Sun & Surf in Iceland

Initially we were thinking of taking it easy around Reykjavik but I was still feeling we hadn’t experience the ocean in our travels so far.  Checking into the things to do in West Iceland we decided to head northwest toward the most photographed mountain in Iceland, or so it said.  Once out of Reykjavik there is really not much for people....a few farms the odd small community, gas station and store.  In between its a mix between the volcanic flows of Hawaii and the prairies in Canada.  It definitely has a northern Canada feel, or at least what I think it would be like with shrub brush and scree slopes.  Put that together with high volcanic mountains with lots of ice and you have Iceland.  The other notable condition is the wind.  It seems it’s always windy but then again if that’s the price for beautiful blue skies, I’ll take it.  So with the kids crashed in the back we headed north to see the west coast of the country.

The first interesting site was just north of Reykjavík where there were lots of signs we couldn’t understand and next thing we’re going under water in a tunnel.  Six kilometres later we popped up on the other side to find a toll booth, 1000 krona which is roughly $10 cdn but well worth the short cut as it was almost one hour detour around the inlet.  Up through a mountain pass with the little rental car shaking away, and over the top into the little fishing town.  There are these crazy estuaries that go way inland so they build their highways on a dyke with a bridge in the middle.  Under the bridge the water is just cranking

as the tides move 6 meters from high to low.  The current ripping upstream looked pretty wild and combine that with the wind it makes for some choppy, unfriendly looking waters.

We stopped off at the most photographed mountain for a quick run up the boardwalk.  Once again the wind was whipping to the point you have to open the car doors very slowly or they rip out of your hand and try to rip themselves from their hinges.  A photo shoot with the budding artist, Alyssa and trying to cross the bridge over the falls without getting too wet and we were back in the car.  The wind was so strong there were a number of waterfalls that weren’t falling, they were going up!

We decided to take a short cut up and over the next pass to find this incredible high plateau that still had a pile of snow.  We only had a few kilometres of gravel road but in our tiny little car, we had to drive pretty carefully.  Around the corner and started to head down we found the perfect tobogganing slope.  This was where we invented the next new Icelandic sport.... dadsledding!  Alyssa

didn’t quite have enough weight to get going very fast but combined with her dad, we had lots of gravity.  It even made for the new chiropractic adjustment for the old back!

Back in the car to drop back to sea level where we found this incredible beach down a small side road.  There was tonnes of fishing floats and net debris and an awesome round cobble beach.  We decided to stop for a little sun bathing (we had the whole beach to ourselves!) and a kick back to listen to the waves rolling in.  About as close as we’ll get to Greenland on this trip. 

Back in Reykjavik, we decided to find a restaurant.  Once again the kids wanted to hit a pizzeria and dad decided to try the Icelandic brew.  It was so good, I had to buy some more to share with Rich in England (the beer that is).  Had some incredible pizza and then we got sweet talked into finding some gelato.  Back to the room to organize and pack for the flight first thing tomorrow.  And so ends the time in Iceland, next stop England!!!