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Published: July 11th 2023
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Left our campsite relatively early after finishing a load of washing - dirty deeds done dirt cheap….
Off to our day of the glacier. We had booked a boat tour of the Fjallsarlon Glacier. The drive was brilliant with views of waterfalls and the glacier as we drove along. This glacier is huge and has many tongues coming down to lakes or just ending up in a paddock somewhere.
We eventually made it in plenty of time after all these great sights along the way. Got kitted up for wet weather and boat splashes. They provide a heavy duty jacket as well.
A 7 minute walk along a rocky track to the lake where the sight of the glacier not far away was superb, along with all the floating icebergs. So many that one of the boats was pushing them away so the other boats could get back to shore.
We were in the first boat along with a family of 4 Germans and 2 from Ireland. Our guide, Nikolas was also German but had spent lots of time in Oz so was recounting that to us more than taking to the German folk.
He took
us out to the icebergs and explained the colors and why some were dirty and others just plain white or the brilliant blue. Blue is the coloring they give off when they have revelry calved from the main glacier and haven’t been subjected to oxygen. White is the oxygenated results after being exposed to the elements and the black is from lava dirt where the glacier has pushed past rocks etc.
We then went over to the glacier and looked at the different shapes. He explained that the pointy ones were floaters while the flat topped ones were grounded.
All in all it was a great tour. Lots of pics and then the walk back to disrobe. The jackets were great in keeping the cold out but were also very heavy so it was nice to lose that weight.
Left there and head up the road for 10 minutes to the next glacier lagoon. This one is famous for the amount of icebergs at or under the road bridge which eventually float down the river to the sea which is a short distance away. Many find their way onto the beach which has been named “Diamond Beach”
as these small icebergs or parts thereof look like diamonds under the sun.
The amount of icebergs has to be seen to be believed (I don’t believe it…). So busy that they have even put in paid parking.
We had toasted sandwiches in the van using up our bread and other stuff. Quite a few people looked at us with jealousy in their eyes. Suck it up princesses.
One strange thing on the Icelandic roads are one way bridges. Unlike NZ, these only have 1 rule. First in best dressed. Usually no problems but at this bridge today, we heard a loud air horn. Look up and a bus is nearly across when a van or Motorhome tries to come onto the bridge. Bus tightly says nick off (horn). Van says no. Stand off. Other cars back away and finally the van reverses. Unfortunately into a car behind it. The van then takes off with the car in hot pursuit. Road rage in Iceland.
Decided to do a small shop and re- fuel in Hofn (biggish town). No probs but campsite looks dodgy so we head to the next town (Djúpivogur).
Wind has picked up
a bit so this drive, while beautiful scenery (like the great ocean road) was also very hairy. Wind gusts rocking the Motorhome made for uncomfortable driving. Luckily the gusts went after a while so able to relax a bit.
Made it to our next site. Pretty little fishing village with boats in the Harbour and the campsite on top of the hill. More wind.
The Motorhome was rocking well and truly overnight.
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Marian Schoen
non-member comment
Keep away from the volcanoes!
Stay safe