Left at 8am, we have a lot of driving today. Filled up with diesel, not long after, it started raining quite heavily. And it got heavier ?
We went through our first tunnel here, 11/2 km long.
The mountains came right down next to the road, lakes/sea the other side. A few mountains looked quite unstable, covered in Volcanic Ash and there were areas where there were tall barricades to catch the large boulders that fell. ?at one point the thick, heavy cloud felt like it was just above the roof of the car. There were a few lookouts we could have stopped at, you could imagine on a nicer day, you would have views of the rugged coastline below. What we could see was lovely, but the view was limited by the rain and low clouds.
We were excited to see Bulandstindur mountain, it is shaped like a pyramid and is 1069 metres tall, with all of the low cloud we expected it to be hidden from us, a joy to see it.
Next we arrived at Djúpivogur, a fishing village. We had a look through the car window (as it was still raining heavily) at an installation of 34 oversized Granite eggs at the harbour. each egg is perched atop its own slab of concrete. The Eggs of Merry Bay (Eggin í Gleðivík in Icelandic) are a tribute to the native birds of eastern Iceland. In 2009, Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðmundsson created the 34 enormous eggs in honor of the 34 species of bird that nest within the area. Each stone specimen accurately depicts the shape, patterns, and colors of the individual bird egg it represents. Though differing slightly in appearance, the eggs are all close to the same size. Except, for one. The sculpture honoring the red-throated diver, the official bird of Djúpivogur, is larger than the rest. The eggs are all accompanied by a sign giving the bird’s name (both genus and species) in Latin. We enjoyed the installation from the car with the window wound down to take photos as it was still raining heavy.
In all of this rain today we have seen about 8 pushbike riders, with their packs on their bike. True Viking warriors!
Next stop Faskruosfjorour, a small fishing village with French connections founded in 1880. We had a nice lunch here, was good to stop for a while. I mentioned to the girl who served us that it was a bit wet today and she commented, and last week and the week before and next week ?. I suggested she come to Australia and she rubbed her hands together and said, after her shift ?. I think it rains a lot on the East coast.
I drove for a little while after lunch, went through a 6km tunnel, then driving through the mountains into a long spell of pea soup, thick fog. Both times I experienced long, hot flushes ?
Was happy to pass the driving back to Greg. ?
Around 3.30pm we arrived at Myvatn Nature baths, the same as the Blue Lagoon, but smaller and only 1/3 of the price. I know everyone wants to experience The Blue Lagoon as that is the photo you see when you see Iceland. But knowing what I know now I would go to the local swimming pools for $10.00 and be with the locals, rather than pay $75.00 for the Blue Lagoon to be with the tourists. We enjoyed half an hour in the Lagoon, got out smelling of sulphur (that didn’t happen at the Blue Lagoon). While we were there that boy was heard yelling, I’m cured, I’m cured ??. I certainly hope so ?
We arrived at our accomodation around 4.30pm, we have a nice view over Myvatn Lake. These last 3 nights we have been staying in the middle of nowhere, there is always a view! We are here for 2 nights, looking forward to exploring this area and not having to drive very far.
