Iceland Part II: South Coast and Jökulsárlón

We picked up our car the morning after landing in Iceland (had an excellent experience renting a Ford Escape from Go Iceland, but more on that later) and headed out of the Reykjanes Peninsula and along the southern coast. Our first stop on what we began calling our Waterfall Tour of Iceland - Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind! Yes, tour buses stop here, but they don't stay for long, so you can wait them out easily. Definitely take the time to walk the slippery path behind the waterfall and to explore the area around it. Be prepared to get wet, and definitely wrap your camera gear in an all weather cover. 

All adventure-y with the rainbow behind Seljalandsfoss

The fellow and the waterfall

Exploring the path away from Seljalandsfoss

Our roadside game of "Spot the Waterfall" was endlessly successful too:

I did a lot of research and planning for this trip (more on that later, with some links I found super useful), and became moderately obsessed with getting to see Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. However, I knew it was quite a haul along the southern coast and was hesitant because I didn't want it to create any sort of time pressure. But when we arrived in Vik with several hours of sunlight remaining (hooray for spring/summer daylight hours in Iceland!), we decided to just go for it. And I'm so glad we did! Our four hour round trip through the constantly changing landscape was beautiful, and the glacier lagoon was breathtakingly surreal.

We actually spotted the glacier first, and to say I was excited would have been an understatement. Like a kid with snow on Christmas, people. I'll let the pictures convince you though.

Oh, you know, just part of a glacier. Floating around. As they do.

We arrived around 8pm, well after the tours and cafe had closed up shop for the evening, but there was plenty of daylight left to explore the shoreline of the lagoon when only a few other people were there too.

We also watched arctic sparrows catching fish for their dinner - there must have been a nesting site on the other side of the lagoon, because they kept flying overhead with tiny fish in their beaks. Drove back to Vik exhausted and thrilled, making it back just as the last bit of light checked out for the night.

Iceland Adventure Part I

One year ago today, I was on a plane to Reykjavik (with the fellow, oh la la) for a week long adventure in Iceland. Wish I was there now! But since that's not in the cards for the moment, I'll be reminiscing and sharing pictures and tips for those of you planning your own Icelandic adventure. Hope you enjoy!

As you probably already suspect, Iceland is amazingly beautiful like WHOA.

Our first stop was the Blue Lagoon, which is probably already on your list, unless you think it's too touristy, in which case I urge you to reconsider your views. I am so glad we started our week in Iceland with a refreshingly relaxing day floating around the Blue Lagoon. From landing at Reykjavik, you can be there within two hours, and it was such a lovely way to jump straight into holiday mode. Yes, there are other thermal spas in Iceland, and they are absolutely worth checking out as well. (I totally have a list ready for next time.) We splurged a little bit and went for the ticket package that included fluffy robes in which we lunched like champions in the Lava Restaurant (so, so good!). After a hectic few weeks, the day spent soaking here was the perfect way to start our adventure. I imagine it would also be excellent as a last day in Iceland activity. Pro tip: you can get a sunburn here. One of us learned this the hard way. Cough, cough, not me, cough.

Another fun tip: if you want photos from your visit, but are hesitant to bring your DSLR into the waters (a warning on the website says the steam "corrodes cameras nicely"), consider bringing along a waterproof disposable camera. The photo below is from a little Kodak that worked really well for capturing the vibe of the day. Feeling fancier? Photojojo has an iPhone Super Suit that is waterproof and provides cushion for little falls - not that any of us have ever been guilty of dropping our phones...

Stay at the Northern Lights Inn. It is within view of and very easy walking distance of the Blue Lagoon, although it is not the hotel directly next to the lagoon. Dinner in their restaurant was lovely (get the fish, whatever it is!) and the rooms were clean and modern. The Northern Lights Inn also very kindly arranged airport transfers for us, so we were able to go an extra day sans rental car.

View from the Northern Lights Inn

We were there in May, so we didn't see any Aurora Borealis action, but there is the potential to spot the Northern Lights from the inn at appropriate times of year. (It's far enough away from city lights.) I wouldn't say no to another visit *insert wanderlusty puppy dog eyes here*...

Part II of the Icelandic adventure coming tomorrow!