The morning light sparkled on the ducks and seals enjoying the small inlet outside of our Inn. We took this as a harbinger of another great day.
Our first stop was the Raudfeldsgja Gorge. From the road and even from the parking area, it just looked like a crack in the lava mountain. However, after about a ten minute walk up the sloped, stony and very slick mountain (due to the recent snow and cold temperatures) there is a babbling stream with big stepping stones to the gorge entrance. Once inside, the gorge is cathedral like and it continues on to a place where you can climb up to a waterfall. There is an Icelandic Saga which tells a tale of a half man, half troll Barour Snafellsas, He was angered by his two nephews and after taking care of both of them, he went mad and now lives in “a cave”, we did not stick around to see if it was this cave!
Arnarstapi is close to the tip of the peninsula and has a large sculpture of Barour which leads to a natural bridge and steep stunning lava cliffs which meet the ocean. Besides going mad and living in a cave, it appears that Barour is a protector of the area.
A small costal town just past Arnarstapi is filled with creative and colorful murals. We enjoyed looking at them and then having a delicious local lunch at a mom and son run restaurant.
Fortified with a delicious lunch, our next beach stop was filled with shiny black pebbles that shimmered like black pearls. Djupalonssandur has wreckage from a stranded ship on the shore. Our guide let us know that most of it has been taken away by scavengers. We were told it is very meditative and relaxing to lay on the stones at this beach, so we did…and it was.
We also were witness to the ancient fisherman’s lifting test. There were four progressively larger stones on the ground. Depending on the ability to lift and place the stone on a a raised stone platform, the share of fish would be determined. Let’s just say we would need to find another source of protein for dinner!
Continuing around the peninsula we stopped to see the rock pillars at Londrangar. The stunning remains of a volcanic crater, the pair of volcanic basalt rock plugs that have been formed from erosion.
There are of course, many lighthouses along the rocky shores of Iceland. The Svortuloft Lighthouse was built in the 1930s and has a visitor center with interpretive displays about the fishing life as well as marine and shore flora and fauna.
As we approached Kirkjufell mountain, it did not appear to be of daunting height or even beautiful. However, as we got closer it proved to be incredibly steep. There is a “money shot” of the mountain from across the road and at a low level. Here, there are lovely waterfalls and the Mountain view from Game of Thrones and many an instagram post. As we were returning to the car, the adjacent farms horses seemed intrigued with us. This time we were able to have an up close and personal interaction with the sweet Icelandic horses.
It was easy to spot the Berserkjahraun lava field on our way back to Reykjavik. The moss-covered rocks and spikes of lava are mesmerizing.
A late dinner in Reykjavik at a local pub was sensational. The menu had everything from Whale fin to sheep’s head…we were fine with Icelandic lamb and fish.
It was another day filled with superlatives. The wonders and the beauty always deliver.
Where is Wendy 