We start our trip in Keflavík where we had our first night after arriving. I take a short walk through the town, which seems pretty quiet. On the next morning, we mount our tour bus and drive along the peninsula towards Reykjavík. But we just drive past it, as we plan to visit it on our last day.
We continue our trip eastbound, more specifically, to Nesjavellir. There we can see the second largest thermal power plant of Iceland; it supplies the Reykjavík area. We take a hiking trail through the foggy landscape.
Now we commence with the Gullni Hringurinn, the Golden Circle: First is Þingvellir (Thingvellir), the most important national park of Iceland. 1000 years ago, Vikings assembled regularly in this plain. Þingvellir is located on a rift between the tectonic plates, which can easily be seen by the steep rock walls.
Soon we arrive at our next stop, Haukadalur, the "valley of the hawks". We don't see hawks, but something much more exciting, the geysers. Only Strokkur is active at this time, but regularly every some minutes. Steams burts out of the ground everywhere.
After another 10 kms we stand in front of the Gullfoss, the "golden waterfall". I'll not go too far to the edge because you (and the camera) will get really wet. The view is better from some distance, anyway.
Our last stop for this day is a farm house for tomatoes called Friðheimar. Yes, tomatoes are grown here, not far from the polar circle. An army of hot and bright lamps care for the required light - and it seems to work indeed.
After all those impressions we drive to our hotel in Laugarvatn. It is a hotel from the Edda chain, managed by the Iceland university, a plain accomodation, not much luxury. But surely comfortable enough.
Public pictures
Video clips
I can offer some video clips for this part of the trip.
