Northern Iceland with a Camper

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

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Iceland Day 5- this was surprising!

I stared on the map, feeling annoyed. I should be in Husavik on Tuesday morning… and there simply aren’t sufficient hours to do the whole lot I need to do on the way in which.

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

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 further days to see all of the issues alongside the way in which.

I set off on a 4 hour drive with just a few 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 might nonetheless scent it hours later- positively carry a masks with you!

On the way in which to my subsequent cease, Dettifoss waterfall, I finished to select 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 fashion and has plans to go to Iraq in just a few 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. Anticipate to get very moist although, particularly in order for you pictures 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!

Vanlife in northern Iceland

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 exhausting… by spending a LOT of time over the previous two days soaking in deliciously heat water.

The 2 I’ve tried to this point had been very shut to one another: Forest Lagoon in Akureyi and Geospa in Husavik. Forest lagoon was stunning, fashionable and modern, whereas Geospa was a little bit 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 12 months and it stuffed with items and treats.)
Laufás Museum and heritage website. 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 concerning the historical past and tradition of the world.
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 sizzling tubs proper on the seaside (one in every of them is a viking ship!) and am presently in a campsite simply down the street from my subsequent adventure- whale watching!!

Fortunately, the climate appears to be enjoying good and the ocean is flat calm, so I hope we shall be profitable in seeing the whales. Verify 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 concerning the rib alternative (seasick and never an enormous fan of deep water) but it surely was AMAZING. The climate was sunny and sea was calm as we headed out.

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

Then we went out into the nice blue to attempt to discover whales. I hadn’t actually considered it earlier than (in spite of everything, these creatures are HUGE) but it surely was a little bit 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 endlessly. If you happen to go, positively do the rib tour- you get a lot nearer to the whales then the larger boats- and may get there quicker.

After this epic begin (and a crepe to heat up!) I headed off to one thing else I used to be excited about- a sizzling spring waterfall. It is a pretty new attraction, and is presently 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 be able to sit in. It was magical- particularly once 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 finished 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 awesome waterfall there and a canyon attributable to a feminine troll known as Kola. Whether or not you consider in trolls or not, you can’t deny the canyon was stunning and I loved enjoying with the drone there.

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