Iceland 2018
What to say about Iceland!
Busy would some it up.
The tourism industry is out of control. Given that there is really only the outer circle route that is available to the hords, you cannot escape the masses at the main tourist spots after ten am. Prior to ten the independent traveler (camper based) can be at the best spots while the others are having their breakfast at their chosen hotel.
The scenery reminded us of the altiplano in Bolivia, with added water, and crowds. Barren and starkly beautiful.
Ten day's I felt was more than enough for a good look around. And take a full wallet, as the prices are through the roof. By far the most expensive place we have ever overlanded.
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| This is where the American and European plates are parting. |
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| Gullfoss Waterfall on the Golden Circle drive. |
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| Stunning river on a back road. |
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| A small remote hot water spring being enjoyed by these young couples. I had about six layers of clothes on. It was extremely windy and freezing. You don't have to be mad but it helps. |
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| This waterfall was just on the side of the road. Impressive! |
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| All the way around the island this escarpment was on our left with farm houses nestled in at the base. Marking the start of the central plateau. |
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| Just one of the many glaciers near the road in the south. |
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| One of the small villages on the narrow strip of arable land around the outside of Iceland. |
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| Finally we see some Puffins and we didn't even have to hike for miles along a windy cliff to see them. |
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| The Puffins were just out on this grassy rock at the start of a fjord. |
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| Wow! Another stunner. |
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| The unique Icelandic horse bought over by the Vikings. Just about every farm has a herd of them. No other breed is allowed to be imported into Iceland so as to keep the breed pure. I was getting all warm and fuzzy about these cute shaggy guys until I read that they eat over nine thousand of them a year. No wonder we didn't see many cattle these horses and the viking sheep handle the harsh conditions better. |
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We were lucky to see this Rock Ptarmigan on one of our many hikes.
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| Geitafoss one of dozens of amazing waterfalls. |
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| One of the few campgrounds that we stayed in. We managed to bush camp most of the time which was a special experience in this fantastic landscape. |
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| Water gushing out of a lava field a spectacular sight. |
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| Icebergs in a glacial lake in the south. |
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| The Blue Lagoon not far from Reykjavik I had to be careful not to get the thermal power plant in this shot. We were disappointed that this once stunning lake system now had an ugly power plant and a spa hotel dominating it. |
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| Huge lava fields covered in moss was an unusual sight on our drive around the island. It was near here in the south that we had to hurry through the black sand zone as extremely strong winds were forecast. The camper hire company warned us that these conditions could result in paint being sand blasted off the vehicle which could be expensive for us. |
