Today we are heading to Vik with many stops on the way, to experience more glaciers, strange looking mountains and waterfalls. The weather had turned real nasty. Gusty winds and heavy rain. Hope it got better as the day evolved.
From Eastern Region to Southern Region – Good road and scenic vista that is a trademark of Iceland!
Route Maps for today
Many Farms & Ranches Along the way
Many Farms & Ranches Along the way
Approaching Fjallsarlon – More Glaciers
As we pulled into the parking lot of the visitor center, it rained dogs and cats.
Next we moved on to the Hvannadalshukur (name of Mountain that has glaciers) Area for many more Glaciers. Within 30 to 40 minute drive, we came across several areas worthy to explore. That we did.
Now at Fjallsarlon
At Fjallsarlon – A Heart Shaped Glacier!
Fjallsarlon – Note a glaciers lagoon in front
Moving west along Route 1 further, we were at Visitor Information Sign Board of Hvannadalshukur.
At the Hvannadalshukur – See the fingers of glaciers from afar
One of the fingers reaching out from Hvannadalshukur
We parked the car at the location indicated by this sign, and hiked around. The ground was covered by various vegetations.
Road Sign to Svinafellsjokull – 2km
Hiking near Svinafellsjokull
Taking a Road Side Break at the Gigjukvisl Bridge Monument – Old girder from the Skeidara River
At a road side pullout, we enjoyed some snack as lunch that we purchased from a super market. This roadside pullout has a monument. It is some remnant from the Gigjukvisl Bridge that used to span over the Skeiđará River.
In 1996, the volcano Grímsvötn (part of Vatnajökull NP) erupted, interrupting tens of thousands of air passengers (including one of my colleagues who was returning from Europe to the USA), and melting portions of glacier and creating massive floods. The rest was history. This monument is there to remind people of the power of nature.
Pushing forward on the Ring Road, we passed by many strange looking mountains. Because of the wind and rain, I shot many photos from the comfort of the front seat of the car.
Examples of many weird looking mountains
Examples of many weird looking mountains – The one is flatter than the Table Mountain in Capetown.
Examples of many weird looking mountains – this is a real winner!
Examples of many weird looking mountains – Note the hole at the top!
Twin waterfalls tumbling down near a village
Unknown waterfalls within fenced private property
At this junction, we headed toward Vik, but …
It was time to take a break at N1 in Skaftarhreppur. It is located right at the intersection of Route 1, Route 203 & Route 205. The hot mushroom soup and bread were fine. Now we were still 75 km to our hotel in Vik. Along the rest of the way, we noticed vast acres of fertile lands with plenty of waterfalls and rivers. The rain had lightened a bit, but the wind remained nasty.
Taking a break at N1 – Rather busy place. Rain got heavier by now!
Looked like the weather had turned for the worst. By about 18:00, we arrived at the parking lot of Icelandair Hotel Vik. We were greeted by even stronger winds. It was a struggle just to run with luggage from the car to the hotel front door. There was a tall concrete wall acting as wind breaker in front of the main doors. Perhaps strong wind is ingrained with the weather here in Vik.
Welcome to Icelandair Hotel Vik – Windy conditions, storm ahead.
Hotel lobby
Icelandair Hotel Vik – Very small room
Icelandair Hotel Vik – Very small room
Icelandair Hotel Vik – Very small room
Icelandair Hotel Vik – Very small room
So far we’ve stayed at 2 Fosshotels and 2 Icelandair Hotels, we think the Fosshotels were much better in room size and every other aspects. Fosshotels are newer hotels and seem to have better facilities.
At this Icelandair Hotel Vik, we got a very small room. The shower is so tiny that a person of size will have problem with it. Our room is also in what appeared to be an older building..
After freshened up, we drove out for dinner. My travel notes pointed us to the nearby The Soup Company. Guess what we ordered? Yep, Plokkfiskur supa, the fish soup again.
Insert Fish Soup
The restaurant signage indicated a different name, however.
It is more appropriately called seafood stew (plokkfiskur) than soup. It is hardy, and loaded with white fish, and sometimes shrimp and shell fish depends on the restaurant. It was always very delicious!
A short 2 minute drive took us back to our hotel.
Up next Part 17 – From Vik to KEF with multiple stops