Around Iceland in 14 days (article 8 of 10)

Day 10
31 Aug 2015
Namafjall Hverir Volcanic spring, Bridge over Jokulsa, Myvatn Bath, Geyser Bread, Trekking at Lake Myvatn

First Stop
Drove: 192 km

Namafjall Hverir. A high temparature geothermal area with furmaroles and mud pots. At a depth of 1km, the temparature is above 200 deg C. Along the steam comes fumarole gas, such as hydrogen sulfide which is repsonsible for the characteristic hot spring smell in the area (i.e rotten egg). The hot springs produce considerable sulphur depopsits which was mined for centuries to produce gun powder. (info adapted from information signboard)

The landscape is surreal as you see the steam coming from the pools, the boiling acidic liquid like the movies and the orange soil. Entrance is free.

Mývatn Nature Bath
Drove 4 km.

The Myvatn Nature Bath is located within the Lake Myvatn Geothermal area.It has a stunning view of the surrounding and is less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. The difference is the water for Myvatn is natural from the underground geothermal source while Blue Lagoon is from the effluent of a power plant. Both are rich with minerals. We celebrated Mye's birthday here. Entrance fee EUR80 for the four of us.


This was where we saw the famous Icelandic geyser bread where the bread is baked in the ground, heated by the heat of the geothermic soil. You eat it with butter and the taste is really really good. It is dense but has the texture of a wet cake. So, when you eat it the bread stays together and not crumbly. It has some sweetness and something mildly sharp in it which is difficult to describe. Don't miss the volcanic bread when you are there. The Dutch has something similar, but nothing close to the Icelandic one.

Figure: We bought our first geyser bread (called 'rugbraud') at a supermarket at EUR3 which is cheaper than here EUR6. It was recommended by a local who asked us to try it. 

Is an Icelandic Rye bread. Ttraditionally baked in a pot ('rugbraud') or steamed in special wooden casks by burying it in the ground near a hot spring ('hverabraud') (Source: adapted from Wikipedia).

Dab butter, you are in heaven!

Trekking Lake Mývatn

Drove 13 km.

Trekking is an activity I thoroughly enjoy and miss trekking back home where nothing beats the tropical jungle when it comes to jungle trekking. Trekked along the lake and up a hill slope to have a good view of the surrounding. We were awestruck and sat down for a while to enjoy the scenery. We brought towels along with us to 'swat' away the summer flies - very very small flying insect. Somehow we did not encounter that many compared to how others told about it in the net. 
It is a very very quiet place with the silence occasionally broken by the sound of birds. Let my son navigated the trek which he passed with flying colours.
Oh yes, make sure you bring binoculars with you as there are so many nice animals and nature to see in the distance. And like any trek, bring your phone, plenty of water, some energy bars and at least one torchlight...just in case you get lost.

Overnight Bjarg Camping site at Reykjahlid
Drove 10 km.

This camping site backdrop was so beautiful and amongst the cleanest camp site we have stayed in (not the others are dirty, they clean), this one is just super clean. They also provide hot water at the sink which is nice when you wash your dishes in the outside cold air. Address 660 Reykjahlid. It is not a member of the Camping Card - so we had to pay the full charges.

End of Article 8.          Next Click Here >>>

Links to:

Article 1 - Reykjavik

Article 2 - Bridge Between 2 continents, Seltun Geothermal steam, Blue Lagoon, first overnight stay in Campervan, Aurora

Article 3 - Pingvellir Parliament, Geyser Southwest

Article 4 - South Gulfoss, Gluggafoss, Eyjafjallajokull volcano

Article 5 - Black Sand Beach, View of the Glacier

Article 6 - Glacier Walk, Zodiac Boat Ride in the Lake, Ice Beach
Article 7 - Hofn and Fjardabyggd
Article 8 - (this article) - Hverir, Myvatn Nature Bath and Lake Myvatn

Article 9 - Whale watching, Exploration Museum, Godafoss Waterfall, Akureyri Sundlaug 

Article 10 - Akureyri Christmas Shop, 14th Century Port, Old Church, Dalvik, Beautiful valley Oxnadalur, Overnight Varmahlid, Glaumbaer turf house, Hill with crater, Reykjavik city, Last Sundlaug