An overnight trip to see a glacier lagoon in Iceland!

Having heard of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon I was determined to see it. I thought it would be a day trip! However it is 380kms from Reykjavik! And so was advised to stay a night in the area.

On the way we did stop to see some other points of interest....waterfalls and waterfalls!

Then on to an area where one could go for a glacier hike... not me!

Next stop a black beach with interesting basalt columns.... 

...where we spent a lot of time looking for the elusive puffin... which appears on all touristy gifts! We did finally see one and were able to then move on!

We arrived at the glacier lagoon late evening and had a quick look just in case it rained in the morning!  

We stayed at a small B&B... simple but it had the advantage of just being 15mins from the lagoon.

As we were leaving in the morning we caught a view of a reindeer.... apparently rare to see.

The first stop was Diamond Beach... so named because a lot of the icebergs ended up there on black sand. Very photogenic!

Finally what we had come for.....to go out on a boat onto the lagoon and look at icebergs close-up.....

A seal hitching a ride!

On the way back to Reykjavik we had beautiful views of the glacier...plus a lot of lupins!

The tourist route in Iceland!

 It would seem that everyone staying in Reykjavik does the Golden Circle....Tectonic plates, Gulfoss Waterfall and ending in the Blue Lagoon! So did I!

The tectonic plates look as though they might come crashing down... this was the North American side. Apparently the European side is less dramatic!

Our first waterfalls of the day.....

Then on to watch a geyser in action......

It was quite active!

In the middle of nowhere... a traffic jam!

Then on to the Gullfoss waterfall....

Then a visit to  the Kerid Crater....

And thankfully our final destination, the Blue Lagoon!

Again an extremely long day!

A Stopover in Iceland

 Having thought many times over the years that a stopover in Iceland might be a good idea when flying between the US and Europe........... this year I decided was the time to actually do it!

Getting into Iceland was interesting in Covid times.... there was a test on entry at the airport and one had to stay in one's hotel until informed  that the test was negative. Obviously they did not trust other counties negative tests! I had booked into the Borg Hotel which is its oldest hotel in Reykjavik, built in the 30s, and the Art Deco style was still very evident.

However the hotel had not reopened it's restaurant so I had to chose something from a very limited menu to be delivered  ......  fish and chips was the winner. They did know I wasn't allowed out!

My test came back fairly quickly and the next day I was able to go to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. 

First beautiful vistas.........

Then we moved into the Lava fields.... lichen/moss covering prevents erosion and retains moisture......

.There were lots of abandoned wrecked boats.....

Presumably being left on the beach as a warning!

The looming glacier was very evident.......

As it is daylight for almost 20 hours in summer the day was long! 9am to 9pm! And it still did not feel like time for sleep!