Iceland is just packed with beautiful places. But one of the more beautiful ones, at least that we saw, is the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, about 45 minutes east of Skaftafell. We were so glad we got a place at the Hotel Skaftafell (from a waiting list), and didn't have to drive yet another 45 minutes from Geirland, only to have to drive all that way back later!
We're all nervous about the world's retreating glaciers, but sometimes something good happens when a glacier retreats. The retreat of the Breiþamerkurjökull glacier since about 1930 has created the beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon in its wake. (Source: Classic Geology in Europe 3: Iceland)
The item on the far right of the sign, "Vindhviþur," apparently indicates wind speed. This is a big issue in Iceland. Honestly, it had been difficult to open the car doors at the various stops we made. The lagoon was fortunately sheltered from the wind.
There are two ways to tour Jökulsárlón, in a large amphibious vehicle or a small Zodiac raft. For reasons that should be obvious, we had chosen the small Zodiac raft.
We were outfitted with extra-warm, waterproof exposure suits intended to keep us afloat if we somehow accidentally exited the raft. They had an amazing number of pockets. It was hot wearing them on the walk up to the entry point, but I was quite grateful for mine when we were actually out on the lagoon driving fast.
Our guide told us that all 8100 square kilometers of the Vatnajökull ice cap are expected to disappear within the next 150 years. Icelanders seem fairly unhappy about the disappearance of their glaciers. I think it would be impolite to point out that a large eruption of one of their volcanoes would significantly improve the climate change problem.
The Zodiac trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and if you get the chance, you should do it before the glacier is gone!
Eric tells me that parts of Die Another Day were filmed at Jökulsárlón.
We have had the fortune of having visited many beautiful and exciting places, but Jökulsárlón may be one of the most beautiful. I feel like this is some of the best photography we've ever done. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to see Jökulsárlón, and I hope you've enjoyed your virtual visit.
After Jökulsárlón, we needed to drive to our next hotel in Borgarnes, which Google Maps thought was about seven hours away. Our guide Steve from the previous day had warned us of bad weather predictions, so we thought the trip might take extra time, and it was already after 13:00. We did so well for the first quarter of the journey, however, that we have a few stray pictures from the drive, including more puffins!
We hadn't left enough time for a good sit-down dinner. We went to a gas station and at a fast-food chain there called Grill 66, with a logo designed to look like a Route 66 sign. We had another Icelandic fish "stew" and fish & chips. It was reasonably good, but not as fast as an American fast-food place.
We spent the night at the Icelandair Hotel Hamar in Borgarnes, a suburb north of Reykjavík.
Still, it was the nicest room we had stayed in yet, quite comfortable. The breakfast, however, was not quite as good as the breakfasts we had been having in the country hotels.
It was an excellent, relaxing ending to an entirely amazing day, one we'll probably not see the likes of again any time soon.
On to Snæfellsjökull National Park.