The powers that be finally gave us a break in the weather on the one day we could use it best, our visit to Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoons. Located at the easternmost point in our a visit to Iceland both contaIn icebergs and runoff Vatnajökull (Water Glacier), one of the largest in Europe. In our visit last year Kim and I took an amphibian boat tour of Jökulsárlón, this year we opted for a Zodiac boat which offered a more intimate tour with less people and much more speed. Our guide got us right next to the glacier with a spectacular view and the occasional sound of what sounded like gunshots but what really was the ice in the glacier cracking. He weaved between icebergs of a variety of sizes crossing the lagoon with an occasional stop for iceberg viewing. Jökulsárlón is deep (a bit over 600 feet) and actually quite young forming in the 1930s when the glacier started to retreat. Eventually a fjord will form at Jökulsárlón as the glacier continues to shrink.
We also visited Diamond Beach, across the road from Jökulsárlón. High tide at our visit this time meant there was not as many “diamonds” as last year but the clearer day made it a nice visit.
The weather break was good for not only us but Iceland overall. The country has has had a record low amount of sunshine this summer, only a third of normal. To add to matters Hurricane Chris may come through this weekend. Iceland Cant catch a break this year!
Our visit came with a small price, a long ride back to Reykjavik for a our approaching departure. The nice interesting thing was we were able to check in for our flight in a moving vehicle essentially a wilderness, something that may not have been possible even a decade ago. Patient Magnús took good care of us today, thank you (Þakka þér fyrir) Magnús, much appreciated (mjög vel þegið).
More on this day soon. We were all exhausted with the busy day so I am keeping it short.
