Iceland - East Region:
Day 5 and 6:
Days 5-6 route:
These two days included the east coast, and a ferry ride to Papey Island.
Sheep:
One thing about Iceland is they seem to have more sheep and horses than people out in the country. There were several times we had to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting the sheep.
Dverghamrar:
These are the Dwarf rocks or Dwarf cliffs which are basalt formations caused by the way the lava cools. The way it's described is similar to the way we make single crystal turbine blades (for my engineer friends).
Dverghamrar:
Dverghamrar:
Dverghamrar:
This site didn't even have a name. Just a beautiful little river/falls along the side of the road.
Skeiđarársandur:
Glacier flow in the Skeiđarársandur region.
Vatnajökull National Park:
There was a small food truck near the vistor center where we got a lobster tempura lunch. It turned out to be one of the top 5 meals we had on the whole trip. Go figure...
Vatnajökull National Park - Svartifoss:
There is a very nice hike here of about 3-4 miles that leaves from the visitor center. It has about a 1000 foot elevation gain, but well worth the effort. The are a couple water falls and some beautiful vistas overlooking the mountain ranges and glacier.
Vatnajökull National Park - Svartifoss:
Kelly and I after the nice hike up to the falls.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
This is glacier lagoon on the south end of the Vatnajökull National Park. This lagoon has been featured in many movies including, A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Batman Begins. We took a boat tour of the lagoon to see many of the ice formations.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Our guide with a piece of glacier. One thing you gotta love about Iceland is that all the (female) tour guides, waitresses, hotel clerks, cashiers, etc. are all friendly, young, pretty blondes.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
And Kelly is pretty hot too!
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:
Scenic view:
Just another one of the beautiful scenic views along the way.
Scenic view:
Scenic view:
Just another spot we stopped for a photo.
Papey Island:
When we reached the town of Djúpavogshreppur, we took a 4-hour ferry tour to Papey Island. This is a small island (0.77 square miles), known for its bird cliffs and seals. It has a small dwelling, a church, and a light house but is has been uninhabited for quite some time.
Papey Island:
Seals
Papey Island:
Seals
Papey Island:
Seals
Papey Island Puffins:
Papey Island Puffins:
Papey Island Puffins:
Papey Island Puffins:
Papey Island Puffins:
Eurasian oystercatcher:
Common bird on the island
Papey Island:
View from the top of the Papey island bird cliffs:
Papey Island:
Small farm house on the island. It's no longer occupied, but still preserved by the owners.
Papey Island:
Another beautiful view from the far side of the island.
Papey Island:
