Retired Nomads - Part 3: Husavik, Iceland

Aug 3 - Husavik - Myvatn Major

Husavik is often called the “Whale watching capital” of Iceland, the town’s offshore waters are home to 15 different whale species, as well as dolphins and 30 varieties of birds.

Our tour today was Myvatn Major which included Lake Myvatn, Godafoss Waterfall, Dimmuborgir, and Myvatn Nature Baths.

It was an all-day excursion in one of the most beautiful areas of Northern Iceland.

We hiked to the spectacular Godafoss Waterfall (waterfall of the gods). It was a nice hike along the paths, and it ended by crossing over a bridge where our bus waited for us. Here was a restroom stop and a fantastic souvenir shop. Probably the best one of the trip. (yet, I didn't buy anything)

Redwing

Godafoss Waterfall

Whooper Swan & Tufted Duck

Whooper Swans & Tufted Ducks

Tufted Duck & chick

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck & chick

wild horses

hat nets for the flies

lake Mývatn

Pseudocraters border lake Mývatn. These numerous grassy knolls may not appear to look like volcanic craters. Pseudocraters, which can be found in very few places in the world; Iceland, Hawaii, one in the Azore islands These rootless craters form when piping hot thin-flowing molten lava flows over a wetland or boggy areas. The hot lava boils the water of the wetlands, and the steam pressure causes explosions, creating clusters of pseudocraters.

The bugs were annoying here so many of us wore our hat nets. (kept them from the trip to Ayers Rock where the flies were relentless)

One of the highlights of Iceland was seeing the wild horses and so many cute sheep. Fat little balls of wool with stick legs barely showing. It was cute to watch them run away from the bus. Sheep are totally free range in Iceland. The only fences you see are to keep them from the road, but of course there are always areas where there are no fences, and the bus drivers honk often to scare them from the road.

We saw the impressive black lava formations of Dimmuborgir where our guide Arndis pointed out formations that looked like various trolls as she told us folk stories. The area is also popular with Game of Thrones fans. Some of the folk stories involved the Icelandic Yule Lads which live in Dimmumborgir. They are the 13 sons of Gryla and Leppaludi, the vicious trolls that live in a big cave in Ludentarborgir. The 13 brothers all have funny names that often refer to their preference for food or interests. There is Spoon Licker, Sausage Swiper, Skyr Gobbler and Door Slammer to name a few. In the summer, the Yule Lads can rarely be seen because they use this season to rest and are sleeping in their caves but as winter comes, they wake up and start preparing for Christmas.

See if you see any trolls lurking....

Skútustaðagígar

Greg in the back

there is a person in the hole

cheating lovers

wife looking back at her husband

husband

Lake Myvan

Next was our best lunch of the included lunches with the tours. Our included lunch was a beautifully prepared Arctic Char (like a mild salmon) and dessert.

lunch stop

self-serve coffee & tea

Arctic Char on root mash with vegetables & lovely sauce

apple cake that was really spice cake with a dollop of apples on top

Our next stop was at the Námafjall Geothermal Area located in Northeast Iceland, on the east side of Lake Mývatn. This area is also known as Hverir,where we saw many smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots, surrounded by Sulphur crystals of many different colors. (yea, the smell was strong of eggs)

drive to lava field

Dimmuborgir Lava Field - Namafjall Hverir

Our last stop was at Myvatn Nature Baths. The water felt oilier than the Blue Lagoon. Another lovely soak amongst the gorgeous views.

GoPro video to follow....

Back on the ship we had a lecture on the History of Iceland before dinner.

After dinner there was an Arctic Circle Ceremony (66*33*) poolside with free flowing Schnaps, mulled wine and Icelandic specialty foods. (herring, Sheep's head jam, dried cod, fermented shark, smoked lamb on flatbread, little sausages etc.) Music and dancing and a fun time. We went topside and watched for whales and quite a few were spotted. (about 15) No great photos, but with binocs we got some good looks. Just fun to search for the “blows” or a bit of fin or tail.