Iceland

 
24 February 2017: Amsterdam – Reykjavik

Our flight was delayed for two hours due the weather condition in Reykjavik. We arrived at the airport in late afternoon. From the airport we took flybus to city center. The bus stopped in front of our hostel, Reykjavik Hostel Village.

Since it was already dark, we just went to the city center. It was near our hostel, only about 10 minutes walk. We visited the famous church, Hallgrímskirkja. It was built in 1937 and soon become the city landmark. It has a unique modern design. With total height 73 meters, it looks gigantic from outside.

Just in front of the church, was statue of Leifur Eiriksson, the first European to discover America.

Just across the church, there was a nice shopping street. We can find clothes, books, cafés and minimarket (which was important, since everything is expensive in Iceland). We stroll in this area for a while before continued to Harpa. Harpa is a concert hall. It has a beautiful glass façade. We can enter for free and see the also beautiful interior. Since it was quiet late and we had tour that start in the morning, we decided to go back to the hostel. 

25 February 2017 : Southern Tour

Today, we took the Southern Tour. They picked us up in the hostel with van, and then we changed to big bus.

Our firt stop was Skógafoss waterfalls. It was beautiful and there was always rainbow in this waterfalls. We spent about 20 minutes in this location before continued to the next stop.

The second stop was Sólheimajökull, where we walked on the glacier. It was very slippery. Must walk very carefully! But the walk was really worth it. The view was breathtaking!

From glacier, we moved to our next destination, Black Sand Beach. As for its name, the sand was black. Another thing that was amazing in here, was the cliffs. The shape of the cliff was very unique. It looks like somebody craved on it. As we already told by our tour guide, we must really carefull with the wave. Yes, the wave could be very big and strong in sudden.

Our last stop was Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. What makes this waterfalls unique is that we can walk behind and through to the other side. Unfortunattely, when we arrive, the snow shower was getting heavier. The wind was also very strong. Therefore, we decided not to walk behind the waterfall. Just went near the waterfalls already made us completely wet :)
 

From our last stop, we went directly to Reykjavik. We asked the tour guide to drop us at the city center, as we need food supply from minimarket :).Actually tonight, we supposed to take the northern light tour. But due to the bad weather condition, the tour operator cancel it.

26 February 2017, Reykjavik

The heavy snow since last night made all roads in Reykjavik covered with snow. All tours were cancelled due to the road condition. Only access to Airport that still can be use. Today, we supposed to join the Golden Tour Circle. But since it was cancelled and we could not go anywhere, we just stroll and enjoy the white Reykjavik. The snow made Reykjavik looks beautiful, like in fairy tale.

We wandered in the city center, took great pictures, bought hot coffee and warm pastry. And finally took a rest in Harpa, to warm ourselves and thinking for our next activity. Luckyly, we spotted a tour information in Harpa, and the only option that we got from there, was whale watching. So, we decided to give it a try.

We just arrived in time. The boat was about to leave. We bought the ticket on the boat. They provided warm clothes and sea sickness pills. Unfortunally, we could not see any whales. But they gave us free northern light tour for replacement not able to see the whale.



Since today was our last day, we must do the northern light tour tonight. From the aurora forecast, there was chance that we can see the northern light tonight. So, we went back to the hotel to take some rest before going out again at the night. The boat departed at 9 pm. Along the way, the tour guide gave us some information about the northern light and some tips how to take a good photo of it. But again, we can never predict nature. Though the forecast gave us positive sign, we could not see the northern light tonight. But still, it was a good experience to try new things and enjoy the night sky from the boat.

27 February 2017, Reykjavik – Amsterdam

Our flight was early in the morning. The flybus van picked us up in front of our hostel. Then we changed to big bus in the bus terminal before going straight to the airport.