Iceland is Our Land: Day 4

Having fulfilled our bucket list in the south, day 4 found us journeying to the western peninsula of Iceland. Kirkjufell was our first stop, but it was ridiculously cold and the fog was so low you couldn't even see the mountain! We did take some pictures at Kirkjufellsfoss (the waterfall), but we skipped the hike up Kirkjufell itself, as we knew we wouldn't be able to see a thing (plus, the locals strongly suggest only hiking with a guide in this particular spot).

Kirkjufell, PC: Sam W

Kirkjufellsfoss, PC: Sam W

In true Icelandic fashion, the weather suddenly cleared as we took in Saxholl, an extinct volcano that now boasts a deep crater and the remnants of a strong magnetic field. 

Scared of heights again at the top of Saxholl, PC: Brian T

Walking back down Saxholl, PC: Brian T

I love him. PC: Emily M

Continuing through Snaefellsjokull National Park (which, fun fact, was the first national park in Iceland), we stopped at cliffs overlooking the ocean in hopes of seeing whales!

The western peninsula of Iceland is a really good place to see killer whales and seals this time of year, but unfortunately not even Eric, the self-declared Captain of the Whales, was able to spot us one. Keep your eyes open as you drive along the beautiful coast though! It's gorgeous even without the whales.

Snaefellsjokull National Park, PC: Jordan J

:), PC: Eric E

Driving through Snaefellsjokull National Park, PC: Sam W

We ended our tour of the park with Songhellir, historically believed to be the "singing cave" of Barour, a half-man, half-troll. We didn't see any trolls, but listening to some of the girls in our group sing hymns in the acoustically-perfect cave was so beautiful it gave me chills. Watching Randy and Josh climb an incredibly steep mountain about 1000 feet up ALSO gave me chills, but for a very different reason (haha).

Songhellir, PC: Brian T

Songhellir, PC: Brian T

View of Snaefellsjokull Glacier, PC: Brian T

The view at Songhellir, PC: Brian T

Can you spot Randy and Josh heading up the mountain? PC: Brian T

Our fearless (and newly engaged) leaders, PC: Hannah W

We made one last stop at the Black Church in Budir before dinner, but our car only stayed 3 minutes because we were STARVING. We generally missed dinner because restaurants in Iceland close by 9, and it stayed dark so late (last light was about 11:30 p.m.) that we didn't want to stop exploring! But by day 4, the food morale was waning with PB&J, Clif bar, and Icelandic hot dog overload, so we sped to the nearest restaurant that could accommodate our group and ate the best fish stew I've ever eaten. Admittedly, it is the only fish stew I've ever eaten, but the mix of cod, sweet potatoes, peppers, and apples was perfect (or as perfect as Icelandic food can get, haha), especially after another cool and wet day. We finished the 3-hour drive home, laughing all the way as Eric taught us to play Bah Sheep (whereby the participants take turns shouting BAH SHEEP from the car window as loudly as possible at the passing sheep…the person who can make the most sheep look at you wins the game).

The Black Church, PC: Sam W

A rare sunset in Iceland, PC: Sam W

Fish stew, PC: Brian T