We start
this excursion by heading south towards the Álftanes peninsula with the
intention of visiting Bessastaðir, which is the residence of the presidents
of the Republic of Iceland. Of course, the place is mostly off limits to the public,
but the beautiful 18th century chapel is not and Bessastaðir is also renowned
for it's varied birdlife, especially in the springtime when many species of migrating
birds make their annual halt there.
Next on our
way is the bustling town of Hafnarfjörður whose busy harbour,with it's
shipyards and dry dock, innumerable fishing boats and trawlers,both Icelandic
and foreign, is a memorable sight. The town is also well known for it's carmelite
convent and the viking restaurant and annual festival which has already been held
there three times.
We leave Hafnarfjörður
by slipping discreetly under the busy Reykjanesbraut thoroughfare on to a gravel
road which passes through the vast Kapelluhraun lava-field, where empty drying
racks for stockfish strech out for miles, and over the Vatnsskarð pass towards
the mysterious Kleifarvatn lake. As the road winds it's way alongside the Sveifluháls
ridge, some very strange shapes and figures, which the wind (and even some unknown
artists!) have carved into the palagonitic rocks, come into view.
Further
along, we will reach the Seltún
hotspring area, where some of the first serious attemps to capture geothermal
energy in Iceland were undertaken in the early years of this century.The solfatares,
which have recently started to form nearby, are also well worth a visit.
Grænavatn,(Green
Lake) is an interesting explosive crater on our way, and thereafter we will cross
the 650 year old Ögmundarhraun, which came tumbling down the mountainside,destroying
several farms on it's way before rushing into the sea.
At
Festarfjall,the entrails of a volcanic crater are clearly visible, and from the
top of the cliffs a passing minke whale can sometimes be spotted. Viewing the
entrance to the port of Grindavík will bring home the truth, even to the
most hardened landlubbers, that seafaring in Iceland, even at the best of times,
is a hazardous undertaking, but the generally opulent aspect of the town also
attests to the fact that, if everything goes well, the rewards are plentiful.
Finally, we will wind up this tour by admiring
the geothermal plant at Svartsengi
and by going to have a soothing bath at the famous Blue Lagoon. Return to Reykjavík
thereafter.
Duration of tour: 4 hours ,
Departures: 8:30
a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; daily by request.
Tour Price:
Price
per person, (for 4 passengers or more):
(click inside box to select your currency)
Conditions
of sale. (please read carefully)
Services included: (4x4)Transportation
and guidance.
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