It is 13.5 degrees when we start off this last morning of touring. We have been incredibly lucky. A couple of times I could have used one more layer like a small winter jacket, we needed our rain pants only twice, but did wear our rain jackets for the wind and cold most days at least once. There were days where we went through all 4 seasons where we were in tshirts at a time, then up to 4 layers gradually throughout the day, then back to tshirts. Only one terribly windy day, and it was just for half the day. Interesting fact for insurance, we paid for expensive full insurance coverage, but that does not cover your door blowing off the car because of the wind. The one really windy day Andre would come and hold my door open and close for me, yes it was that windy.
Our drive this morning went around an absolutely beautiful fjord. Not sure if it was in the original plan but I could have just pulled over somewhere and sat for a couple of hours, it was that pretty. We were on the lookout for an old beached whalers stop, but we are not exactly sure if we saw it. We also saw a former NATO base and there were a few whaler plaques with some history on them.
We next moved on to Grindavik town which was a total waste of time. We had read about colorful houses and fishing boats, we never found either, would definitely not go back here.
We drove down to the entrance of Blue Lagoon to see if we could see any of it, the most interesting was all the new lava from the last volcano, some had crossed the road and they need to build new roads, this just happened in the last couple of weeks.
A quick stop at Grindavik church and then we continue to the Valahnúkamöl area. A nice stop which would have been much nicer in warmer weather and more time available to us.
Moving on with a quick stop at Miðlína or Leif the Lucky Bridge is a walkway linking the North American & Eurasian tectonic plates. We were lucky here as there were not too many people around.
On to the Garður Old Lighthouse which would have been nice to be able to spend more time to visit. We were rushing now to make it to the campervan rental spot by 1PM and we needed to get gas. Luckily the rental agency had told us where to fill up, which was basically right outside the camper van place. 12:55PM we pull into the rental agency. Luckily we had organized our stuff this morning as they wanted the van right away, we felt a little rushed. Grab our things, use a Sobeys bag with the bits of leftover food which we take to the airport with us. It is a 5 minute drive to the airport and the van is waiting for us to get in with another couple to take us to the airport.
We didn’t go through security right away. We made lunches from any leftovers we had with us, then tossed the rest. We had 5 hours to wait until our flight left so plenty of time to kill. Had fun watching large groups arrive and try to print off their luggage tags. Any time I see these things I think of Mom and what she would do, I was still helping her put her seatbelt and ear buds on to listen to movies the last few times we flew with her! She would still be there trying to figure out the luggage tag printer.
Would we do this again, in a heartbeat. Possibly some day to do the Westfjords and the Highlands. For that you need a 4by4. Time will tell.
12 days was a good amount of time to see Reykjavik and drive the Golden Circle and the Ring Road. If we had more time, we might have done some of the activities that Iceland offers (Walking on a glacier, Boat tour or kayaking with Iceberg, whale watching) and possibly more of the Artic way drive or a couple of the island of the main island.
Norway and Alaska were high on our list of places to visit, but now have been bumped down for a bit because of how similar they may be to Iceland. Really was a trip we will never forget.
Day summary:
8:30 AM leaving Campground
6 Sightseeing spots
1PM at Campervan return
215 KMS of driving
5 KMS of walking
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Total for the 12 day trip:
Driving 2900 KMS and we used 150 liters of Diesel Fuel which cost us $530 Canadian
Parking: we paid 16 times and it cost us $200 Canadian in total. 6 of those were the first 2 days on the Golden circle and on the South Coast. The good news there was no entry fees to see any of the natural wonders that Iceland has.
Walking 265,000 Steps aka 168 KMS that average out to be 13 kms per day.
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| Our last morning |
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| Our bed was actually pretty good once you got used it it after a couple of nights |
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| Many gas stations are not staffed |
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| THe sheep have a pretty nice view from the beach |
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| Beautiful reflections at the end of the fjord this morning |
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| I think it was an old whaling factory |
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| No traffic here, the road less travelled but it was gorgeous |
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| A private expedition ship |
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| Lots of farming in this area |
Now at the area near blue lagoon
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| Boat tour anyone LOL |
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| Grindavik church |
A stop in Valahnúkamöl area
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| Reykjanes lighthouse |
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| Great Auk sculpture |
A stop at the bridge between 2 continents
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| Our last Appelsin, kinda like a Fanta |
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| We will miss the Skyr yogurt |
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| The menu at the airport diner |
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