From Akureyri to Seydisfjordur
Well, I just realized how much I skipped in Akureyri. I never mentioned the Christmas House, the smoked meat, the ice cream, or even the pools. Yes pools, in Iceland. Icelanders LOVE their pools. I believe its because they live on an island surrounded by water that they can't swim in. Regardless, their pools are amazing. The water is nice and warm, and they have a variety of "hot pots" ranging from 100 degrees to 106 degrees!
Anyways, after Akureyri, I made my way east towards Seydisfjordur. Since I don't have the appropriate keyboard I can't add all the special letters. But that doesn't matter.
After yesturdays drive, I didn't know what to expect. More of the same? Or something drastically different... I think I got a little of both.
Leaving Akureyri it was the same old farms and hills with mountains.
Next I passed through Myvatn. Its known for its geothermal activity. My only problem is the bugs. This might be the only place in Iceland that I noticed with bugs. They are like gnats. And as soon as you get out of your car the swarm you. Gross right? Needless to say I didn't stay long. Just enough to take photos.
As I moved passed Myvatn I started getting closer to Krafla and I could definately notice the increase in geothermal activity. On the sides of the roads you'd see vast pools colored blue and green and steaming. Even more interesting is the steam coming from the ground. It looks like you are on another planet.
On the way to Seydisfjordur, I passed Krafla. Krafla is one giant volcanic area. The most popular sight in Krafla is Viti, one of the volcanic craters.
Also in this area is a giant geothermal power plant. Iceland is very big on being "green." And I must say that I'm impressed at how clean the country is. I didn't see any litter on the sides of the roads. Everything looked clean and natural. Beautiful.
As I moved away from Krafla, things started to become more and more remote. And theres something about seeing a sign that says "No gas for the next 300 KM" that gets a person wondering about the reliability of their automobile. I was driving an economy car that wasn't much bigger than myself. It was quite beautiful though. The grass turned black rock and dirt. While that doesn't sound so lively, it was quite beautiful.
So I drove and drove and drove... watching the fuel gauge... until finally I reached Seydisfjordur. This tiny little town is nestled at the east coast of Iceland. Whats more impressive are the numerous waterfalls leading towards the town. As you drive down the mountains you see a total of 25 waterfalls. Not a bad commute if you ask me!
Being only 800 people in the town, you can guess its not booming. But it was a beautiful little town. Too bad I didn't get to stay long. But like all their cities/towns it had a beautiful church as well!
Its hard to describe how great it felt to get out there and reconnect with God's beautiful creation.
This hike is a short climb up a valley along side a series of waterfalls. The valley is made up of a series of plateaus (an elevated mass of land that is relatively flat - like a table). The river runs down the middle of the valley and becomes a waterfall at the edge of each plateau. As you get higher, the waterfalls become larger. And at any given time, you can just turn around and look out over the valley you just hiked up and see how the river zig-zags until it meets the ocean.
Its a truly spectacular hike, and if you love waterfalls this hike has plenty for your viewing.
At the top you can continue hiking until you reach Vestdalsvatn, a small lake that remains frozen most of the year. You'll also get a view of Mt Bjolfur.
From the lake, you bear left and make your way west towards a skiing area. The path will end back at the road leading to Seydisfjordur.
To find the Vesdalur hike, just start walking up the road past the HI hostel to where a rough 4WD track takes off up the glacial valley to your left. The track peters out after a few hundred meters, but keep walking uphill. Keep to your left and you'll soon come around a corner where you'll see the Vestdalsa river running into the ocean. Make your way up the left side of the river. There is a small path, but you'll lose it from time to time as the grass can grow quite high.
You should be able to get more information about the hike from the town (or at least from the HI hostel).
Like all HI Hostels, the Seydisfjordur HI Hostel is clean, relatively quiet, and provides all the essentials. This hostel provides laundry facilities, a kitchen, a computer with internet for hire, and a tv room. Like all Iceland hostels, the Seydisfjordur hostel is relatively small (28 beds). The community areas are quite small and might be extremely tight when the hostel is full.
Seydisfjordur is a small town therefore everything should be within walking distance of the dorm. Right down the road from the hostel is the famous Vestular Hike that leads up into the mountains along side a series of waterfalls. A must for anyone who has a few hours of free time while in town.
