Iceland (East)

East of Iceland is often overlooked by travellers is a region of many charms. The secluded beauty of East Iceland with its breathtaking deep and narrow fjords and charming villages is only just beginning to be discovered by travellers. As we head towards the east of Iceland, our first destination is the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It is a beautiful glacial lagoon with lots of floating icebergs, right by the Ring Road in the southeast of Iceland.

Driving across a bridge as we approach Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon 

The beauty of mother nature.. Floating ice sheets, seals and migratory birds at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Can you spot the seals?

Floating ice anyone? 

Beached icebergs from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Gazing upon the endless Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Driving on, you will never be disappointed by the Skaftafell National Park and Vatnajökull National Park which gives you the sense of solitude in the vicinity of the vast wilderness of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier to the sea; with dramatic landscape of glaciers, glacial rivers and plains, jagged mountains.

The surrounding scenic view around our cottage at Skaftafell

The dramatic landscape around Skaftafell National Park and Vatnajökull National Park

Magnificent jagged mountains along Skaftafell National Park and Vatnajökull National Park

Non-stop screaming majestic scenic views

On our way to Seyðisfjörður, we took the dramatic coastal roads which will bring you to forsaken fjords to flourishing towns. You will never be bored by the stunning views along the coastal road. Note: During the winter, the mountain pass from main Ring Road 1 is closed, hence take the east coastal Road 96 followed by Road 92 to get to Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður.

Forsaken fjords around the east of Iceland

Wished that you could live here, don't you?

Ever-changing scenic east Iceland fjords

More of east Iceland fjords

I simply love the picturesque Seyðisfjörður. It is a self-contained town including the port of Seyðisfjörður, Iceland's only international ferry port, with its weekly Smyril Line ferry from the Faroes and Denmark, which operates mid-April to the end of September. Seyðisfjörður fjord offers peace and tranquillity with blue waters, and some relatively easy hiking trails to explore. Wished we could stayed here longer to explore them.

Picturesque Seyðisfjörður port

Awesome fjord view from our cottage - Langahlid Seydisfirdi

Engrossed in the eye-catching fjord

Just can't get enough of the stunning fjord

Wefie at the sunny Seyðisfjörður fjord 

One of the top items in my bucket list is to see the Aurora Borealis in person... and by just looking at the beautiful spectacular Northern Lights photos taken by people is enough to make us book a ticket to fly there, seriously! Fortunately, we managed to plan and head north during the peak time to see the Northern Lights before it dims. However, fret not, the aurora borealis is not disappearing, but it is just expected to appear less frequently over the next decade. 

Not forgetting that one of the main reason for this trip is aurora chasing. The aurora are best seen in dark clear nights when there isn't a full moon and minimal light pollution i.e. away from city lights. But just standing outside on a cold, dark clear night in the middle of winter in the middle of nowhere will not guarantee a sighting of aurora. In other words, you need to have some luck, to be in the right place and right time. Hence, before heading out, check the aurora forecast (http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/). 
We prayed hard in hope that we can catch a glimpse of the mysterious aurora during our quest in Iceland. Finally, lady luck is with us this time round, Seyðisfjörður is where we caught our first sight of the aurora. Thanks to the shy lady aurora for displaying the spectacular light show! 

I rarely bring DSLR camera for travelling, as I prefer travelling light. However, for this aurora chasing mission trip, I had brought my DSLR camera and tripod along; prerequisites for aurora photography. Taking pictures of aurora is a whole new experience for me, this is my first time attempting to take photos of aurora; doing last minute online crunching aurora photography info and fiddling around with my DSLR's settings and trial and error shots in the cold winter when we saw the magical beams dancing above us. Kudos to those professional aurora photographers who chased them patiently in the harsh weather in order to get great aurora shots.

The aurora come on like a celestial lava lamp

Aurora swung and shimmered loosely with more grace than the most skillful dancer

The queenly aurora in her dazzling beauty came!

