Reykjavik, Iceland... Part 2 of 3

Another 5:30 am morning for sail in to Reykjavik. Due to port congestion, the Zuiderdam had to dock at the commercial port, and we took the shuttle to the passenger port of Skarfabakki to meet our guide, Frizzi. Today, another first and off the beaten path adventure to explore the Borgarfjörður region is a fertile valley in West Iceland and the area is also known as the Silver Circle. It was a blue-sky day; we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Leaving Reykjavik behind, we took the 5-kilometer underwater tunnel under the Hvalfjordur Bay to the town of Borgarnes. We approached Borgarnes via a causeway to the largest town in Borgarfjörður. Borgarnes, is situated on a hill towering over the ocean. The town is famous for its history, which ranges from the Vikings to the booming English and Danish commerce of the 19th century. We stopped at the Gljufura Canyon, the Grabrok Crater and the scenic Pyramid Mountains. Our next stop was Glanni waterfall…we walked to the viewing platform and then I went down to the Paradislaut pools in the valley below Glanni waterfall. This pool is a small lava cup with a beautiful emerald, green hue. The time of year and the warm weather brought out the flies, with the bugs hitting the windshield it sounded like hail against the windshield. Our next stop was the Deildartunguhver, geothermal bubbling hot springs beneath the surface of the Langjokull glacier. These pools pump 180 liters per second of 100 degrees Celsius hot water. The water is pumped 64 kilometers suppling hot water to all the surrounding towns and villages. Adjacent to the pools is the Krauma geothermal baths. Next, we stopped at the historical Church of Reykholt with its original church still intact. Moving along, we went to the waterfall duo of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss…a great stop…they were a stunning series of waterfalls. Our guide Frissi took us to the Fossatun Hotel, and we walked through Rock n Troll Garden known as the Troll Stroll with view over the Troll Waterfalls. We started our return to Reykjavik via the Hvalfjaroarsveit route and not the underwater tunnel. The drive took 45 minutes longer but was exceptional…Following the west coast of Iceland was a treasure of nature with a backdrop of mountains, waterfalls, green fields, lupins and the sea.  Beauty and waterfalls every turn!  The weather was absolutely spectacular today, as was the scenery and it was a totally enjoyable day exploring new places. And yes, I took way too many photos again!  Spectacular scenery does that to me…  Another 3-part blog!