Cousin Iceland Adventure 2018: Day 7

Day 7:

I was sort of dreading this long drive back through the East Fjords and across the south, nearly to Selfoss, just due to its length. I was worried that we would be spending too much time in the car instead of being out doing things, that I would be too tired to drive, or that Maddy would be bored. It turned out to be a great day, and the drive actually wasn't bad at all. We left Fáskrúðsfjörður this morning a little after 8. I was up until about 2am last night having a late night ice cream and coffee conversation party with Stebbi, Lisa, Elvar, and Bogga. It was worth the lack of sleep to get to chat with them and practice my Icelandic a little more. Maddy went to bed early, so missed the coffee and ice cream party but had the benefit of a full night of sleep today.

After the first couple of hours of driving this morning we ran into sunshine and it stuck with us all day. Even now as I write this from our amazing guesthouse in Kálfholt at 11pm, the sky is bright and looks like it was painted with pastels. I have a view of Hekla and a field full of horses, so I'm happy as a clam.

South coast foals

My writing view from the sunroom here in Kálfholt tonight

Maddy making friends with the farm dog

Our main stops today were as follows:

1. The black sand beach across from Jokulsarlon (the glacier lagoon) and the black sand beach across the road from the lagoon, which is apparently called Diamond Beach. https://www.glacierguides.is/blog/jokulsarlon-diamond-beach
The chunks of ice flow out through the river and a good number of them end up wedged on the beach where tourists can get up close and personal. I saw way too many adults licking chunks of ice on the beach today for my liking.

2. The weather was incredible, so we made another stop at the glacier lagoon, parking on the west side of the bridge to get a different view of things. We ended up staying for well over an hour. We ate cookies in the sunshine and watched the big pieces of ice slowly turn and break apart enough to flow out of the lagoon, cheering when they managed to move along. We walked along the beach, taking pictures of the seals and flocks of ducks that lounge in the lagoon among the ice. Tough cookies. 

It was hard to leave, but we still had a lot of hours of driving ahead, so eventually we hopped back in the car.

3. We stopped in Vík for a very late lunch/early bird dinner followed by a walk to yet another black sand beach. The wind in Vík today while we were out on the beach was nuts, so we didn't linger nearly as long as we had at Jökulsárlón where it was warm and calm.

Maddy in Vík 

Maddy in Vík

Cousin sand selfie

Vík

4. Our final big stop for the day was at Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. I wasn't certain we were going to stop here, and I had skipped it on the way to the east because I had heard they started to implement a parking fee, and because it is usually insanely busy. Today we arrived there around 6pm and it was not that busy at all. Not a single giant tour bus in sight. I have been to these waterfalls before, but had never walked behind Seljalandsfoss before. It was totally glorious. It was one of the most magical experiences of the week, and I am so glad we stopped to check it out. Maddy was so happy with it, and it really was beautiful.

Gljúfrabúi

Maddy in Gljúfrabúi

Tomorrow is Maddy's last day in Iceland. I have to bring her to the airport in the afternoon and send her back to California. We are going to go horseback riding here in the morning, which I think will be a great final activity to cap off the trip. We have had a fantastic week.