Iceland: Dimmuborgir, Godafoss, Akureyri, Airplane!

July 25th began with our last visit in the Mývatn area, to Dimmuborgir, an area of volcanic caves and formations.

And the home of the Yule Lads. It being July, they were not in residence.

The view from the parking area back to the lake.

Into the strange landscape.

Climbing to the lair of the Yule Lads.

They haven't left much behind. Come back in December!

Along the way flowers, including orchids, bloomed in the sheltered locations.

Climbing to a keyhole.

It's bigger than it looks.

The view on the far side. The charcoal-colored mound is Hverfjall, a tuff ring from a volcanic explosion about 2500 years ago.

Our last view back down into the winding paths of Dimmuborgir. Some of the rock formations are supposed to resemble troll faces, but that's a stretch.

Next stop, another famous waterfall, Goðafoss. On the way we halted the van to observe a Great Northern Diver, or common loon.

The sign at Goðafoss. There is some controversy about the story of Þorgeir throwing his Norse idols into the river when Iceland adopted Christianity, circa 1000; it could be a 19th Century story that was so good it gained widespread adoption (see previous link).

Approaching the falls along the right (west) side.

One of the first things we noticed was an odd photoshoot on the riverbank below the falls.

Closer.

The more nimble among us dashed down to a footbridge just upstream of the highway crossing and then up the other bank.

The river flows from lower left to upper right. North at top.

Running upstream towards the falls.

A panoramic view from the east bank.

Dash to Akureyri, the largest city in Iceland outside the heavily populated southwest. There's the new option of a tunnel to avoid going around a mountain as you approach Akureyri from the east; interestingly, you can pay the toll for the tunnel online anytime before or up to three hours after your transit.

We went around the mountain, had an orientation drive through downtown, and then it was lunchtime!

The lobby sported a several-foot-tall Alvin the Chipmunk figure, left over from a movie promotion and adopted by the restaurant.

After lunch we were free to wander to gawk, to shop, to do whatever we wished. Joan and I and two others hoofed it to the Akureyri Botanical Garden. There's a lot to see, requiring more than a quick visit to take it all in properly.

There are Icelandic and Arctic sections. Here is a view in the Arctic.

A collage of flowers elsewhere in the garden.

There was also bird life, including this meadow pipit.

From the lower sections we could see sailing lessons taking place.

Then it was time to wander down the hill towards the conference and cultural center, our rendezvous spot. On the way, we investigated the main church.

We hung back until a wedding rehearsal (street dress) was finished.

A few moments on the shopping street.

Souvenirs, anyone?

Our rendezvous.

When our troupe had reassembled Solveig, our top-notch Icelandic guide/driver, motored us to a high viewpoint, where we had celebratory drinks and snacks. It was Barry and Susanna's anniversary, and a farewell to Solveig.

The view towards the harbor.

Looking towards the airport, our next stop, with a runway constructed atop fill.

Do not veer off into the fjord.

Solveig dropped us off at the airport and, after we said our goodbyes, turned the van back towards Reykjavik. The group was going to Reykjavik too, but by plane. Our next section of the journey would be in the Westfjords, the most remote and most time-consuming region in Iceland to reach by land. It was more practical to fly to Reykjavik, spend the night in the hotel, and then fly to Ísafjörður, in the Westfjords, the next morning.

The aircraft had a notebook in each seatback so that every passenger could record the impressions of their journey. A younger point of view was recorded in Joan's. Click on the image to enlarge.

You absolutely must read this.

On landing in Reykjavik we dashed to dinner, and at the hotel I was able to reclaim the rain jacket I had left behind at the outset of our journey.

NatHab kept us so busy today our heads were spinning even as we fell asleep.