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3FI 1602 - Iceland Summer Feeling

Tuesday, August 16, 2016 | Manuel Marabese / Michael Kreuzmeir | Europe

Day 8 and 9: Kirkjubæjarklaustur - Flúðir - Reykjavik

Our lap around this scenic island is winding up, but the biggest road highlight is coming up today! We will go through the highlands via Landmannalaugar, even the name itself sounds so legendary! 

Day 7: Höfn - Kirkjubæjarklaustur

The southern coast is very different than the north, and the scenery is astonishing! Cruising all day along the glacier Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe, gives us plenty of ohhhhh moments. THe boat trip in the ice lagoon at Jökulsárlón is a big highlight for sure.

The ice lagoon today is packed with icebergs! Only a few days ago a big chunk got loose from the glacier and filled the lagoon.
A very sweet tour guide...
Imposing glacier tongues... but they are retreating fast| About 100m a year!
You can park a Ranger everywhere!
Werner on his jetski!
Alfred washing the bike "Vienna style"
Mikan happy to play in the river...
Chris, calmly crossing every river with charm...
And Jim, easily wading through the water
This dirt road leads us to a stunning sight, the remote Fagrifoss. No tour busses here. Yet. And not even SUVs flipped upside down by Chinese ladies.
Well done everyone!!! This was a good training for tomorrow: road F208 is awaiting us!

Day 6: Egilsstaðir - Höfn

We are reaching the south-eastern coast of Iceland today and the motorcycle tour starts to wind up towards west. Quite wet on our road, but the mood is still good! A great group of happy riders! Crossing the pass with rain, fog and 30m visibility is part of the adventure! 

Day 5: Husavik - Egilsstaðir

The sky keeps being on our side, another gorgeous day in (N)iceland! We open the dance with Ásbyrgi canyon, a U-shaped canyon created apparently in a matter of hours during a gigantic flood after a volcano eruption underneath a glacier. Dettifoss, a mastodontic waterfall follows after it and the rest of the day sweeps along remote gravel roads with endless panoramic scenery. We are so overwhelmed by this grandeur. 

Human being is such a minuscule entity in comparison to this...
This powerful waterfall averages 200 cubic meters per second, but during the formation of the canyon it has been estimated to have gone to about 200.000 to 1 million cubic meters per second. Hard to grasp.
Endless horizon. The soul flies freely.
Astonishing rocky wall, middle of nowhere. Those two trolls built a big fence indeed.
Possibly Rune? Our Norwegian viking? Hard to tell, so fast!
Hello Werner and Öjen!! Two up also on the rocks, yeah!
Jim high on the pegs!
Alfred in fast&furious mode. Dust in the air.
Isn't that inviting for a skinny dip? If it was just a bit more over the freezing temperature...

Day 4: Akureyrí - Husavik

This tour is surprsing us every day... Waking up, opening the curtains, and discovering another clear sky! Still a bit cloudy in the morning, but with plenty of blue on the horizon! After passing by Brad Pitt's house, Gudafoss and Dimmiborgir, the "dark city" made out of lava, we reach Husavik, best place to do a whale safari... Let's see if we are lucky!

Jim admiring Myvatn, possibly the most scenic lake of Iceland
"The Castle" in Dimmiborgir, a recent lava field formed 2300 years ago.
Everyone excited for the whales! Are we gonna spot some?
And here we get the first fluke!
They are really not shy! Surfacing so close to the boats..
Their bodies are so massive yet so gentle in their movements
Hello Miss Humpback!
A rare sight... two humpbacks swimming together, they are usually solo. Maybe it's love out of season?

Day 3: Sauðárkrókur - Akureyrí

After a long day on the gravel yesterday we take it easier today. We ride along the coast to enjoy the magnificent weather before we head into a mountain section with amazing views. We stop in Siglufjörður for lunch and the famous Herring Museum. In Akureyri we visit the one and only Motorcycle Museum of Iceland before checking into our hotel and enjoying the rest of the day with perfect sunshine!

The scenery on the mountain ride was just spectacular!
Alfred wanted to take a picture of the landscape. As he turned back around his motorcycle had an unexpected new friend.
A good group shot with an idyllic harbour background in Hofsos
Today the shades of blue of the sky and then sea were merging into each other like a perfect longdrink...
We like going off the beaten track and explore some inland dirt... the view is astonishing!
Is Siglufjörður picturesque enough?

Day 2: Laugarvatn - Sauðárkrókur

In one day we get a sample of everything that Iceland can offer: a mighty geyser (Strokkur), a scenic and roaring waterfall (Gullfoss), the 190km gravel across the highlands, glaciers, turquoise lakes surrounded by barren landscape, a hotpot in a perfect spot (Hveravellir), some chilly wind reaching the north coast, on old turf church and a turf roof village... quite a variety!

The famous geysir 'Strokkur' that spouts water every 5 to 8 minutes.
What a picture! Perfectly blue sky and a natural water fountain!
The Gullfoss or Golden Waterfall is probably the most famous waterfall of Iceland.
Leaving the 'Golden Circle' route we finally get some gravel roads to ride on.
Look at that! Who doesn't want to ride here?
Riding on the moon wouldn't look much different.
The sunshine really puts some colours on the surface!
Group discussion of where we are. Or should be. Maybe?
Glaumbær is an old Icelandic village how it used to be.

Day 1: Reykjavik - Laugarvatn

We have just welcomed our second group in Iceland: Germany, Austria, Norway, Netherlands, USA and still Michael and Manuel guiding the pack. What an amzing start around the Reykjanes peninsula!

The continental bridge is our first stop of the day.
Gunnuhver is the biggest mudpot in Iceland and right next to it the water turns into fantastic looking steam!
Visiting the Blue Lagoon, guided around by two Elfs.
Of course we get some Blue Lagoon drinks!
For those that believe that in the States there are big cars, come to Iceland to see the super jeeps!
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Add a comment Rate this post
Dad and Dolly Garrisson
Friday, August 12, 2016 at 01:01

Hi Jim,
Beautiful weather and it looks relaxing too.What fun and what an experience for you.Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Larry Bendt
Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 16:35

Jared,
I can't believe the weather you guys are having. This blog is great, pictures are amazing. Have a great 2nd half of this once in a lifetime adventure.
Love you,
Mom & Dad
Claudia Wenhart
Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 18:34

Hey Manu and Michael,
great weather!!!!
Fantastic Pictures ... have fun on your second round!!!!
Kind regards
Claudia
Manuel Marabese
Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 01:59

hello claudia!!! yes very very good weather on tour...just one rainy day, and one more day to go!
Jane Westmiller
Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 03:03

Yikes - someone was up late updating the blog. Enjoying the photos a lot. I am happy that Jim and I have already been talking about a tour next year where I will once again be his passenger and seeing the views in person.
Michael Göbel
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 12:12

Seeing these pictures I am a little bit jallous. Have a good trip!
Jane Westmiller
Monday, August 8, 2016 at 21:18

Looking good. Hope everyone has a wonderful time - especially my husband Jim G.

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