ICELAND

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Reykjavik; Population - 320,000; Currency - Iceland Krona MORE ICELAND

From Joklasel on the Vatnajokull glacier I continued to another section of Vatnajokull called Jokulsarlon lagoon, in August 2008.

1000 Icelandic Krona

The stunning Jokulsarlon lagoon is a product of ice breaking away from Vatnajokull glacier

We were very lucky to spot a seal out of the water - Jokulsarlon lagoon

Jokulsarlon lagoon has been the setting for scenes from James Bond films Die Another Day and A View to a Kill

My YouTube video here

A warm period which began in 1920 caused melting of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacial tongue of Vatnajokull, resulting in the creation of Jokulsarlon lagoon.
The lagoon continues to grow as the glacier retreats.

There were many seals swimming in the Jokulsarlon lagoon

The edge of the glacier - Jokulsarlon lagoon

An iceberg floating on Jokulsarlon lagoon.
Only 10% of an iceberg appears above water, which gives an idea of their true size.

More about Jokulsarlon here

Jokulsarlon lagoon

A bit more on Vatnajokull glacier here

Icebergs floating in the Jokulsarlon lagoon

For a closer view of Jokulsarlon lagoon take a boat trip

Icebergs dwarf the boats on Jokulsarlon lagoon

Basalt columns surround Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell national park

Svartifoss waterfall - Skaftafell national park (foss means waterfall in Icelandic)

Walking towards the Skaftafellsjokull glacial tongue of Vatnajokull - Skaftafell national park

Rain and mist obscure an island next to Skaftafellsjokull - Skaftafell national park

A great view of Skaftafellsjokull from the walking paths in Skaftafell national park

Skaftafellsjokull glacial tongue - Skaftafell national park

The volcanic landscape continues to the coast - Skaftafell national park

From Skaftafell it's easy to organise a walk on a nearby glacier - Svínafellsjökull glacier

Put on the crampons and have a great experience walking on the ice - Svínafellsjökull glacier

Svínafellsjökull is also a glacial tongue of Vatnajokull

Svínafellsjökull glacier

The black colour is due to debris being carried by the ice - Svínafellsjökull glacier

A crevasse in Svínafellsjökull glacier

On the way back from Skaftafell to Reykjavik the bus stopped off at Skogafoss waterfall in Skogar

60 metre high Skogafoss is another beautiful Icelandic site - Skogar

My YouTube video here

Getting very wet at the base of Skogafoss - Skogar

The attraction of Seljalandsfoss is to walk behind the waterfall - you can just about see 2 or 3 people behind the water in this photo.

My YouTube video here

Seljalandsfoss is a stop for some tour buses on the way to/from Reykjavik in southern Iceland

The Vikings set up the World's first parliament at Thingvellir national park in 930AD

Thingvellir national park

Thingvellir national park can be taken in on the Golden Circle tour which also includes Gullfoss and Geysir (below)

Geysir is the name given to a hot spring area an hour's drive from Reykjavik

Geysers around the world derive their name from Geysir (or Great Geysir), which can be seen above, steaming away in the background.
It erupts sporadically at heights up to 60 metres.

A far more reliable geyser is Strokkur, a few metres away, which spouts every 5 or 6 minutes, sending boiling water and steam up to 20 metres in the air - Geysir

The water bubbles and boils at Strokkur - Geysir

Every few minutes the Strokkur geyser erupts, spouting boiling water - Geysir

More on the Geysir area here and here

After an eruption much of the water pours back in - Strokkur, Geysir

My (sideways!) YouTube video here

Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is a magnificent 32 metre waterfall (11 metres followed by 21 metres).

My YouTube video here

Some tours only allow a 45 minute stop at Gullfoss which is nowhere near enough. Try staying overnight at Gullfoss or Geysir - if you've got your own transport then you're fine.

The Blue Lagoon is another famous Icelandic sight and conveniently close to Keflavik international airport

The geothermal water at the Blue Lagoon averages between 37 and 39°C

Official website here

The Blue Lagoon also provides a steam room, sauna, massage, cafe, bar, restaurant, shop - and more!

The Blue Lagoon is surrounded by volcanic lava

A cavern at the Blue Lagoon

The steaming blue water of the Blue Lagoon, a great way to unwind to or from the airport (a 20 minute drive away)

Bridges link the alcoves of the Blue Lagoon

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2011 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.icetourist.is - Iceland tourist board

www.nat.is - scheduled bus services in Iceland

www.bustravel.is - scheduled bus services in Southern Iceland. In Icelandic only but it's easy to get the drift

www.re.is - tours and independent bus trips

www.icelandexcursions.is - day tours and longer excursions

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.