Iceland. The name inspires.
./../img/photos/iceland/022_090717_pingvallavatn.jpgRainer and I were on the way to Iceland. The mere name Iceland inspired.
On the way to Pingvellir
./../img/photos/iceland/027_090717_pingvellir.jpgFirst we cycled inland. More precisely to Pingvellir.
Pingvellir: A historic place
./../img/photos/iceland/030_090717_pingvellir.jpgPingvellir is a very historic place. A lot of history happened here. In addition it is a meeting point of two tectonic plates.
Tectonic plate shift
./../img/photos/iceland/047_090718_strokkur.jpgBecause of the tectonic plate shift the soil in Iceland is very active.
Geyser Strokkur
./../img/photos/iceland/048_090718_strokkur_part1.jpgThere are, for example, many geysers. Such as the Strokkur.
Geyser Strokkur
./../img/photos/iceland/049_090718_strokkur.jpgHe is still very active. Unlike its neighbor, the geyser "Geyser". Yes, the name "Geyser" comes from this geyser. But it only erupts once every two years.
Surrounding
./../img/photos/iceland/052_090718_geysirarea.jpg052_090718_geysirarea.jpgAt other places it bubbles vigorously or even smoke.
It’s bubbling
./../img/photos/iceland/060_090718_geysirarea.jpgIt is tempting to warm up your hands in the hot water. But probably not a good idea.
Waterfall Gullfoss
./../img/photos/iceland/075_090718_gullfoss.jpgOne of the great waterfalls is Gullfoss. Even in the numbers of tourists. And that means something in Iceland. There are not so many of them.
Fording
./../img/photos/iceland/105_090718_waygullfosstohaifoss.jpgFording is part of the fun cycling through Iceland. Here the water temperature was still OK. That should change later on.
Horse Encounters
./../img/photos/iceland/113_090718_waygullfosstohaifoss.jpgYou do not meet so many people or animals in the highlands. But if they do, it's always a pleasant surprise.
On the way to the highlands
./../img/photos/iceland/123_090719_waygullfosstohaifoss.jpgOn the way to the highlands. Slowly the weather is turning ugly.
Not far from Haifoss
./../img/photos/iceland/131_090719_haifoss.jpgActually it was more of a coincidence that we have come to Haifoss. The Haifoss is not nearly as well known as the Gullfoss.
Waterfall Haifoss
./../img/photos/iceland/136_090719_haifoss.jpgAlthough I find Haifoss better. On the one hand there are hardly any tourists.
Haifoss again
./../img/photos/iceland/144_090720_haifosstohrauneyjar.jpgOn the other hand it is higher and more condensed.
Hurricane
./../img/photos/iceland/145_090720_haifosstohrauneyjar.jpgFor two days the wind turned into a Hurricane. It was so stormy that we weren’t able to put up the tent. So we had to spend the night in a rain pipe.
It is still far
./../img/photos/iceland/146_090720_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgThe next day it was stormy again. It had started just after Gullfoss. And with the storm the sign is not really fun. But we hadn’t had a chance. So tighten the jackets and off we went.
Reward
./../img/photos/iceland/147_090720_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgDespite the storm, or should I rather say hurricane, the landscape rewarded us.
Next night in a rain tube
./../img/photos/iceland/154_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgIt was still far to windy to put up the tent.
Complete exhaustion
./../img/photos/iceland/155_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgFor several days we had full headwind. Slowly but surely, it went to our substance.
Continental drift
./../img/photos/iceland/160_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgOnce we crossed from one to another continental plate. In this case from America to Europe.
Still full headwind
./../img/photos/iceland/166_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgAlthough the scenery makes up for much the headwind has really demotivating.
Sprengisandur
./../img/photos/iceland/175_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgWe went on the Sprengisandur.
Volcanic landscape
./../img/photos/iceland/195_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgThe Sprengisandur leads straight across the island and through the middle of the highlands. And like everywhere else in Iceland plenty of volcanoes are around you.
Room with a View
./../img/photos/iceland/196_090721_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgThe storm was still ongoing. Luckily we found a deep valley, so we could put up the tent this time.
After a noisy night
./../img/photos/iceland/209_090722_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgAfter a noisy night in the tent the next morning was looking much better.
Floret
./../img/photos/iceland/235_090722_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgWhenever there is water (in the highlands it does not appear as often as you might think) it was colourful. Everywhere flowers.
