Iceland 2016

We spent 10 days in Iceland over the Memorial day weekend.  We visited the Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Westfjords, and Reykjavik.  Here is our experience to share.

Highlights

Hotpool in Drangsnes

Geothermal hotpool in Drangsnes, Westfjords. The 3 pools are built into the seawall.  they mix the water so each pool has a different temperature. the natural hot water drains directly into the sea with a magnificent view of snow cap mountains across the fjord. what's more incredible is that it is free!  We had a fantastic time meeting other travelers and renew our inspiration to travel - priceless!

camping at Pingvellir

With the exception of a night in Reykjavik, we camped for the entire trip.  Camping was an amazing way to experience the environment.  We happened to visit when the bird life is prolific, Arctic Terns, swans, Common Snipe etc.  While the hotels were all booked out, there was hardly anyone camping.  We spent two nights at Pingvellir National Park, one of the 3 stops in the very popular Golden Circle. We had the campsite all to ourselves.  There were many fishermen with waders in the water, it was nice to chat with them.

Camping in the lava field

 Camping in 30+mph windstorm:  The weather came in during our first night in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We camped in 30+mph windstorm.  We visited the house by the campsite to pay, and lady exclaimed "Camping?  now?!"  Classic.


Lava Field:  one of the coolest campsite was in a lava field (picture right) in Hellinsandur, in Snaefellsnes Peninsula.  The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is one giant lava field filled with craters. 


Food was amazing. expensive but well worth it. We'd spend $0 to $10 on accommodation, $25 on
lunch, and $50 on dinner - per person. I never had a travel expense like that.    Fish soup, in Gamla Rif, the only store in a tiny fishing village in West Iceland.  Lamb soup and fish at Old Iceland in Reykjavik. Skyr, the Icelandic Yogurt, is amazing. It was thick and creamy yet non-fat. We tried a different flavor every morning.  Baked Apple and good old blueberry were our favorite.  We also enjoy the rich selection of Licorice and the Krispbread, which was quite a treat for Peter.

24 hour daylight.  Sunset was at midnight and the sky never got dark before sunrise.  you can read through the night without needing light.  we were jet lag during the first few days, since we were in the wilderness and we weren't waiting for shops to open, we were moving and doing things at our own timezone.  Golfers were teeing off after midnight - carpe diem!

a mountain hut for emergency stay

Itinerary
Day 1: arrived at 7a.  picked up grocery at Reykavik, drove to Pingvellir National Park, First of the 3 stops of the golden circle. we toured Pingvellir and camped in the park.

Day 2.  The Common Snipe flying over our tent.  next 2 stops of the Golden Circle.  Geysir and Gulfoss. took a nap at Gulfoss. decided we had the best campsite by the water after touring others, so spent a second night in Pingvellir.

Kirkjufells

Day 3.  Drove North to Snaefellsnes Peninsula.  it is one big lava field.  reserved ferry at Stykkisholmur in 2 days, paid the last day of the winter rate.  Great dinner at Stykkisholmur.  still energized so we started the loop in the peninsula, then windstorm came and we pitched camp at Grundarfjordur in 30+mph wind.

puffins at Latraberg

Day 4.  woke up to a beautiful blue bird day after a windy and wet night of camping.  First stop is one of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufells, and Kirkjufellsfoss right across the street. Drove on and found the best fish soup in a tiny fishing town called Rif.  drove to the western tip and hiked the amazing Lava fields and craters. we could see Snæfellsjökull.  camped in a lava field in Hellissandur.

Day 5. continued the Snæfellsjökull National park loop counterclockwise.  more hiking in lava fields.  back to Stykkisholmur and camped by the golf course, where golfers teed off after midnight.

Day 6.  picked up goodies at the Stykkisholmur bakery to get on the ferry ride at 9a. about 3 hours North and we arrive in Westfjords. We drove to a big bird cliff, Látrabjarg. Amazing bird colony. puffins, seagulls, guillemots. We found a beautiful spot on our drive and we freedom camped over a fjord.  It was amazing.

Dynjandi - the top waterfall is 90M high

Day 7.  Westfjords: Dynjandi waterfall.   had my first icelandic hotdog in Patrekfjordur.  magnificent fjord. took some short hikes to a local summit.  found another beautiful spot and wild camped.

Day 8 Westfjords: Geothermo hotpool in Drangsnes.  camped among the sheep by a river

Day 9: Reykjavik. toured the city and enjoyed some amazing food.  finally stayed up late enough to catch the sunset at 11:38pm.

Day 10:  Reykjavik in the morning, found a good bakery.   Spent 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon spa.  picked up some Skyr for the flight home.