Northern Iceland with a Camper

My vanlife street journey round Iceland continues- and I’ve began to discover the north. Right here’s my day after day diary.

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Table of Contents

Iceland Day 5- this was surprising!

I stared on the map, feeling pissed off. I should be in Husavik on Tuesday morning… and there simply aren’t sufficient hours to do all the things I need to do on the best way.

That is the issue with having fastened factors in your street journey. It creates a stage of stress to be someplace by a specific time and date. Which implies organising and planning your schedule, leaving no time for surprising delights you may discover alongside the best way.

It’s one of many causes I haven’t booked any campsites- I’ve no clue the place I’m going to finish up every evening.

Fortunately, the issue is definitely solved. I phoned the expedition firm and requested to vary my reserving to Thursday, which supplies me 2 additional days to see all of the issues alongside the best way.

I set off on a 4 hour drive with a number of highlights to see. First stop- boiling mud. After a number of hours of driving, I made it to the Hverir mud swimming pools. These are like one thing out of a kids’s movie- the colors are so vivid however the scent is horrific. I may nonetheless scent it hours later- undoubtedly deliver a masks with you!

On the best way to my subsequent cease, Dettifoss waterfall, I ended to choose up a feminine hitchhiker. It seems, Yulia (I hope I spelt that proper!) is as loopy as me!

She travels alone, primarily hitchhiking and sofa browsing. She’s visited 70+ international locations this manner and has plans to go to Iraq in a number of weeks.

Chatting to her was enjoyable and made the journey to Dettifoss much more enjoyable- it’s beautiful chatting to fellow travellers about their experiences world wide.

Dettifoss was fantastic- SO a lot energy. Count on to get very moist although, particularly if you need photographs of the rainbow 🙂

Ended the evening in a campsite by the lake, which sounds beautiful however the actuality was midges. LOADS of midges. Funnily sufficient, I loved the view from inside my van!

Day 6 & 7 of vanlife Iceland

I’ve obtained a brand new mission- discovering one of the best spa lagoon in Iceland.

I made a decision to simply accept this mission and work on it very arduous… by spending a LOT of time over the previous two days soaking in deliciously heat water.

The 2 I’ve tried thus far had been very shut to one another: Forest Lagoon in Akureyi and Geospa in Husavik. Forest lagoon was stunning, trendy and glossy, whereas Geospa was slightly older.

Nonetheless, the infinity pool and unimaginable view of the Geospa was magical. Apparently they see whales there actually usually however sadly I didn’t see any throughout my go to. Guess I’ll simply have to return.

Different notable moments of the previous two days embrace:

Visiting the Christmas store close to Akureyi (it’s embellished for Christmas all yr and it stuffed with presents and treats.)
Laufás Museum and heritage web site. I loved this greater than I assumed I’d. The turf homes had been fascinating, as was the little church. All in all, well worth the detour to be taught a bit in regards to the historical past and tradition of the realm.
Godafoss waterfall– named for the gods!
– Grjotagja Lava cave- well-known from GoT & created between two tectonic plates!

Additionally visited a campsite which has its personal scorching tubs proper on the seashore (one among them is a viking ship!) and am at present in a campsite simply down the street from my subsequent adventure- whale watching!!

Fortunately, the climate appears to be taking part in good and the ocean is flat calm, so I hope we can be profitable in seeing the whales. Test again tomorrow to see if I do! 🙂

Day 8- I noticed WHALES!

I can’t even start to explain how unimaginable right now was. It was simply… superior.

It began with whale watching. I used to be a bit anxious in regards to the rib selection (seasick and never an enormous fan of deep water) however it was AMAZING. The climate was sunny and sea was calm as we headed out.

First cease, puffin island, the place I noticed tons of of the tiny black birds swimming, flying, nesting and diving.

Then we went out into the good blue to attempt to discover whales. I hadn’t actually considered it earlier than (in spite of everything, these creatures are HUGE) however it was slightly like looking for a needle in a haystack.

And WHAT a needle we discovered.

After solely 10-Quarter-hour, we discovered a uncommon blue whale, then a hybrid whale (blue whale and fin whale) after which lastly a SLEEPING humpback whale.

Seeing them like that, of their pure habitat, was unimaginable and one thing I’ll keep in mind without end. If you happen to go, undoubtedly do the rib tour- you get a lot nearer to the whales then the larger boats- and may get there sooner.

After this epic begin (and a crepe to heat up!) I headed off to one thing else I used to be excited about- a scorching spring waterfall. It is a pretty new attraction, and is at present nonetheless free, though that’s set to vary sooner or later. However, for now, it’s a heat water pool on the high of a waterfall, which you’ll sit in. It was magical- particularly after I had it to myself.

After about an hour right here, I set off on route 1 in the direction of the western fjords. The earlier part of route 1 from Egilsstadir to Akureyi was underwhelming, however this part in the direction of Laugerbakki was INCREDIBLE. So many views and vistas- I ended about 7000 occasions, which is why the journey took for much longer than the three hours Google had decreed.

I additionally did one other detour to Kolugljufur Canyon, which I hadn’t even heard about earlier than right now. I virtually didn’t trouble, because it was off the primary route, however I’m so glad I did. There was an incredible waterfall there and a canyon brought on by a feminine troll known as Kola. Whether or not you consider in trolls or not, you can not deny the canyon was stunning and I loved taking part in with the drone there.

The campsite for the evening is in a subject… which might be effective besides it’s presupposed to rain all evening. Let’s hope I can get out safely within the morning!