Iceland: Day 14

Our last full day in Iceland – hitting the very south-west part of the country and driving around the volcanic wonderland of the Reykjanes peninsula and going spelunking.

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Þingvellir

Site of the Alþingi, the first Icelandic parliament, and some of the most spectactular geologic formations — the rift valley along the mid-Atlantic ridge.

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Stöng

A 12th century ruin, excavated from volcanic ash, is a perfect example of a saga-era Viking farmstread.

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Hjálparfoss

Unique columnar basalt formations and a twin waterfall falling into a rounded pool make this a lovely place to stop.

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Gaukshöfði

A small detour from the Rte 32, a steep climb up the rocky cliffs — and you’re rewarded with fabulous views over the wide aquamarine Þjorsá river. In the distance is the low mound of Hekla volcano.

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Fluðir

Beautiful views along the road from Fluðir.

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Urriðafoss

The highest volume waterfall in Iceland — a shallow, wide cataract over the Þjórsá River, just off Route 1.

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Drinking the Water

Mark emerged from diving in the Silfra rift and announced that the dive was amazing, the water was freezing, and it tasted fantastic. Every traveler knows the rule: don’t drink the water. It’s true in so many places around the world. It’s not always that the water is bad, but it’s different than what you are used […]

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Eating Hamburgers

What’s not to love about a good hamburger and fries? Take note, though — picking it up in both hands and eating it is considered gauche. Eat them with a knife and fork.

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Iceland: Day 13

Since my chance to see the Þingvellir and the  Almannagjá rift in anything resembling sunshine yesterday vanished in a drizzling rain, they are on our schedule again for today. While Mark was diving at Silfra, I waited too long while the sun was coming out and by the time I started to wander up to […]

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