Following the ring road: my second trip around Iceland in July 2014. South Iceland :)

 

 

EPISODE 1:                        SOUTH  OF  ICELAND

July 2nd in the night, the wind and rain started to diminished, so we decided to set off to our journey around Iceland. We were travelling as a group of 5 people, including couchsurfers: Italian photographer, two young Japanese guys, a Polish girl from Copenhagen and me.







Previous days were full of alerts about strong wind and danger of floods and muddy streams in the south of Iceland. But the Wednesday night was the first calm one after the astonishingly sunny day in Reykjavik. And the forecast showed sunny weather in the south for the next days. Even I had some doubts, just borrowed the tent, mat and a stove from my friends, to be prepared for camping in nature. And most important thing, I had a car from my Polish friend, he lent me it for 5 full days. It's almost midnight! So off we go!

After 2 am we arrived to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It was quite dark, some clouds were covering the white Icelandic night, but still I couldn't resist going behind the cascade and having a light shower in the waterfall's water drops. That's very unique even in Iceland, a walk behind mighty waterfall. It was so silent and calm, dark shadows were lying on the mountains slopes. Complete and perfect silence.

After this first adventure we continued until Skógar to stop at Skogafoss waterfall at sunrise time. Delicate pink light was appearing slowly over the waterfall's peak. U-shape full of lightness. We took a walk until the cascade, passing by the camping tents scattered here and there. Although I had seen it already few times, this time it was really impressive because of the dawn and delicacy of colours. And the silence. People were sleeping in their tents, only sheep were awaken, lying in the grass lazily, looking at us with intensive gaze. We decided to climb the cliff of waterfall to see the landscape of the sleepy village, full of green slopes and blue lupin fields.

 Then we stopped at Skógar village for a while to see the museum with the Icelandic houses. Only from outside. And the silence was everywhere. Overwhelming calmness and peacefulness. Very early morning, only the sheep and birds were aware of our presence.

Feeling quite sleepy, as it was almost 4 am, we decided to stop at the first camping  at the end of Vík í Mýrdal village and come back to my favourite black shore in the late morning. Beautiful old coastline cliffs made a wonderful surrounding for a small camp-site. We were quick to put up 2 tents.

And yes, in the morning the weather was splendid, no wind, clear blue sky and full sunshine. I was so happy, finally I was lucky to see the shore around Vík í Mýrdal in the great light. What a wonderful day for photographers!

 

We started the day from the Vík's black beach with Reynisdrangar. Great rocks visible far in the distance, resembling 3-mast caravel drowning in the sea. There is an old legend about these rocks. At the beach we met a duck with many ducklings, learning how to find food in the black sand. Running away in the funny way, still not well coordinated little duck feet. One of the ducklings couldn't run, it looked so poor, probably was sick and won't have much chance to survive. That's sad, but this is the way that nature is.

Then we come back through Vík stopping at fully packed with tourist gasoline station and went to Reynisfjara, amazing black beach with basalt portal and fantasy columns of rocks appearing from the water. For the first time I saw it in a low tide and was so surprise that it is possible to go so close to the gigantic rock sculptures, because the level of the water unhidden the coastline and also a cave made of basalt column. I was so happy to walk freely on the shore regained from the see, admiring the place for the first time. AMAZING! :))

 

And  just before a big pack of tourists appeared at the black shore we decided to ride back to Dyrhólaey cape with a beautiful arc of stone going further into the sea.. On our way we met horse riders and free horses galloping along the road. Cute Icelandic horses, short and strong, with many colours of the long fur. Fantastic view!

At the Dyrhólaey we couldn't see any puffins this time, they were probably flying over the sea during the day. The view of the endless black beach, white foam and blue ocean, contrast and harmony. It always make me dream and feel happy. Very happy! ;)

And as always, I was looking for some small black lamb, they are so nice, and this is great time to see them when they are still cute little creatures.

And the next photo story is to be about the south-east coast. So stay tuned ;))))




 

Jökulsárlón blue ice lagoon: travelling around Iceland :))

It was one of my dreams since I moved to Iceland. To go back to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, amazingly beautiful lake in the south east part of Iceland. I was there only once in the beginning of July 2013. And it is one of the most beautiful, amazing and peaceful places I have ever seen in my life!

It's situated on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. Maybe you seen it already in some Hollywood movies: Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four films, including James Bond: A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins.

July 2nd in the night, the wind and rain started to diminished, so we set off to our journey around Iceland. 5 people: Italian photographer, two young Japanese guys, a Polish girl from Copenhagen and me.

We got to Jökulsárlón on the second night of our travel, July 3/July 4, white night with blue dimmed light, amazing peacefulness and calmness. Nobody else at the lagoon......................
Only we and the amazing beauty of the frozen nature. Migratory barnacle geese sleeping by the icy banks while protecting their gooslings, lonely seal swimming between the blue icebergs, eternal mountains in the background of the breathtaking scenery...
We took a walk by the glacier lagoon at midnight and it lasted until 2-3 am. Enjoying the silence of the sleeping nature................ Shiiiii

And we back again to see lagoon on the next day afternoon. Around 14:00 the sky was sunny and clear again so we could admire the glacial lagoon in the full splendours of the colours. Also the black beach near by gave us wonderful impressions: black warm sand, cold ocean water and blue icebergs sitting on the shore, white and silver crystals of ice blinking in the sun.. truly amazing!!!

Pieces of arts of the best of the sculptors: NATURE :) Fantasy shapes and colours, contrasts and light. Just have a photo walk with me. There are no words to describe it. There is no need to say a word. Just enjoy and breath :))))


And inspired by a guy from Austria we entered the ocean water only in swimming suites (or just underwear :) In fact it it was very sunny day so the ice wasn't cold, only ocean water made us frozen for few seconds and making us scream and laugh! Unforgettable experience :))
And the seal came to see us again, looking straight in the eyes of my Italian friend. Great skua, large migratory sea bird measuring approx. 50 long with a 125–140 cm wingspan, appeared over lagoon in its majesty. Paradise for birds and paradise for photographers.

Blue ice. Eternal landscape :) Crystal silence of the ice compressed to blue layers. Eternal cycle of deeply condensed ice melting and falling into the ocean, then evaporating on the black sand and turning into rain or snow again.

On July 4 the whole cycle has ended and opened a way to the new year of Icelandic experiences. As I came to Iceland for the first time on July 5 in 2013, it was a perfect way to celebrate this amazing and astonishing year in my life.. Full of emotions, surprises, inspirations, positive vibration and great new people that I have met on my way. I have changed almost everything, moving to Iceland, leaving my old life behind, still remaining the same person, seeking my fulfilment in the beautiful world, close to nature, close to simplicity of life.  Just following my dreams.... :))

By the lagoon it was more crowded after the noon. Colourful jackets of vivid tourists were visible everywhere. Birds, seagulls, arctic terns, gannets flying over the icebergs. So many impressions and inspirations.
PURE HAPPINESS :))) Yesss, my happiness is icy blue :)