My friends, the number one recommendation I can give you, when visiting Iceland is: rent a car. There are many tours that offer to take you from here to there, but there is nothing like the freedom to create your route, make your own stops to the various points of interest, get to know the less traveled places on the Icelandic roads to arrive to your favorite destination. The place we chose to go on this occasion was Jökulsárlón.
We decided to make this little trip when we just arrived to Iceland, in mid-August of this year. The tour itself included several stops at different waterfalls, the visit to the glacier lagoon, until we reached the small town of Höfn where we would spend the night. On the roads (not only the Icelandic ones) you have to stay alert to capture those unique moments. Sometimes the sheeps, sometimes the horses. Even simply the color of the sky. Let beauty guide your way.
The road to Jökulsárlón
Mountains that look like chocolate truffles. Martian landscapes brought to earth, moss on volcanic rock. We arrived at Vík on our stopover, a small town which is the last trace of civilization for the two hours remaining until we reached the lagoon, so we had to get something to calm the gut. Black sand, basalt towers. All this forms a prelude to the main dish that is Jökulsárlón.
It is shocking to see a glacier up close. Vatnajökull, the second largest glacier in Europe, peeks out between the mountains. From the road it seems that a gigantic wave stopped, frozen in time, waiting to take everything in its path.
A landscape, a painting
On the shore of the lake, where hundreds of people stop to take their photos, there are several signs that explain what is in front, as if they were the curatorial texts of this beautiful exhibition made by nature. One of them says, Global Warming. And yes, seeing the Jökulsárlón is a reminder of the temperature changes on the planet. While it is true that the lake has existed since 1934, it is worrisome that it has taken only forty years for the lake to reach the 18 kilometers that it is today. Pieces of iceberg swimming, while crumbling until they reach the Atlantic, in a matter of minutes. The poetics of chaos.
On a happier note ... THERE ARE SEALS!
If you like more direct contact with nature, you can opt for the boat ride that takes you on a tour around the lake and greet the creatures that curiously reach the surface.
What to consider:
- The weather: as in everything that has to do with the outdoors, you need to prepare your jacket, sweater, hat and gloves, especially if the weather is not in your favor.
- Comfortable shoes: Although parts of the trip involve sitting in the car, it is essential to wear good shoes for walking.
- When the sphincter knocks on the door: Yes friends, it is important to know that after Vík, there is nothing ... literally, not even a bush. Stop on Vík, that's my recommendation.
- Edda Hotel: Whatever your destination in Iceland is during the summer, Edda Hotel is a good option.It is worth mentioning that the hotel alternates as a student dormitory during the winter (at the beginning of September).
- Respect the signs and use common sense: although this sounds weird, the number of injured tourists is high. Be cautious.