On the way to Nyidalur
./../img/photos/iceland/248_090722_sprengisandur_hrauneyjartonyidalur.jpgStill, we were on our way on the Sprengisandur to Nyidalur.
Winter in Nyidalur
./../img/photos/iceland/268_090723_sprengisandur_nyidalur.jpgWe were glad that the hurricane finally turned into a storm.
Sprengisandur
./../img/photos/iceland/274_090723_sprengisandur_nyidalur.jpgIt started to snow heavily.
All covered in white
./../img/photos/iceland/296_090723_sprengisandur_nyidalur.jpgSuddenly everything was covered in white. But of course this has a good side too. The mountains looked gorgeous with the peaks.
Yes, it was cold
./../img/photos/iceland/297_090724_sprengisandur_nyidalur.jpgIt did not take long and even the water was frozen.
Vastness
./../img/photos/iceland/303_090724_sprengisandur_nyidalurtoaldeyjarfoss.jpgAfter 1 1/2 days off we set off north via the Sprengisandur.
Good cycling
./../img/photos/iceland/318_090724_sprengisandur_nyidalurtoaldeyjarfoss.jpgThe storm had now diminished a bit. We even had some blue sky. And that happens not too often in the highlands of Iceland.
Towards the coast
./../img/photos/iceland/331_090724_sprengisandur_nyidalurtoaldeyjarfoss.jpgNow it was not far anymore. Tomorrow we should be at the sea.
Rainer’s favourite hobby
./../img/photos/iceland/347_090725_sprengisandur_rainershobby.jpgI was lucky and had not a single flat tire. Rainer was not so lucky. At the end the two tubes were covered with many patches. How many? No idea. Rainer had eventually stopped counting.
Husavik
./../img/photos/iceland/370_090726_husavik_whalewatching.jpgIt was almost midsummer when we were in Husavik. We were very lucky as there was a folk festival in town. They set up some food and drink stalls. It was a long, long night.
Whale Watching in Husavik
./../img/photos/iceland/377_090726_husavik_whalewatching.jpgOne of the attractions in Husavik are the whales. An attraction I did not want to miss.
Lost hut
./../img/photos/iceland/384_090726_husavik_whalewatching.jpgThe mountain illustrates the proportions.
Runway
./../img/photos/iceland/391_090726_husavik_whalewatching.jpgWhat a picture perfect take off.
Harbour of Husavik
./../img/photos/iceland/396_090726_husavik.jpgThe port of Husavik. Husavik is one of the largest cities on the north coast.
Cliffs
./../img/photos/iceland/419_090727_husaviktoasbyrgi.jpgThere is still a steep stretch of coastline on which can run directly on the edge.
Vesturdalur
./../img/photos/iceland/430_090728_jokulsargljufurnp_vesturdalur.jpgNext we went to Vesturdalur.
Karl og Kerling
./../img/photos/iceland/435_090728_jokulsargljufurnp_karlogkerling.jpgWhat a bizarre area around Charles og Kerling.
An different World
./../img/photos/iceland/436_090728_jokulsargljufurnp_karlogkerling.jpgThe Karl og Kerling is like from another world.
Hljodaklettar
./../img/photos/iceland/443_090728_jokulsargljufurnp_hljodaklettar.jpgThe Hljóðaklettar is just as bizarre.
Dettifoss Waterfall.
./../img/photos/iceland/451_090728_jokulsargljufurnp_dettifoss.jpgEven an Icelander freeze with respect due to the force of the waterfall Dettifoss. Gigantic mass of water drops over the edge every second.
Mosquito lake Myvatn
./../img/photos/iceland/483_090729_myvatn_hverir.jpgFirst had respect for the Myvatn lake. He is known for its mosquito.
Bubbling at Hverir
./../img/photos/iceland/503_090729_myvatn_hverir.jpgHverir is another sites which excels in variety of colours. And besides the colour bubbles and steams it anywhere.
Krafla
./../img/photos/iceland/506_090729_myvatn_krafla.jpgKrafla and plays in the same league as Hverir.
Krafla
./../img/photos/iceland/514_090729_myvatn_krafla.jpgThe area around Krafla is very active. Therefore, there is also a large geothermal power station.
Kerlingarfjoll
./../img/photos/iceland/813_090804_kjalvegur_kerlingarfjoll.jpgAnd then we went on the north coast before heading down into the highlands again. There we heard about Kerlingarfjoll. The area is very colourful again. Just a pity that the weather is not that good. The colours are shining much nicer when they are illuminated by the sun. But every now and then we had luck and it the colour was even more intense.
