Our Journey
Iceland. A land of fire and ice. Stunning scenery. Dangerous roads. Relentless winds. These are just a few phrases we use to describe it when asked about our trip there. When our trip to Pakistan was canceled a week before departure, we scrambled to put together a trip “somewhere”, given all the COVID restrictions around the world, and decided on Iceland. Never was there a better time to go for the country was literally abandoned. In most of the places we stayed, not only were we the only guests, but there were no hotel staff—someone would let us in and then give us a key to the place to lockup at night. We'd drive hours without ever seeing another car. It was an eerie sensation marveling at a gigantic waterfall amidst its thunderous roar and realizing that no one else is there.
Starting in Keflavík and driving in a counterclockwise direction, we drove over 3,600 miles, visiting all 8 of Iceland’s regions. With over 8,000 photos shot on this trip, it was difficult to select the ones worthy enough to be in this book. The ones that did make the cut best represent the highlights of our trip as well as each of their respective regions. To view all the photos taken on this trip (and other trips), please visit our website, www.floydandjodi.com.
Southern Peninsula
Reykjanes Peninsula
This peninsula could be considered as a miniature, condensed version of Iceland with its lava fields and cliffs. Highlights of this region include the following: Fagradalsfjall Volcano, a shield volcano which began erupting on March 19, 2021; Reykjanesviti Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Iceland; and Icelandic Horses, also referred to as “ponies” because of their small size.
Southern Region
Iceland’s Most Visited Region
Waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, towering mountains and cliffs, barren deserts, and lush mossy fields define Iceland’s Southern Region. Highlights of this region include the following: Kerið Crater, a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater; Midfoss, a small waterfall passed along the trail to Brúarfoss, Iceland’s bluest waterfall; Brúará River, a glacial water with a sky blue color; Faxi, a wide and serene waterfall; Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall; Háifoss, Iceland’s fourth highest waterfall; Hjálparfoss, conjoined waterfalls where the rivers Fossá and Þjórsá join; Gjáin, a picturesque valley; Geysir Geothermal Area, a volcanic landscape of steaming vents; Seljalandsfoss, a 200-foot waterfall; Skógafoss, a 200-foot massive waterfall; Sólheimajökull, a glacier between the volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull; Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, built in 1927; Dyrhólaey Lava Arch, a promontory next to the lighthouse; Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, a wild and rugged beach created by lava mixing with the ocean; Sólheimasandur Plane Crash, the abandoned wreckage of a US Navy DC-3; Fjaðrárgljúfur, a majestic canyon; Skeiðarárjökull, an outlet glacier; Breiðamerkurfjall, a 414-meter mountain peak; and Svartifoss Black Waterfall, a narrow flow of water alongside black basalt columns.
Eastern Fjords
Middle of Nowhere
Eastern Iceland is an untamed wilderness of rocky mountain peaks, winding black sand coastlines with many narrow fjords surrounded by steep cliffs, charming fishing villages dotted with colorful houses, and many rural churches. This region is especially famous for its herds of wild reindeer. Initially brought over for farming, the industry was never lucrative, and they have roamed free ever since. Highlights of this region include the following: Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon, a pool of giant blue tinted floating icebergs; Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull; Djupivogur Lighthouse, located on a rocky point on the port of Djúpivogur; Seyðisfjörður, an enchanting village with its well-preserved wooden houses; Gufufoss, a moderately sized waterfall with falls that plunge 63-feet; Rjúkandi, waterfalls that descend the steep valley of Jökuldalur; and Borgarfjörður eystri, nesting grounds for puffins that locals say arrive on April 8 at 3pm sharp every year.
Northeastern Region
A Region Less Traveled
The northeast of Iceland can be loosely divided into three peninsulas: Tjörnes, Melrakkaslétta (or "Slétta"), and Langanes. Renowned for its lonely seascapes and shorelines, northeast Iceland is a treasure-trove of hidden and overlooked natural wonders. Highlights of this region include the following: Selfoss, a waterfall flowing into Öxarfjörður, a bay of the Arctic Sea; Námafjall Geothermal Area, a landscape of boiling blue mud pits and steaming fumaroles surrounded by Sulphur crystals of many different colors giving the area an overwhelming smell of rotten eggs; Goðafoss, known as the “Waterfall of the Gods” because of its 100-foot width; and Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Iceland (and in Europe) by water volume (132,000 liquid gallons/second).
Northwestern Region
A Region of Uncharted Landscapes
Northwest Iceland is a beautiful and authentic region with many mountains, huge cliffs, vast desert plateaus, rural churches, and low population density. Dotted with fishing villages full of charm and simplicity, this immense peninsula spans nearly 5,000 square miles and its wild character makes it unique. Highlights of this region include the Svalbarðseyri Lighthouse, an orange lighthouse on a small promontory that has a complex lighting system used for guiding ships into the small port of Akureyri.
Westfjords
Iceland’s Wildest Region
Swept by the winds of the Arctic Ocean, the enormous Westfjords Peninsula, which faces the east coast of Greenland, is an incredible place with dramatic mountains, a multitude of waterfalls, and stunning coastlines. While traversing the Westfjords does require a lot of driving, the surrounding scenery proves that the journey can be quite as amazing as the destination. Highlights of this region include Dynjandi, the biggest waterfall in the Westfjords. Called the “Jewel of the Westfjords”, Dynjandi (which means “thunderous”) cascades some 100 meters looking exactly like a beautiful bridal veil. On top, it is 30 meters wide and widens up to 60 meters at the bottom. There are 6 other waterfalls below Dynjandi (Bæjarfoss, Hundafoss, Hrísvaðsfoss, Göngumannafoss, Strompgljúfrafoss, and Hæstajallafoss), which one passes on the way up to the biggest waterfall. It is quite a scenic route with an elevation of some 200 meters up to the biggest waterfall.
Western Region
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Known as “Little Iceland”, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a region in western Iceland dominated by volcanic mountain ranges and landscapes full of colors and contrasts. Highlights of this region include the following: Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, the most photographed waterfall in all of Iceland; Helgrindur Mountain, one of Iceland’s smallest volcanic systems; Kirkjufell Mountain, known as Arrowhead Mountain in “Game of Thrones” and one of the landmarks beyond “The Wall”; Arnarstapi, a small fishing community with basalt columns, gorges and caves along its shoreline; Gatklettur, a naturally formed stone arch found between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar; Stapafell Mountain, a 526-meter high palagonite volcano; Gerðuberg Cliffs, a row of perfectly shaped hexagonal basalt columns; and Hraunfossar, a collection of countless creeks and cascades streaming out of lava.
Capital Region
World’s Northernmost Capital
Located on a peninsula in the southwest of the country sits Reykajavik, the capital city of Iceland and home to the Hallgrimskirkja Church, the tallest church in the country. Highlights of this region include the following: Öxarárfoss, a waterfall in Þingvellir National Park used as a “Game of Thrones” backdrop; Þórufoss, a waterfall used as a shooting location for the home of the “Children of the Forest” in “Game of Thrones”; and Helgufoss, not one of Iceland’s most powerful, dramatic or tall waterfalls, but one of the country’s most picturesque and serene.
This book consists of the photos that best represent this trip, but if you would like to view all the photos taken on this trip (and other trips), please visit our website, www.floydandjodi.com.
Credits:
Floyd Schleyhahn Photography www.floydandjodi.com