Home from Iceland

Seydisfjordur in the Eastfjords

Looking down toward Seydisfjordur

We got home last night from Iceland. It's good to be home, but the reality of going back to work and school is less than ideal! The last four days of our trip around Iceland were awesome. The weather vastly improved on Thursday and we enjoyed beautiful views and even some warmish spring weather. The eastern part of Iceland was by far our favorite. Our experience may have been tempered by the fact that it was low overcast, windy, and occasionally snowing while we were in the west and beautiful and sunny while we were in the east - but I still think Eastern Iceland has some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen, anywhere.

On Thursday we drove to the small town of Seydisfjordur in the Eastfjords - the port where the ferries from Europe arrive. While we were there the clouds started to clear and we saw the first blue sky of our trip. Our guide book said that Seydisfjordur is the most beautiful fjord in Iceland and I have to agree. Unfortunately photographs do not do the Icelandic fjords any kind of justice. Even a wide angle lens doesn't truly capture the expanse. The next two fjords we drove through south of Seydisfjordur were amazing as well. The water was so clear and calm in the fjords that the reflections of the mountains were stunning.

I was amazed that even in the smallest towns we drove through, there was at least two or three hotels or guesthouses. We were able to find a room available in every town we planned to spend the night in, even thought it's the off-season. Even thought it was a little cold, it was relaxing to be on vacation when most people are not. We were the only people staying in many of the guesthouses, there wasn't much traffic, and the tourist sights weren't crowded at all.