Blogs from South, Iceland, Europe - page 18

10:15 AM The half price bus journey to Þorlákshöfn took us down Iceland’s main Route 1 for the first part, the same way we had gone the previous day on the first leg of the Golden Circle. This same road was almost unrecognisable to 24 hours earlier though, the snow that had covered the flat landscape was gone, and the misty mountaintops where clear, letting the morning sun glint over them. The second half of the journey took us towards the south coast, where the rocky hills gave way to flat plains so quickly you can almost see the faultline that separates Europe and America - the Mid-Atlantic Ridge basically cuts Iceland in two, forking in two directions in the middle of the country to take a detour through Reykjavik. The bus to Þorlákshöfn is designed ... read more

In the morning, we're woken up by - rain! For the first time in over a week (aside from day 1 in Reykjavik), it's raining! So we decide to do what any rational person would: continue sleeping, and wait for it to ease off, which it does around 11. So we carefully pack up everything, have breakfast at a covered bench and table nearby, and head down to the ring road. Seems like our idea worked: tail wind! And no more rain! How much better can it get! At this speed, we'll be in Kirkubæjarklaustur in a matter of a few hours, may even make it all the way to Vík today! But somehow, we don't travel too fast: the landscape that only yesterday seemed dull when seen from the bus is now overwhelming. Feeling the ... read more

After yesterday's fun day of headwind-cycling, we decide to try and use the headwind - which seems to be the predominant direction the wind here - to our advantage. Since we had planned to get to Skaftafell, and then take the bus back, why not turn this on its head, take the bus to Skaftafell, and then cycle back along the south coast with tailwind? As it turns out, the bus stop is also directly at the campsite, so we don't even have to work hard to catch the bus - simply pack up, and make sure we stand ready at 11:40 for the bus. No problem: the bus is almost empty, plenty of space for our bikes, and we get tickets to Skaftafell. The road continues straight, but soon starts climbing quite rapidly up a ... read more

Zondagavond 15 februari 2009 Het was een lange dag, toen we deze namiddag in IJsland zijn toegekomen. We zijn een groepje van 10 personen. 4 belgian people and 6 dutch people, and 1 swedish lady. All very kind and open persons. The ice was immediately broken when we went to the blue lagoon. Dobberen en genieten van dit warme water. Zoals onze gids Fons zei, allen "poedelen" in het warme water. Iceland is the country of water, fire, and pots.... Hereby some pictures. It's very late now, ik wil gaan slapen. doei christine Update van 16 february 2009 Pictures of Geysir and Gulfoss. Na een droge moren, met prachtige momenten aan de Geysir (lees Strokkum geyser, want de Geysir spuit niet zo veel meer) zijn we naar Gulfoss gereden. Some of the roads are still closed. ... read more

The Island Our stay on the island was just for a few days, but it was great. Time became unimportant, just the tides and wind mattered. Everyone settled in: Rosa's little lads, Jakub and Isaak set to helping us bash the angelica with gusto. The allotment had been overrun by this herb, which grew with strong stems over a metre high, so good is the soil (birds and basalt, at a guess, to thank). Kasia introduced a fine Polish recipe or two, Placki (potato pancakes) and Sorrel soup. The Sorrel was growing outside in the grass, and has very much been seen as a weed. But the proof was in the tasting! Above us the whirring noise of a snipe bird and the calls of the terns. The goslings mooched about nibbling the grass and ... read more