Iceland & Greenland Cruise (August) 2024: Day 3 - Akureyri, part 2
Leaving the drizzly Godafoss Waterfalls area, we took the same road get drove further north to our next spot, Lake Myvatn, which showed up on our research. Pulling up the lake information on the internet, I found that Lake Mývatn is a shallow, biologically diverse lake in North Iceland, renowned for its unique volcanic landscapes, abundant birdlife, and the swarms of non-biting midges that give it its name ("midge lake"). Formed by a lava eruption about 2,300 years ago, the area features pseudo-craters, lava formations like Dimmuborgir, and geothermal features including the Mývatn Nature Baths. I have to look up midge, because I haven't heard of it before. It turns out that a midge is a tiny flying insect that exists in 2 types; harmless lake midges like the ones in Lake Myvatn and an almost invisible biting midge that causes all sorts of problems for people's skin when bitten.
Anyway, the drive was wonderful, quite serene, given that there weren't many cars on the road that time and it felt like we were leisurely doing a joy ride with no time constraints. Well, to be honest, we didn't stop at the lake, initially. I thought the lake itself was nothing special.
We entered Reykjahlíð, a little village of 227 inhabitants (2021) on the shores of Lake Myvatn. Apparently, this is the highest situated town in the nation at 292 meters above sea level.
We drove further past the little village and encountered geothermal activities left and right.
Located near Reykjahlíð, we arrived at Hverir Geothermal Area. The sight before me made me think I have left Earth, definitely other-worldly feel and yet beautiful in its barren state. The landscape features bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and that unmistakable rotten-egg smell that was extremely strong here than in Yellowstone. Or perhaps the geothermal activity is different from that of Yellowstone.
There is no entrance fee, but there is a parking fee that has to be paid at an automated kiosk, if I remember correctly.
This stop was such a treat for me; and I'm okay if all we saw this day was the waterfalls and this, but we had a long day ahead of us yet and we're bound to make the most of it.
On the first day of the cruise, news came out that the famous Blue Lagoon thermal bath is closed due to an earthquake that happened just recently. Now to find a replacement to a thermal bath pool, we learned that nearby is another thermal pool. So that's what we penciled in next.
Jarðböðin Mývatn Nature Baths.
The place has a restaurant that offers prepared salads, sandwiches, etc, natural steam baths and the thermal pool with swim up bar. Your skin feels so good after a soak here. It's just so cold whenever you got out to get a glass of water. This ain't the Blue Lagoon, but this is the North's version of it and with the popular pool out of commission, this was a fantastic choice.
- to be continued -
We entered Reykjahlíð, a little village of 227 inhabitants (2021) on the shores of Lake Myvatn. Apparently, this is the highest situated town in the nation at 292 meters above sea level.
We drove further past the little village and encountered geothermal activities left and right.
Located near Reykjahlíð, we arrived at Hverir Geothermal Area. The sight before me made me think I have left Earth, definitely other-worldly feel and yet beautiful in its barren state. The landscape features bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and that unmistakable rotten-egg smell that was extremely strong here than in Yellowstone. Or perhaps the geothermal activity is different from that of Yellowstone.
There is no entrance fee, but there is a parking fee that has to be paid at an automated kiosk, if I remember correctly.
This stop was such a treat for me; and I'm okay if all we saw this day was the waterfalls and this, but we had a long day ahead of us yet and we're bound to make the most of it.
On the first day of the cruise, news came out that the famous Blue Lagoon thermal bath is closed due to an earthquake that happened just recently. Now to find a replacement to a thermal bath pool, we learned that nearby is another thermal pool. So that's what we penciled in next.
Jarðböðin Mývatn Nature Baths.
The place has a restaurant that offers prepared salads, sandwiches, etc, natural steam baths and the thermal pool with swim up bar. Your skin feels so good after a soak here. It's just so cold whenever you got out to get a glass of water. This ain't the Blue Lagoon, but this is the North's version of it and with the popular pool out of commission, this was a fantastic choice.
- to be continued -
Looks like a marvelous journey!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your photos with us this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2025/09/a-visit-to-mount-rushmore.html