Today, the program is rather loose. Breakfast in the room with the super market supplies and then drove to the city for a walk. There was a festival going on, celebrating the 150 years of the city of Akureyri. There were kindergarten kids everywhere, all dressed in yellow reflective jackets, quite a spectacle.
We left the car in a parking area where there was a sign to inform us that we could get the required paper-clock – that marks the arrival time – at the local bank. In the bank they explained us that it does not cost anything and you just have to place it on the windshield, but it is only good for one hour. Weird system but we appreciated the free parking. And it was not the only free one. In the bank they served free coffee. Yes, absolutely free, you enter get over the coffee counter, fill your cup and leave 🙂
We drove back to Mývatn and continued to Dettifoss, through snow capped lava fields.
Snow capped lava field in August
Detifoss is allegedly the most powerful waterfall in Europe, 100m wide and 45m high. The rough waters fall with tremendous power that take your breath away and the water spray is visible from 1km away! It was very cold – it snowed the night before – but I managed to descend until the end to admire the view and take some pictures.
Dettifoss
On the way back we walked close to the Selfoss waterfall (just 10 min away), smaller but also impressive.
Sellfoss, the waterfall next to Dettifoss
We took 862 north – all dirt – to Asbyrgi through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and in about 10km we stop at Hljóðaklettar – it means echoing rocks. Basaltic rocks, 30-40m high erect from the river and the banks, their surfaces made of smooth black pentagons. Totally alien.
We did not stay for long because it was raining and the girls stayed back in the car and we continued to Husavik. Beautiful drive, among farms and herds of sheep and horses.
We arrived before sunset, in the golden hour and spend some good time to take pictures in the port. Then we dined in the cozy Gamli Baukur bistro, right on the port. Very tasty fish soup and cod.
We checked in Fosshotel Husavik, a forgettable establishment with 70s aesthetics, except that I ll remember it forever as it is the place where I drank the most expensive alcoholic beverage in my life. It was already 11pm and the bar was closing and Vassilis and I wanted to smoke one before we went to sleep. We quickly ordered two double Lagavulin malts only to discover that the bartender charged us €33 per glass! That is, thirty three euros to drink a glass of whiskey, out in the cold backyard of a basic hotel in a town with 2200 population. Only Iceland can offer you this experience. Next: Whales of the North