9/6/24 Sun: Got up at 7am for our breakfast. *They have smoked salmon (or Arctic Charr) here!* Drove off at 8.15am for our Katla Ice Cave Tour at 8.45am. We hopped onto the specially-assembled truck with our guide and driver, Maria, the very “loud” and hippy woman haha. After 45 minutes, we arrived at the “other worldly-looking” Mýrdalsjökull glacier area.All
of us had to walk a bit to get nearer to Katla Ice Cave. After putting on the
micro-spikes, we began our 10 minutes or so of walk up to the ice caves. *told
to stomp our feet so we can grip onto the ice* I didn’t expect to see the
amount of volcanic ashes though, not in the “advertisements” used by these
agencies.We
saw two small caves and Maria first led us towards the smaller one. *The big
one that you see in the photos has reduced to only a thin layer on top. Maria
said it could be gone in no time haiz.*
Once
we walked into the ice cave, I thought it was quite huge but it was also
melting fast with the water dripping around us, as if it was drizzling. *The
shape of the dented ice in the cave was really beautiful and blue. Potato
also took this close-up shot and one could see the air bubbles in the
compressed ice.* Maria helped every group take photos and told PotaTOHs to “muacks”
keke~
Then,
we walked over to the big one. It felt so surreal when we were standing in
front of it… the place was so unlike Earth. Maria said we were blessed with good
weather today because it gets foggy some other times.
When
we got back to the truck, we saw one lone Arctic Fox, which Maria said should
not have been there but probably because someone was feeding and they should
not have.
Three
hours later, we got back but first went to Vik black sand beach for a short
walk. *The lupins in Vik was supposedly grown to help with receding
waterline that eats into the town’s area.* The wind was strong and we
stacked some stones for fun.Then,
we had lunch at Black Crust Pizzeria since there is a 10% discount for Katla
Ice Cave visitors. We ordered the marinated duck pizza with orange and nuts which
was quite nice and an intriguing combination. The buffalo wings was not the usual
I expected and the sauces were given apart from the rather crispy wings. Bill
was 5112 ISK, S$50.17.
Drove
shortly up to the Vik i Myrdal Church, but it was not opened on Sundays. Took a
few photos and drove to LAVA Centre (9780 ISK, S$95.99 for two) at 1.30pm.
Arrived in an hour and spend about two hours there.
We
learned about the volcanic systems in Iceland here. They have real-time
tracking of earthquakes in each volcanic region. Iceland is “alive” because
they get earthquakes everyday, but the magnitude is small enough so people don’t
feel it. Saw history of earthquakes in Iceland and how Iceland came to exist on
its own after a series of earthquakes and volcano eruptions.
We
got a “brief taste” of a Magnitude 6.3 earthquake, strongest recorded in
Iceland in recent years, thanks to the simulation they have in-house. Also saw
a model of a Hot spot beneath Iceland. There were different types of lava rocks
and eruptions. The interactive zone that showed the four big volcanic systems was
very informative and fun.
After
which, we headed upstairs to the balcony area to take a look all around Iceland
because we’re surrounded by mountains in almost every direction! *For example,
look at how much the ice cap has shrunk on Hekla, one of the most active
volcanoes in Iceland!*
At
4.45pm, we drove to Gljufrabui waterfall. Took a leisure stroll in the area and
at one point, he decided to walk right into it and take a photo for me haha.
After that, we walked to the biggest one in the area but also saw two or three
more waterfalls in between.
When
we got to Seljalandsfoss, we saw lots of visitors queuing to go behind the
falls to take photos. We did not queue but proceeded to Skogafoss instead. The
force coming from Skogafoss was very strong! *double rainbow spotted~*Potato
encouraged me to climb 527 steps up to the top of Skogafoss. I was quite
reluctant at first but I decided to do it. *Ouch my quads, especially the
right one, which was already hurting a bit from the previous exercises in
Iceland.* The view from the top was pretty.
After
half an hour here, PotaTOHs drove towards Dyrholaey. We did not know Dyrholaey
area closes at 7pm. We reached the gate at 6.40pm, and by the time we got to
the top, we had barely 10 minutes to snap photos! *The Southernmost point of
Iceland was stunning, really.* Did not go to Reynisfjara beach but I took a
photo of it.
Had
dinner at The Soup Company at 7.15pm. It was one of the best ones (6080 ISK) we
had. My Icelandic lamb soup was such a comfy food but his red hot lava soup
with beef goulash soup tasted even better… sour-ish with that kick of chilli!
Got
back to Hotel Burfell at 8.15pm and while driving in, we saw those two birds fly.
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