it is growing increasingly harder to post on the website due to internet connectivity or finding the time to write. i spend roughly 70% of my time driving. if only i had been wise enough to know NOT to insist on renting a 5-speed car, the driver pool would be much bigger and i could possibly write while riding like i did on the F.E.L.L. trip. course, chucky and diane aspire to read in the car but end up staring out the window at the ever changing, amazing scenery.

regardless, i love driving and it doesn’t really bother me. yesterday was mostly driving. we went from the east side of iceland driving along the coast in and out of fjords and then drive straight into the upper middle of iceland.

i love driving anywhere and driving in this country is top notch. the entire drive yesterday was like a rollercoaster. the coastal roads in the fjords would dip, rise and curve around. we drove through a 15km tunnel where i got some cool photos with the shutter open. to reach a victorian seaside village, we went over a mountain range. driving on top of the mountain range was surreal. the area was covered in snow and ice except for the road and as quickly as we rose up, the road curved and winded down to the village. the views were incredible with snow tipped mountains with waterfalls starting at the top of the mountain and falling to the valley. as we descended into the village, we were oblivious to the huge waterfalls beside the road. we were too focused on the curves. when we left the village the same way we arrived, we discovered the waterfalls.

the rest of the drive through the interior was a bit grueling. the scenery was dynamic and the weather changing quickly from sun to rain as we went over a mountain, but it was straight and tiring. i have been driving about an average of 5 – 7 hours a day. as usual, i disregarded the 90 km/h (55 mph) speed limit and sustained 120 – 160 (80 – 100 mph) km/h. the roads are smooth and straight. i seriously can’t understand how anyone could go 90 on these roads. it would take forever to get anywhere. to demonstrate to diane and chucky this fact, i slowed down to 90 and it was like we were standing still. we made it to the final destination in great time.

anyways, to backtrack a bit, we made several stops throughout the day. the first was a rock and mineral collection in the town of stodvarfjordur. apparently that wasn’t all they collected. key chains, stuffed birds, and seashells. john’s word for a person who collects a bunch of different things is called a packrat.

as mentioned before, we went to a charming, remote seaside village of seydisfjordur. we felt like we had stepped back in time due to the colorful buildings, architecture, cottages, tiny shops and hotels. the setting was amazing but i can’t imagine what it would be like in the winter when the passage over the mountain range is impassable. i presume the water is the only method of receiving goods. we spent some time in the village wandering around, checked out a church and then had an espresso at the cafe. the sun was shining and it was a great time just hanging out.

as we were leaving, we stopped at a vista lookout where we could checkout the numerous waterfalls and spectacular views from the cliff. it was so relaxing and beautiful that i wanted to setup camp and stay there for a while. the sound of the rushing water and waterfalls was therapeutic and soothing.

however, back on the road. as we made it to our final stop in the middle of iceland we made a couple stops to enjoy the views. we attempted to check out an active geothermal field with dramatic plumes of steam rising from the yellow earth close to myvatn. as we pulled in, a light smell of sulfur filled the car, which wasn’t too bad. then we opened the doors and got a blast of rotten egg and immediately closed the doors. no thanks. others in the group explored the area but we weren’t that interested in smelling like rotten egg for the rest of the day.

we made it to our final destination, lake myvatn, in great time. the lake is one of europe’s largest lakes and it is actually a massive spring.

we met up with chris and part of the group. chris informed us that the excursion to the volcano had been cancelled due to snow and weather, which was disappointing. there was 7 of us that were going on the volcano trip, so instead, we decided we would bike around the lake. it is about 31 miles, and it looks flat. we shall see if we end up doing that.

the place we were staying was situated next to the lake and we each had tiny cottages equipped with a mini-kitchen and bunkbeds. after dropping the luggage, we headed to the local tavern for food and drinks. finally, beer! it tasted so good. i really like the beer called gull or as the icelandic people pronounce it, giuel or something like that.

it was chris’s birthday so someone from the group stuck a candle in his desert and we sung happy birthday.

the plan was to head to the geothermal baths (a minature version of the blue lagoon) after dinner, but we ended up staying at the tavern until the lights came on, which was at 11:30pm. we drove back and the sky was amazing. it was dusk but it also looked like the sunrise. pink and blues colored the clouds. i love the continuous sun. i woke up around 1am to find the sky looking more like a sunset. it was beautiful. click click and then back to bed.