Kirkjubaejarklaustur to Vik - 9/15/16

We continue with our trip along the South coast of Iceland.  You have to enjoy their town names.  Kirkjubaejarklaustur can be broken down to Kirkju (church) baejar (farm) and klaustur (convent) and it's commonly referred to as Klaustur (pronounced like "cloister").  The town was first settled by Irish monks before the Vikings arrived - thus the church farm.  The convent of Benedictine nuns was established in 1186.  During the Laki eruptions in the late 1800's, the area just west of the town was devastated by the lava stream.  The lava field averages 12m thick and contains more than 15 cu km of lava and covers an area of 565 sq km, making it the world's largest recorded lava flow from a single eruption, according to Lonely Plant.  We visited the following natural areas on our journey from here to Vik.

 Waterfalls along the road...

 They are around almost every corner!

 Just down the road from this was the canyon...

 Fjabrargljufur - the canyon through the lava field...

 It was stunning!

 The Church Floor - columnar basalt eroded and shaped by wind and waves.

 This lime green moss covers much of the lava field...one of 5

types of moss that can survive the harsh conditions.

On to Vik, the southernmost town in Iceland and the rainiest.  We have no doubt about that, it poured, but just added to the atmosphere!

 The Reynisdrangar - seastacks.  The cliffs are nesting places for

puffins who unfortunately have moved on to warmer climes.

 Basalt columns along the black beach...

 Along the Reynisfjara - black beach

 Note the black beach and thundering waves!!

 A geologists dream area.

 The Dyrholaey - 120 m high headland extending into the sea...from tuff.

After the beach we stopped by the Black Beach Cafe for some warming lamb soup and smoked salmon sandwich...yum!  Then on west along the South Coast to Rt. 249/F249.  (the F roads are the 4-wheel drive roads we can't go on...but can go up to them.  Didn't have to go far though to see the following...

 Seljalandsfoss Falls.....

falling into a large pond...

and from the trail behind the falls.

 A lovely rainbow we spotted as we were going to

 visit the next falls a short walk away.

 Gljufurarbui falls into a hidden canyon that you can walk into.

 from above looking into the canyon...

and from below.  Stunning!

We camped here tonight to the sound of the falling water....some from the waterfall and some from the rain.  Great day!

Water!!

The subject for today is water....and it's many forms in Iceland!  Since I'm doing this on the porch and the wind is blowing a very chilly breeze...I will just let you admire the pictures and I'll go into more detail when we get back.  ;-)

 Glacier in South Iceland

 Our little Happy Camper van!!

 These small iceburgs from the front of the glacier.  Amazing colors!

Waterfall...they are everywhere in all shapes and sizes!

 Today we have pictures from a days drive along the East Coast.  Around every corner is a new breathtaking view!

 6 Km tunnel entrance.

 A stop at the beach...the crashing waves were throwing the

seaweed up through a blow hole.

Beautiful sunset after a rainy day!

Again, my apologies for the brevity in detail.  Just enjoy the pictures.  It's been a gorgeous trip!  A week to go!  Hugs to all!

We're alive and well!!

Our apologies for the lack of postings on this trip.  It's been an amazing journey with still time to go. We've accomplished the Westfjords, the North, the East and the South and are now concentrating on the area in the South West section and  the Reykjavik area.  Still having slow internet when we do find access so again, pictures are out of the question.  They will be coming but most may be after we return...alas!

After several weeks of glorious weather, last week we had rain and cloudy most of the time.  Yesterday broke the spell and it was beautiful with sunshine and blue skies.  Also a wonderful day for waterfalls....both real show stoppers!

All is going well!  Today's lunch is a vegetarian buffet at the Settlement House Cafe in Bogarnes.  Excellent!!  Then on to Arnes for the night.  Sun shining and blue sky after a night of scattered rain...lovely!

We are at a farm for our camping spot tonight - and one of the other campers is sharing their wifi...so  here come some pictures and more detail will follow.  Enjoy the sunny weather we have had till today...cold and really windy.  Here we go....

Ice cap on mountain.

Fisherman's boat on shore of Fjord. 

 Reflections

 More waterfalls....

 The Bird Cliffs at Latrabjarg.

Rainbow at end of cliffs. 

 Red Sand Beach

 Clouds pouring over cliffs.

 Nice sunset.

 More waterfalls....

 A hotpot...they're everywhere!

 Another beautiful fjord!

 Birds on the rocks along the beach.

 Eider Ducks - loving those feathers about now!

 Ducks flying away...

 Gulls at Bird Cliffs.

The Bird Cliffs - sadly all the Puffins 

have left for warmer climes.

Lighthouse where we camped the first night.

Icelandic Horses - lots of these!