When: May 25, 2017. Where:Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Dwarf rocks, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Skogafoss, Vik, Fludir
Weather: Drizzling & Cloudy. Temperature: 7°C Feels like: 5°C
Drive Route:Kirkjubaejarklaustur>Dwarf Rocks>Fjaðrárgljúfur>Vik>Skogafoss>Fludir
Today we awoke to a morning of rain. We wanted to hike up the hill behind the cottages but we had to skip. But still, the views were too nice to dampen our mood.
After having our own breakfast (we were never hungry despite the expensive foodstuff), we are off to the Dwarf Rocks (Dverghamrar) which is just 5-8mins drive away.
Dverghamrar
The rocks looked nothing like Dwarf. It was named as Dwarf Rocks was due to a tale where a farmer heard a Dwarf singing thus named as such. While this is not a super popular site or recommended by many, I think it is worth stopping by.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Our next stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon – just 25 mins drive away from Dwarf Rocks. It is again not a super popular tourist site but I think is should not be missed at all! The trek up is a bit muddy but well worth the walk. While it is not as massive as the Grand Canyon, I thought it is just as amazing if not more than Grand canyon.
After enjoying the views of the Canyon, we are headed off to Vik for lunch which takes about 50mins. However, while on the way – we spot an interesting site
Laufskálavarða
It is actually a memorial site & entirely man-made. One can make their own stonepiles here for good luck. I have just googled about this place & found that this is the ONLY place in Iceland where people are allowed to make a stone pile. Info link here. I feel a little guilty now with that small stone stacking I did at Skaftafell Park.
Our next stop is Vik for refueling & lunch but not before we stop by at Kjarval Supermarket at Vik for food shopping (for dinner tonight). We got ourselves a lot of local lamb chops, pork chops & several pieces of artic char fish. Can’t wait for our very own chef to cook for us tonight!
Halldorskaffi @ Vik
It is a pretty windy & cold day so I decide to get everyone to have a nice warm lunch first before going to the windy black beach. Their pizza is good & the cake/meringue is worth a try. It was pretty crowded as there aren’t many restaurants around in Vik (the population was registered as just 291 in 2011) & we did wait for at least 30mins or so for the food to come. But we didn’t mind so much as we needed the warmth of the cafe from outside.
After getting all warmth up with the soup & the pizzas, our next stop is the super famous Reynisdrangar & Reynisfjara.
Reynisdrangar (Hexagon Basalt Columns) & Reynisfjara (black beach)
It is obviously super famous for very good reason. The columns, the caves, the super big waves, the beach & everything else makes the place just so special.
My favourite picture
After spending at least an hour or so there, we are off to our next stop – Skogafoss
Skogafoss
As we were running a little late (due to long lunch & us enjoying our time at the canyon + the Reynisfjara) , we didn’t trek into the Skogafoss more. As we made a booking for hot spring dip at Secret lagoon , we had to made our way quick to the place.
The Secret Lagoon
We reached Secret Lagoon at 6.30pm – an hour late from my booking time, which was fine because the usual tourists crowds are from 3 to 5.30, so we had no problems getting in. One has to go through proper washing (open communal one – don’t worry, gender segregated before you put on your swimming costumes to go into the pool).
The water is at 40C – which is just nice considering the outside temperature was at 8C. The water is from a nearby hot spring 100C – so its all natural unlike the famous blue lagoon.
After spending an hour there, we are set for our night stay at Reykholt (Golden Circle area)
In less than 20mins away, we reached our place of stay. It is a very nicely decorated house where the owner rents out the rooms separately. Very clean & all. I would say it is the best decorated, nicest bath & cleanest place we have stayed in Iceland but it was my least favourite place of stay due to the owner’s watchful eye, eyeing our every possible ‘that could dirty’ moves in her rented home. My conclusion is if one has OCD tendency, it is not advisable to rent out your ‘o-special-home’.
Our sumptous dinner by Chef Penny Lew
Menu: Lamb Chops, Pork Chops, Artic Char, Potato Salads, Garden greens, Sauteed Mushrooms
We had a pretty late dinner – almost 9pm but it was so satisfying that we start making our many many requests from Chef Penny for our next days’ dinner. Tee hee hee….
The Muse Travelogues of Sights,Sites & Scenes 