ICELAND 2016 Day 2 ~ Off to Akureyri ~

So today I take the long haul to Akureyri, a bit close to 400km driving. But Im happy with the comfortable and easy car, that drags me up hills much easier than the Spark ever would. It would be a more pleasant ride than ever, and also the weather seemed to be in more favorable conditions just today.

I drove off rather early after finally had some good meal and a short chat with the owner of the guesthouse. I drove to Borgarnes to go to Bonus, but realised there also was one in Akranes. But not open yet. But at Bonus I didnt buy a lot, just a lunch snack to say so, as I got my usual restless bowels that always torture the first 2 days in Iceland when all excitement gets loose together with a release of stress from 'home'. So yeah Bonus was actually more a necessary stop for the toilet. But not getting in detail with this haha :)

I decided to make my first stop at Glannifoss for a little hike to stretch legs and now as it didnt rain, I went a little further downstream so I saw the falls in full glory. Last year I only went to the top of it, and basicly only watched the fish trap. As it was rainy then I didnt see more.
The area was also in full autumn dress, so the colors were at high peak. Beautifull colors, and even some bushes still having blueberries gave it the missing hue of blue. And after picturing them, I ate them. Still wondering why nobody picks up the lingonberries. Maybe they are toxic... so if nobody picks them, they probably either arent yet ready to harvest or are toxic.

I even saw some mushrooms here in the forest. It was a good way to get out of the car, Iceland can make me so happy!

On the road I noticed there is a huge increase in tourists, the quiet roads I knew are long gone, I dont want to imagine summer, driving in line here. Also a lot of campers spoiling the untouched views ahead of you. Chinese and Americans everywhere you look. I dont know if it is good or bad. Two years ago I was mostly alone at most populair sites in North Iceland. Even Goðafoss I had all for myself. Not this year Im afraid...

The weather kept getting better, even some sunshine and a lot of very bright rainbows on my way. I planned to go to Hvitserkur and Kolugljúfur today, because as rule I know you should take ALL chances if the weather it good. You might get disappointed if abundance of rain screws up plans, which is very likely in Iceland.

I drove by the road to Hvitserkur which was much closer to Gauksmyri as anticipated, and I even missed the one to Kolugljúfur. But I was quite certain the road to the round up area was the road to this awesome falls. So I drove the road I normally do on horseback. A weird experience.
Kolugljúfur falls is very close to where I round up the horses. If you look at this area you barely wont believe the beauty that lays beneath. Kolugljúfur, as the name suggests, is a deep canyon. A quite impressive deep one, which starts as just a flowing river in the flat lands, turn into a waterfall. And a few more on the way, but I didnt see them all.

When I arrived there, of course there were the Chinese, a lot of them. crawling like ants taking pictures of every rock. I thought to be smart and climbed myself down into the canyon by a steep rocky path. Totally apraised myself for this with my bad balancing skills and there I was in the middle of the canyon, with rocks looming over the edge. I walked under the bridge towards the main falls and found out there was an easy peasy way down for the fainthearted on the other side of the road.... Hahaha :p

You can get as close as 2 meters away from the falls, in fact you can also touch the edge of the most right part of it too. Its amazing this is the same kind of fall as Gullfoss, just a tad bit smaller but yet to this one you can come so close. But in the end Im happy it is one of Icelands more hidden gems, Im 100% sure people would die here if there were more tourists and the same 'freedom to roam'. Its just a very dangerous place to be. But also a very nice one.

After picturing the fall with rainbows in its fogs, I went back up and followed the walkingpath a bit, that cruised along the rim of the canyon, revealing more of the secrets of Kolugljúfur. I saw two more waterfalls, but Im sure there are some more. I didnt have time, nor spirit to walk on more, seeing I still had 3 hours to drive. Maybe if I have some time left at Gauksmyri I might go back here.

I moved on towards Akureyri, through beautifull valleys and mountain passes, the many sheep and horses and cows of Skagafjorður. In Akureyri did some decent shopping. I even bought my so beloved Icelandic síld, pickled herring. But little did I know the jar I bought had a misfitting lid. I kept the jar in a mug in a sealbag and still the smell got everywhere. I had to finish this quickly. But such a waste to eat a whole jar at once.... so I stored the whole thing in my car. I use the car as fridge anyway if housing doesnt have a shared kitchen. Nice and smelly haha.

In the night it started to rain again, the hope to see northern lights vanished as soon as it got dark... and it will stay rainy for as long as I stay here, and then the rain moves on to Husavik. Im lucky... but it is Iceland, this time of year doesnt promise any good weather at all. Every dry day is a gift.

The hot tub wasnt free at night so I just took a rest. Driving this much on one day is tiring mentaly, my brain gets overload of beauty, of impressions, of focussing on driving. The roads are good, but can be extremely dangerous too if driving without concentration, roads rarely have side rails, if you loose the road, you end up dead. Its as simple as it gets. So after I blamed the storm 2 years ago for being tired, I guess it is all just a bit too much no matter the circumstances. Next time I will have a stop at Skagafjorður. I planned this year too, but it was all fully booked. I need to plan and book sooner anyway, tourism still will grow.