Nice One, Geysir
8 June 1998
Hella, Iceland, N 64º50.100', W 20º24.240'.
Today we hired a car and headed out on the Iceland tourist trail. First stop was Þingvellir - the site of the first Icelandic parliament, and a desolate plain beside a large lake. The landscape is made more dramatic by the fact that the Atlantic Fault runs right through the middle of it. Sean made the most of the chance to get some climbing practice in.
Then, on to Geysir - where the hot water comes from. The larger geysir hasn't been active for a while, but its little brother spouts sulphurous boiling water 20 metres into the air, every 5 minutes or so.
 Before |
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 After |
Onwards, to Gullfoss, a spectacular two-tier waterfall, and perhaps the most famous sight in Iceland. It was impressive.
Our journey continued, on some fairly rough gravel roads, towards Helka. This volcano erupted around 1100 (900 years ago, not 10 hours), creating the vast lava plains we travelled through. Since then, eruptions have been smaller, but it is very much alive.
Last call of the day was "chips for everyone" in a nice little cafe. It's good to see some of Iceland while we're passing through. Only one more day now, before we head another 6 degrees North, to Greenland and the Arctic.
