Iceland - North Region:
Day 7 and 8:
Days 7-8 route:
These two days included the north coast and the Lake Mývatn region.
Dettifoss:
This is the largest waterfall in iceland at 330 feet wide with a drop of 150 feet. It is impressive by its magnitude, but not as pretty as some of the other falls.
Dettifoss:
Kelly and I at the overlook.
Dettifoss:
This is the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river which Dettifoss flows into.
Húsavík:
Small fishing village on the north coast. This town is best known for its whale watching. We arrived a little too late to arrange a boat tour. I guess that means we have to come back.
Húsavík:
Goðafoss:
Nice waterfall on the north side of the island
Goðafoss:
Lake Mývatn:
Lake Mývatn is near the Krafla volcano. The area around this lake is still active and there are plenty of fresh lava flows, steam vents, etc.
Lake Mývatn:
Lava tube in the Lake Mývatn area:
Kelly and I goofing off at the lava tube.
Ooops!!!
Moments after taking the above photo, I climbed (fell) down the lava tube while trying to retrieve my camera. Oh well, If you're not bleeding, you're not playing hard enough.
Námafjall geothermal area:
This area is just a few miles away from Lake Mývatn. There were several of these steam vents and hot bubbling pools. Not to mention the strong odor of sulfer and acid.
Námafjall geothermal area:
Námafjall geothermal area:
Námafjall geothermal area:
Viewing the steam vents while Kelly is trying to grab my weiner.
Námafjall geothermal area:
Cowshed Cafe:
This restaurant in the main Lake Mývatn town served one of our top 5 meals on the trip. They serve their own locally raised beef and lamb. All their milk, cheese, bread, etc. is made on site. Their Geysir rye bread is baked in the ground using the geothermal heat.
Akureyri:
This town on the north coast is called the Capital of North Iceland. It is the second largest town after Reykjavík with a population of 18,000.
Akureyri:
Although a very pretty little town, I didn't find much exciting here. The tour books recommend the church, which I found to be rather ordinary. The shops don't have anything unique you can't find in the US, and the restaurants were overpriced. It's a nice stop along the way, but I wouldn't spend too much time here.
Akureyri:
Akureyri - Jólagarðurinn (The Christmas garden):
A few miles outside of town is this this little Christmas shop. It's open year round and sells only Christmas decorations and candy.
