For our final two days in Akureyri we rented a car to visit all the natural wonders of Northern Iceland. Still very cold, highs around 20F, dropping to 0F as we gain elevation. Roads are good, all cars have studded tires so even though many roads are icy, travel is routine. Our first stop is Godafoss, the most spectacular waterfall in Iceland. Since the geothermal activity is so intense in this part of the island many views are partially obscured by steam, impressive none the less. Below, a view of Akureyri.
We continue to Namaskard. Here ground water is heated by an underground magma intrusion. Smells of sulphur. Again, you can see where the sun is all day. It goes up to that level in the morning, stays there all day, then goes down.
Continuing to drive by Hverfjall. A circular explosion crater; one of the largest in the world. It is about 500 feet deep and almost a mile in diameter. One sees why so many movies are filmed here. Otherwordly.
Our final destination are the hot baths of Myvatn. As with all of this type of bathing in Iceland, a routine. You pay your fee to get a locker, then outside of the changing room, you remove your shoes and walk sock-footed to the locker room, you remove your multiple layers of clothes, then, with every one else, a full shower, naked. You then put on your swimmers and head out to the baths. The only problem with this routine in Myvatn is that it is 0F and when you walk outside wet you freeze immediately. Also, when you are sitting in the hot water, whatever isn’t submerged freezes as well. Gloria’s hair from the steam that freezes on everything.
And finally, some great Northern Lights.
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