Lookout for my next post as we explore the North of Iceland and continue our chase of lady aurora! 

The north! the north! from out the north

What founts of light are breaking forth,

And streaming up these evening skies,

A glorious wonder to our eyes!

~ Hannah Flagg Gould, "The Aurora Borealis"

Iceland (Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle and South Coast)

Our first destination in Iceland is the famous Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa.

We drove from Reykjavik to Blue Lagoon; Approx 45 minutes drive, Distance 50km. 

It is a very worthwhile visit, we spent approximately 4 hours there, and we are totally rejuvenated from the long flight journey fatigue after taking a dip in the geothermal pool and applied their soothing relax mud mask. Tip: Do book your day pass (55 Euros) to Blue Lagoon early, typically it gets fully booked 1-2 days in advance. 

Let's take a dip in the insanely blue lagoon and relax!

When it comes to Golden Circle route, how one can miss the Þingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall? As it was snowing heavily, we had to give a miss to Þingvellir National Park and head to Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. Geysir is one of the greatest natural attractions in Iceland and it can erupt and hurl boiling water up high in the air!

Along our way to Þingvellir National Park 

Along our way to Geysir

Along our way to Geysir

The little steaming Geysir, with temperature ranges between 80-100 Degree Celsius

Waiting for the right moment

So near yet so far. We were disappointed that we did not manage to see the almighty Gullfoss waterfall, as it was still winter, the whole path for walking to the viewing point is too icy slippery; we could barely walk down the path safely to see the waterfall, hence we had no choice but to throw in the towel. Tip: Gear your boots with ice shoes spikes which will come in handy when walking the icy slippery path.

The icy path towards the almighty Gullfoss

Scenery around Gullfoss

Sunset dusk around Gullfoss area

Driving towards Vik after sunset and the beginning of our first night driving in Iceland

Although we did not get to see Gullfoss, we managed to see the classic Skogafoss in the South of Iceland.  It is one of the biggest waterfall in Iceland. At the right side of the waterfall, there is a hiking and trekking trail which you can walk up to see Skogafoss from another point of view.

At Skogafoss: One of my must-do during my travel - jumpshot

One of my favourite shot: Live in the moment, right here, right now...

Can't take my eyes off you.. You are just too stunning!

Take a short hike up to see Skogafoss from another point of view, is still as stunning...

As we drive further south, we visited the must-go site when travelling in South Iceland; Wrecked DC-3 Plane on Sólheimasandur. There is no proper signage and visible road marker, and one can easily miss the path to turn in. Once on right the track, you will be heading to a vastness of black sand wilderness and there you will see the wrecked aircraft. Do note that this path is only accessible by 4WD cars, not suitable for normal car, beware of big rocks.

Challenging road condition as we drive through the vastness of black sand towards the wrecked plane site.. Actually it is not even a road per se, there isn't even much visible road markers, just some visible wheel tracks left by previous cars

Our reward for driving through the challenging gravel road..

A different point of view of the wrecked plane: How often do we look at the inside?

"Admiring" the crashed plane...

Solitude is the only word I can describe this place

Reynisfjara beach (Vik black sand beach) has been known as one of the 10 earth’s most famous beaches is our next stop along the main Ring Road of Iceland. Over here you can see the remarkable basalt columns cliffs on the left side of the beach, while out in the sea are the stunningly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. The sea around this area is rather wild and stormy. The sea waves here are very strong and unpredictable, where big waves crashing more than 50 metres onto the shore, so do take extra care when visiting this area; we were caught in one of the sudden big waves along the shore with ankle-deep icy seawater seeping into our boots.

As we walk towards the black sand beach

Leaving marks behind, no matter how small...

The stunningly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar

The foot prints which were washed away by the sudden big waves...

One of my favourite shot... Approaching the big waves 

Wefie with the basalt columns cliffs

Lookout for thenext upcoming post on the East of Iceland...