Wednesday, September 13, 2017

South Iceland Glaciers


Today we had another 180 degree turn in the weather! It dawned clear & calm, and I had a short walk on the Vik beach before breakfast.
Today we were driving along the south coast of Iceland, from Vik to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & back. We drove along the beautiful cliffs, that became more rugged as we drove further east. We passed many glacier rivers, and crossed huge lava flows. We learned that these were from the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history! The south coast has a very large flat plain that has been built up from all the run-off from the volcanoes and glaciers. We arrived at the Glacier Lagoon about noon, and went out for a cruise in a "duck boat". It's an incredible sight, so many icebergs of all sizes with the huge glacier (Europe's largest) and the ring of mountains as back drop. Afterwards we walked along the short river that leads from the lagoon into the ocean. The river is rushing along, the icebergs all get jammed up, then suddenly break free or break apart, the seals and the birds are circling... On the beach on the ocean side, small pieces of icebergs get washed up, and sparkle in the sun.
After lunch we stopped at Skaftafell National Park, and did a nice level 1 1/2 hour hike to the foot of the glacier. Another beautiful area, the highest mountain in Iceland, Hvannadalshnukur is overlooking this valley.
It's hard to describe how beautiful this whole area is, and my pictures don't do it justice. And of course we were so lucky with the weather today, at times it was quite warm! (other times, in the wind, near the glacier, or on the glacier lagoon it was quite cool!)
We arrived back at our hotel in Vik about 6:30, just time to change for dinner at 7:00pm. Tonight we had mushroom soup, arctic char, and skyr panacotta, all very good.
The front desk has said that they will call us if there is Northern Light activity, so we may have a disturbed night tonight.









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