had large ice fragments that had broken off a glacier, wadding in a large lagoon. Yet differently because at Svinafellsjokull, you could see the glacier these masses had birthed from directly behind them. (This was my new favorite site visited.) After exploring the mini coast of the lagoon we started back to the vehicle, the rain came only confirming our right choice of timing.
We stopped back at the Kalt Hotel for a leg stretch and Baileys and Hot cocoa.
As we arrived back into the city we were racing a bit against the clock. I had seen some cool pottery at this local art shop that I wanted to get as a gift for friends back home and they closed at 18:00. We found parking (actually not that easy in the city center of Reyk) and made it to the shop by 17:30. Extremely tasteful and full of beautiful pieces, it was a home to 8 different local artist that took turns each day running it. Name of the shop escapes me, and I heavily suggest trying to find it for unique local crafts.
The woman running the shop that day suggest we leave our car parked where it was walk to our hotel a few blocks away than risk moving it. The wind had picked up again (always windy here!) but we took the locals advice and mini trekked to the City Center Hotel. Cute lobby and welcoming front desk we settled in nicely.
With short time to fully relax from the day and drive we had we were off on another excursion of getting our covid tests to return home. Of course the only place I had found to make an appointment after 16:00 was across town. Driving more around Reyk we make it to the building that looks less than promising… Blacked out with only a light in what looks like some kind of lobby. It was closed! Frustrated and now scrambling we returned to our room to reevaluate how to be let back into the states… After more research and misunderstanding we discover there is a covid testing place extremely close to the airport that opens at 6am and we can be the first appointments.
With such little time left we left the room for a drink and see if this city had anymore surprises for us before our morning flight. The guy a the front desk suggest a new bar that had recently opened and was known for its cocktails, Jungle. Bonus is that it was just steps away from the hotel. Jungle went beyond exceptions with an incredible cocktail list and friendly bartender. The decor reminded me of a London bar I couldn’t put my finger on with lush plants and wood accents. The final reward was dinner at the Fish Market, again. Our first meal had been so spectacular we scratched the other food recommendations given and went to what the stomach and heart craved. Reordering almost identically as the first night and adding another dessert.
In conclusion Iceland easily has one of the most dynamic and interesting landscapes on this planet, or at least that I’ve seen. Pure, raw, beauty at every turn and should absolutely be on your list to visit. I was there during mid October which gave about 10hrs of daylight, with that it also gave the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. If you’re looking to do day adventuring and also scope for the dancing night I’d suggest around this time. Summer months you can enjoy daylight all day, while the winter months get cold and increasingly darker. October seemed to be a good shoulder month to enjoy both.
Again, I took this trip with Rachael Zimmerman who is a professional photographer and any photo of myself was taken by her.
