We had booked the trip “South Coast and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon” by Greyline.is tours. This was supposed to be a trip of 14 hours and we were not sure how our little one (1.5 years) would manage the bus travel. First stop was at the waterfall “Skogafoss”. It was one of the magnificent waterfalls I have ever seen. We were given around 20 mins to enjoy the waterfalls as the day was supposed to be long. I wished, we should have dared to drive rather than using package tours.Had not expected the waterfall to be so gigantic. We did not even get time to realize one can walk up to the view platform as we were given only 20 mins. I would have loved to be there near the waterfall alone for some quite contemplation. Though one could go very near to the waterfall, I could not do that as the splashing water started making my DSLR wet. Still, it feels good to see some small videos from almost below the waterfall captured at that time and to remember how it felt to be there. During that time I was not capturing videos of places I visit, rather used to take only pics. But now I feel videos bring back memories more alive compared to photos, a reason to improve videography. The Drive was so nice with panoramic view through the broad windows of the Bus. Only regret I have is not being able to stop where ever I wanted to click some pics.The roads were straight and empty. Swasti and I sat in the front seat of the bus and enjoyed the whole journey without closing our eyes. At places it used to look like road was leading to horizon. We reached the Glacier lagoon around noon. It was a cloudy day and many other tourist buses were already there. And there was a long queue to join the boat trip in the glacier lagoon. We too went on that trip, but I don’t remember why I decided not to take my camera with for which I repented later. After stopping the boat near a floating iceberg, the captain of the boat axed an ice piece and had given us to taste. He was also explaining that what we see above the water is just 1/4th of the real size of the iceberg and the remains 3/ would be under the water.
After the boat trip in the Glacier lagoon, the return journey started and the tour itinerary consisted few more stops in between. The below picture is taken near the farm at EyjafjallaJokull Glacier. This consists of a volcano completely covered with ice cap which covers an area of about 100 square kilometres.
On 14 April 2010 Eyjafjallajökull errupted requiring 800 people to be evacuated due to floods. This eruption threw volcanic ash several kilometres up in the atmosphere, which led to air travel disruption in northwest Europe for six days from 15 April to 21 April 2010 and again, in May 2010. On the way we had a break near the Solheimajokull Glacier. and passed few waterfalls without stopping.
Seljalandfoss:
Our next stop was at Seljalandfoss. Here we really got only a few minutes to stop and visit the waterfalls as the guide was hurrying up. Still, could go near the waterfalls, walk behind it and enjoy the view for few minutes. Whole landschaft is covered with moose covered volcanic rock making it look like no man land. The lighted house in the below picture is of green house where vegetables are grown for consumption. After passing through the dark valley, when we climbed up the pass, the horizon was lit with golden Sun and it was magical. I don’t know how many times I cursed myself for not driving on our own as there was no way to stop the Bus in places where i wanted to stop and click photos to my satisfaction. We reached the apartment around 11 pm and as usual the Greyline travels dropped us near apartment. Though the journey of 14 hrs was tiring, it was worth the places we visited. It just seems like a dream now.