A land of FIRE and ICE... and also some cloud and wind

Amsterdam

really turned on the weather! Blue skies and 20 degrees meant everyone was outside enjoying the sun.  We joined the locals - going for runs in Vondle Park followed closely with  beers in the park.  It was nice to do less touristy things for a few days and Marty and Nathan even managed a game of squash (Nathan won... but Marty tells me this isn't important).

Running and then relaxing in Vondle Park

The Kindy-kids wore high-vis and were transported across roads in these carts

It was great to see Nathan and Ikumi in their Dutch home.  They definitely have the business of hosting down pat - upon arrival we were issued with our transport card, museum passes and maps along with suggested itineraries and estimated wait time in museum lines.

The four of us took on the challenge of the Claustrophobia Escape Room and made it out with almost ten minutes to spare!  We also had a delicious BBQ (oh this was the one evening that rained, so the BBQ ended up inside) with Ikumi's work friends - a very entertaining evening with a large selection of whiskey, beers and chocolate on offer!

Solved the Escape Room!

Inge's hometown of Wormer was overrun with tandem-bike-riding-Australians following their fearless leader, René (Inge's dad), from pub to pub.  A few road rules were learned on the fly; like the meaning of 'shark teeth' (give way to cars - Marty with a nervous Shelley on the back), and how long you have to cross a bridge from when the alarm sounds to when it is actually impassable (Brad while everyone else waited on the other side)

The Van Maanen family were well prepared!

Kath and Brad's practice ride on the tandem bike

Shelley taking her role as 'indicator' very seriously

First pub!

Nathan and Ikumi were naturals...

Perfecting the 'Belfie' (bike selfie)

Second pub…. not sure what happened to photos of the last pub?

Tandems were really only for the tourists - Inge and Euan are too local for that 

Managed to squeeze in a spot of shoe shopping!

Waiting for Brad

What a fantastic time we had in Amsterdam!  Special thanks to Nathan and Ikumi for their hospitality and to Inge's family for organising the pub crawl and dinner :)

Iceland

lived up to it's name.  We promise to discuss this once only…

Upon arrival the captain advised that there was a moderate wind from the south.. we knew something was up when this 'moderate' wind made it feel like we were riding a ship at sea and not sitting in a 50 seater coach.  Next up, our first Airbnb host warned that it had been the coldest AND wettest spring for many years and that usually it was warmer by now.

The weather changed frequently, usually from windy, to cloudy, to rainy, to low cloud, to snow and back again… it wasn't until we got to the south (we travelled clockwise) that things warmed up (to a maximum of 8 degrees) and we got a glimpse of what summer could be be like.  Our advice to any future travellers to Iceland is pack for all weather types.

We didn't let the weather get in the way tooooo much and instead were soon amazed at how alive the land is here.  Waterfalls, volcanoes, boiling mud pits, geysirs, naturally heated pools…it was like a huge geology lesson!

Marty loved the leg room on WOW Air!

We stocked up on groceries from 'Bonus,' one of the cheapest supermarkets that has free coffee available with unlimited re-fills, packed up our Kuku camper and set off for ten days around the country.

Outside Bonus with the free coffee… interesting logo choice by Bonus (pig looks like it's been in a punch up?)

First lunch in the Kuku Camper

Highlights from our 'ring-road' trip include (but are not limited to);

• Puffins!
• Detifoss waterfall
• The sunny day in Seydisfjordur (possibly due to the sun)
• Glacier hiking
• Snorkeling between the North American and Eurasion continental plates

The drive was an endless photo opportunity and as Marty was the primary driver it was up to me to take the photos (not sure I met Marty's standard and quantity requirements).  One of the first things we noticed was the lack of trees/bushes/anything that indicates how windy it is outside.  We quickly learned to check which way the wind was blowing before parking and opening a car door!

Amazing landscape on the Western Peninsula

The Látraburg Cliffs (where puffins live!)

We drove a looong way to see puffins (it added a whole extra day to the trip) and when we arrived we couldn't see them anywhere - possibly too early in the season.  These birds were going to be our consolation...

Marty got right into the bird watching…
but felt that our camera was somewhat inadequate.

I thought Marty was tricking when he stuck his head over the side of the cliff and yelled Puffin!  This guy was really friendly and let Marty go right up to him.

Not many 'white sand' beaches in Iceland, most have black sand

Unfortunately it was too early in the season to access some of the hikes in the highlands - now we have a good reason to come back!

Hverfjall Crater near Lake Myvatn

Natural hot spring… the water is now ~60 degrees so it's too hot to swim in

Relaxing at Jar∂bo∂in Nature baths after one of the colder/wetter days

Detifoss - no 'dramatic' camera setting required

Ahhh! What is this bright light providing warmth to my face? (morning in Seydisfjordur)

Preparing lunch in Seydisfjordur

Enjoying a familiar drop at one of our favourite campsites - it was near a glacier and we could hear ice breaking throughout the night

Icebergs at Jokulsárlón lagoon

Glacier hiking

Svartifoss - surrounded by hexagonal basalt columns that form when lava cools slowly

Gulfoss and Gyesir; part of the 'Golden Circle'

The crack we snorkeled in - between the North American and Eurasion continental plates

We just bobbed around in our dry suits and let the current carry us

The water was unbelievably clear

There were many Icelandic horses and foals… with the most luscious manes!

After ten days on the road and taking in many natural wonders, it was time for some culture - we got our fix via a three day music festival called Secret Solstice.  The weather was perfect and we saw the midnight sun two out of three nights.  It was a very friendly and happy atmosphere, with a great selection of food.  We were introduced to some Icelandic bands and also saw some old faithfuls (i.e. The Wailers and Wu-Tang Clan).

Bye-bye Kuku!

Flight Facilities on stage at Summer Solstice

While most people were busy smuggling in alcohol to the festival… Marty smuggled in pistachios.  Best snack (Dan and Miz would be proud!)

We particularly enjoyed the honest bar reviews in 'The Reykjavik Grapevine'

Tonight we are running the Midnight Sun Run (although it's looking a little cloudy at the moment) and we leave for London early tomorrow morning.

Finally, we have prepared a special treat for you… it may not be original but it was still fun (Sam and Mylie: you may recognise some moves from Betty Bentley days!)

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