Husavík is my next stop for 3 nights. On the way to Husavík I planned to visit a part of the southern Myvätn area. First go see Aldeyjarfoss, which is in the highlands, but according to many people easily accesible for 2 wheel drive cars. I had my serious doubts, due to all the rain, but didnt want to regret not trying.
So I drove up to Barðardalurvegur, the road that will become Sprengisandi later on. It would turn an F road just 2 km before Aldeyjarfoss, after first being almost 50km of gravel. It was still horrible weather, through the fogs I could see this stunning area, and a few times I thought about returning as this would be waste of time. I should have listened to my guts really.
It was one long straight on road like this. Boring with this weather, as sunny skies would have given awesome views towards Herdubreid and other highland marking points. But I drove 50 km on gravel with a hill on the left side, then lava field, the road, lava field and a river on the left. Farms here and there. And a few loose sheep on the road side. I told myself at least to turn around if weather got worse, I after all was heading for highlands here....
When I reached the last farm, the road changed to F26 and warned drivers for not going there with non 4x4. Ok well I ignored it... because many people said it is perfectly possible for a two wheel drive to go that 2km more. First going VERY steep down on a muddy road, cracked by rainfall. I felt like stupid to do this. But I have a random act of being stupid everytime I go to Iceland (without bringing me or myself in life threatning danger!!!), and I was so close that I saw Aldeyjarfoss in front of me. I was down the hill, crossed the river by a decent of course paved bridge and moved on into the lava field. But there it was.... 3 or 4 huge roadwide mudpools.... I honestly didnt want to risk anything here, and I couldnt park the car to go walk the last few hundred meters. And it was still raining. I stood there heartbroken, Iceland won from me. Aldeyjarfoss claimed victory, as I tried to turn the car around, but bumped on some lava rocks put there to avoid off road driving. My car got damaged a bit.... How was I gonna explain this???? OOff.. My trouble moment was right here, right now. I could look forward for 10 days worrying how to explain and afford this damage.
So I went back, back up the muddy hill. It was a challenge but I made it, with sweat on my face, slipping away and getting stuck in a mudcrack once or twice. I would have never done this with the cranky Sixt car I usually have. Thats a certainty! My Yaris is much more a tough guy. But oh was I happy to be back again on road 26!!! :)
I didnt take any pictures of this challenge, it was stupid enough to even try. Taking pictures would have been even more irresponsible.
I made my way back, and by the bigger bridge halfway back, I decided to drive back on the east flank of the river, the road would end up at Goðafoss where I was heading to. And this road was a smooth ungraveled gravel road. Yay! For a bit more comfort.
On my way I found this idylic spot. I can tell you, in reality it looks much more authentic than on this picture. This kind of property would be my heaven. And how I wished I could have captured in the picture. Cant get it closer than this....
After a little while I reached Goðafoss, and the parking at the other side than were most people would stop. I took my pictures from this south platform, and eventually also 'climbed' down this lovely stairs, to a little 'beach' to view the fall on eye level. Amazing!
But like I feared with so many tourists now.... How long was it ago that I was here all alone? And this southern view point wasnt even created??? Sigh.... I really think I have to go visit Greenland anywhere soon.... ;)
But as you see, none of the photos have tourists on them. At least I tried to keep them out of view. I only allow people dressed in black, gree, brown or grey on pictures as they do not disturb the picture with neon yellow or bright blue ;-)
After my visit to Goðafoss I moved on to Myvätn. I had the idea to visit Déttifoss but it was a too long drive in my schedule, so I took the alternative ringround around Myvätn and had a walk at a nice reserve close to Dimmuborgir. It attracted me because it was a little peninsula in the lake, with a lot of autumn colored trees on it. So I saw the parkinglot, and turned over, decided to take a look. And heaven upon me, can everybody complaining that Iceland has no decent forests? Complaining that an Icelandic forest is just 3 trees and if you stand up you are out of it??? Those days are gone. And I know we cannot compare Icelandic forests with the ancient ones we know in Europe. They are different, but many give you a feeling to not be in Iceland. And this one, it does too. Lots of singing birds, but no squirrels. But you know what the best part is????
No spider webs in Autumn! If anything I hate in NL's autumn forests it is the chance to walk into a spiderweb, especially with the face. Arrghhh I get itchy thinking about it. And of course Iceland does have immigrated spiders and some are so horrid you dont want to know about them. But forests are decently spider free. Yups :) No sticks needed in front of my face.
So I took a little stroll here in this adorable forest. And then visited Dimmuborgir. Awww the amazement, two years ago I only gave it a rush visit, it was raining badly and had so much on my to do list and so less time... But now, I took a 10km hike all around the main things to see here in this wonderfull place. I even went to visit the cave of the Icelandic Yule Lads.... who were not home, but I put out a little wish there, which some sort got granted. Not gonna tell about it though.
Then it was back to the red trail, Dimmuborgir looks amazing in autumn colors, you cant imagine how much colorfull pictures I took, but I wont share them all here. That would be a bit boring.
Some sheep managed to make it into Dimmuborgir too, it shouldnt be that way, but well, Iceland has so many fences to keep them where they should, yet I see sheep everywhere on the wrong side of the fence... ;) And there are about 6-7 sheep roaming into the Dimmuborgir area.
Then I went to walk on to visit Kirkja, which is a natural chapel shaped cave. In this cave every summer in August they give a concert. Because the accoustics seem to be good. I dont know... It doesnt really seem to have that much space inside...
Well this also marked the turnback point to walk to the exit again. Gazing at this beautifull lava formations, nature has such incredible powers you just cant figure... It brings you closer to your own self as you have never been, feeling so humble. Sigh...
I decided to put Déttifoss on a future plan, maybe Monday. I had been walking a lot today, and done a lot of driving too. I headed back to find my way to Husavík. Once I arrived there, I felt like coming home. I guess Husavík is a little town that resonates with my feelings, its exactly the size I like it to be, it lacks noise and stress, has everything I need near by and lays perfectly within one hour reach of Akyreyri, Myvätn, Ásbyrgi, Hljoðaklettar etc. And has a lot of horses.
The guesthouse was a bit disappointing, where I had a tiny room in a basement with a poor quality bathroom and noisy doors. The upstairs bathroom was much better. There was however a nice kitchen, so I made myself a pizza. Dieing for some 'real' food after 3 nights living on bread. Breakfast however, need to be taken at a hotel in Husavik, where, is not very clear to me. Will see tomorrow... It is a short walk or drive away near the harbour. Husavík isnt that big lol. So unless other places, I have to get ready for breakfast to instantly leave for the day out. Im used to just hang around a little bit after breakfast. Ah well....
It was still raining so sadly I couldnt go for a little walk through Husavík. I have never had so much rain in Iceland as I had so far. But tomorrow weather would improve, and it better be, because after tomorrow, there was expected huge northern light displays for the next 4 maybe 5 days.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten