Iceland: A land of Ice (2)

Jökulsárlón is an amazing lake in Vatnajökull National Park, S E Iceland. In 2002 it was the scene for the James Bond car chase in 'Die Another Day' and has appeared in other films such as 'A View to a Kill', and 'Batman Begins'.

We visited the lake on the last day of our 2 weeks in Iceland and after seeing so many glaciers etc we were quite blase about it. Nothing really prepared us for the incredible site that greeted us. This was the view from the coach as we headed over the bridge.

A seal in the foreground at Jökulsárlón

As we were there in summer, the lake contained hundreds of icebergs broken off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. In winter the lake freezes over. 

Laura and I holding ice that is thousands of years old

Trips are available on amphibious vehicles which take you even closer to the 'bergs.

All in all, it was another stunning day out and even more reason to recommend Iceland to everyone. On the coach trip back to our lodge I was even able to take this photo of a rainbow from inside the coach. 

Awesome Iceland! 

Iceland: A Land of Ice (1)

Even in summer, you can find plenty of ice in Iceland by finding some glaciers. You won't have far to look. 

Where as some look brilliant white, many look dirty, darkened by the volcanic rock they sit on and gouge as they move.

On one of our days we did a brilliant 4 x 4 safari which toward the end took us across the Maelifellsandur desert to the Myrdallsjokull glacier which stretched right across the horizon. 

      

On the Myrdallsjokull 'black' Glacier. Notice vehicles in the distance.

Sometimes it's possible to get under the glacier!

Next up in part 2 - The ice lake made famous by James Bond.

Iceland: What Goes Down Must Come Up.

I nearly called this blog "Iceland: Where Water Falls" but realised that as well as the amazing waterfalls in Iceland, I also wanted to include geysers from this remarkable country.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is what you thought waterfalls should look like when you were taught about them at school. It is the most perfect example of a simple single drop waterfall I have ever seen, enhanced by the beautiful green surroundings.

Seljalandsfoss

Although not as initially visually stunning as Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss is equally as impressive once you get close up. In fact you can get even closer to the action by walking behind it.
   

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is Iceland's most popular and visited waterfall and it is easy to see why.

The picture below shows the different strata of rock, the overhanging one evidently more resistant to erosion and goes some way to explain the number of drops of the waterfall.  

Geysir
And as promised, what goes down must come up. As Iceland finds itself on top of two tectonic plate boundaries, there are many geysers and none more famous than 'Great Geysir' which can be found in Geysir Park. It's neighbour, 'Strokkur' (pictured) is less impressive but does spout every five minutes.

Awesome Iceland!