Northern Iceland with a Camper

August 27, 2023

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My vanlife highway 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 sudden!

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

That is the issue with having mounted factors in your highway 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 sudden 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 night time.

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

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 brilliant however the scent is horrific. I might nonetheless scent it hours later- undoubtedly convey a masks with you!

On the way in which to my subsequent cease, Dettifoss waterfall, I ended 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+ nations this fashion 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 pretty chatting to fellow travellers about their experiences all over the world.

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

Ended the night time in a campsite by the lake, which sounds pretty 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 the very best spa lagoon in Iceland.

I made a decision to just 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 lovely, fashionable and smooth, whereas Geospa was a bit of 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 adorned for Christmas all yr and it filled 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, definitely worth the detour to study a bit in regards to 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 scorching tubs proper on the seashore (one in all them is a viking ship!) and am presently in a campsite simply down the highway from my subsequent adventure- whale watching!!

Fortunately, the climate appears to be enjoying good and the ocean is flat calm, so I hope we will probably 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 at present 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 a whole bunch 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) however it was a bit of 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 eternally. For those who go, undoubtedly do the rib tour- you get a lot nearer to the whales then the larger boats- and might 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 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 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 direction of the western fjords. The earlier part of route 1 from Egilsstadir to Akureyi was underwhelming, however this part in 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 at present. I nearly didn’t trouble, because it was off the principle route, however I’m so glad I did.

There was an awesome waterfall there and a canyon attributable to a feminine troll referred to as Kola. Whether or not you consider in trolls or not, you can’t deny the canyon was lovely and I loved enjoying with the drone there.

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