Iceland Day 5
Too many things seen on this day. We first started with a nice breakfast at our hotel, were the first ones there, and got an early-bird start to the day. We traveled to the quaint fjord town of Fáskrúðsfjörður, saw an amazing unnamed waterfall, and drove through the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi. We followed that up with Dettifoss, Selfoss, Námaskarð Pass, and Dimmuborgir. A huge variety of sights to see that would require too much text to explain here. We ended the day in the lovely northern town of Húsavík.
Drive to Fáskrúðsfjörður
This town was very interesting, as it is one of many situated on a fjord in eastern Iceland. The cloud cover gave the small fjord the appearance of being a small, domed-in city surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, and a tangible sense of isolation.
This town was very interesting, as it is one of many situated on a fjord in eastern Iceland. The cloud cover gave the small fjord the appearance of being a small, domed-in city surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, and a tangible sense of isolation.
The Unnamed Waterfall
On our way along the eastern side of Iceland, headed inland to reach Lake Mývatn, we stumbled upon a huge waterfall that was just too majestic not to have a name. After much research, it appears that it, in fact, doesn't. There was a small, steep trail along the side of it, which Scott took to reach the top of the waterfall. There was another waterfall upstream that could be seen at the top of the unnamed fall (not pictured; Amy had the camera).
On our way along the eastern side of Iceland, headed inland to reach Lake Mývatn, we stumbled upon a huge waterfall that was just too majestic not to have a name. After much research, it appears that it, in fact, doesn't. There was a small, steep trail along the side of it, which Scott took to reach the top of the waterfall. There was another waterfall upstream that could be seen at the top of the unnamed fall (not pictured; Amy had the camera).
On our way to Dettifoss
Passing through the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi. The impressive peak, Mt. Herðubreið could be seen along the drive.
Passing through the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi. The impressive peak, Mt. Herðubreið could be seen along the drive.
Dettifoss and Selfoss
Dettifoss is known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe. We waited around for a while to wait for the sun to beam through the clouds to give us the well-known rainbow that Amy so desperately wanted to see. She was not disappointed! We followed it up with a quick trip to Selfoss, which is the waterfall a short hike upstream of Dettifoss. The terrain while traveling to these waterfalls was interesting as well.
Dettifoss is known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe. We waited around for a while to wait for the sun to beam through the clouds to give us the well-known rainbow that Amy so desperately wanted to see. She was not disappointed! We followed it up with a quick trip to Selfoss, which is the waterfall a short hike upstream of Dettifoss. The terrain while traveling to these waterfalls was interesting as well.
Námaskarð Pass
Námaskarð Pass is a geothermal area of boiling mud pools natural containing sulfur hydroxide, making the entire area smell of hot, rotten boiled eggs. This is where boiling mud pools and flashing colors of the pass merge with lava and ash from the Krafla volcanic system. One of the most unique sights we have ever seen (and smelled)!
Námaskarð Pass is a geothermal area of boiling mud pools natural containing sulfur hydroxide, making the entire area smell of hot, rotten boiled eggs. This is where boiling mud pools and flashing colors of the pass merge with lava and ash from the Krafla volcanic system. One of the most unique sights we have ever seen (and smelled)!
Dimmuborgir
This place is definitely unique. It is a very strange collection of rock formations and miniature hills that seem to go on forever. There were multiple trails through the area, so of course, Amy and I decided to take the longest trek. This is one place in particular that cannot be captured very well with a camera. You'd have to be there to get the right sense of aura and scale. Also, there are apparently guys that dress up as Dimmuborgir trolls/elves (or something), that randomly pop out from behind rocks during certain times of the year.
This place is definitely unique. It is a very strange collection of rock formations and miniature hills that seem to go on forever. There were multiple trails through the area, so of course, Amy and I decided to take the longest trek. This is one place in particular that cannot be captured very well with a camera. You'd have to be there to get the right sense of aura and scale. Also, there are apparently guys that dress up as Dimmuborgir trolls/elves (or something), that randomly pop out from behind rocks during certain times of the year.