Diamond beach & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lake
From our stay we made a second trip to Jokulsalon Glacier Lake in the morning since it was just 14km away and a 10 minutes short ride. At the lake we saw both the Zodiac boat and Amphibian boat out in the water. The weather was too misty and the scenery were not as lovely as the day before. We did not stay around long and left the lake shortly.
We were ahead in our schedule. In our original plan we expected to reach the lake after 5 pm the evening before which meant we would arrive after all the boat rides were closed. So the next morning was allocated for boat ride on the lake. Last evening we managed to arrive at the lake at about 4.30pm, unfortunately though the last Zodiac boat had not sailed all the tickets were sold.The only available rides were those on Amphibian Boats.
Our first choice was the Zodiac Boat ride, though it was more costly, it took fewer passengers, went nearer to the floating icebergs and provided a longer ride (1hr) as compared to the Amphibian Boat ride. We could come back the next morning for the Zodiac ride but instead decided to go for the Amphibian Boat ride. Who would know what would happen the next day? What happened if the weather worsen and all rides were cancelled?!!
It was a great decision to sail in the Lake the day before when the weather was still clear and scenery was magical.
Vestrahorn
From our stay, Skyrhusid HI Hostel to Viking Cafe & Guesthouse where we stayed for the night was only 72km and an hour drive. The reason we did not go further to stay for the night was we wanted to some trekking at Vestrahorn and also to be prepared for bad weather condition. In the event that the sight was not ideal this day we still had the next morning for a chance of a good view.
To get to Vestrahorn we had to turn off (right) the Ring road (road 1) to Stokksnesvegur which was an unpaved road and drive on for about 5 km. It was a “wettish” day and the mist was rolling down the slope of hill on to the road and into the sea. The mist was engulfing us and our car and the quietness and the eeriness on this last stretch of the deserted road made us wondered if we were on the right route.
Finally we arrived at Viking Cafe & Guesthouse and we saw “lives” again. We felt relieve seeing people, cars and activities. We were back in civilization! The weather was bad and a drizzle had started. We went into the cafe to have our coffee waiting for a break in the bad weather. Unfortunately the weather did not improve, it got worsen by the minute. We decided not to wait but to proceed with our exploration of Vestrahorn.
Vestrahorn was on private land. To do trekking at Vestrahorn an entrance fee of 900 ISK per person was needed. Viking “Cafe and Guesthouse” was the only operator at Vestrahorn. It sold food, beverages, entrance tickets to Vestrahorn and toilet usage ticket to visitors. It also provided lodging for customers who wanted to stay overnight. The good part of booking a stay at “Viking Cafe and Guesthouse” was customers got unlimited visits to Vestrahorn during the stay!!
Vestrahorn mountain was located on Stokknes Peninsular close to the town of Hofn. This mountain was made out of iron, magnesium rich rock which accounted for its jagged appearance.
There were several walking trails at Vestrahorn, some as short as 0.5 km and the longest one was 11km. Near the cafe there was a gantry which only lifted when an entry ticket was tapped at its sensor. From the gantry was a road that led straight to the beach. Along the road was three carparks.
Our first hike was to the Viking village/Old Farms. We parked our car at the first carpark after the gantry. The rain had got heavier so we put on our raincoats. It was cold, wet and slightly windy. We only have one day and the next morning at Vestrahorn. So rain or shine we had to explore this place and leave the next day.
Looking back at the cafe we saw the mountain behind it shrouded by mist. We wondered if that was Vestrahorn, it certainly looked “nothing” like the Vestrahorn on the brochure or the stunning Vestrahorn seen on Internet! This “horrid” weather was spoiling our purpose here!
On the other hand, the Viking Village/Old Farms certainly looked more dramatic in this wet weather condition. The cool mist definitely played up the “mysterious” ambience of this place.
By the Viking Village/Farm was an abandoned Viking ship with its sail-less mast standing firm. Near the ship were many horses grazing away. These horses looked free and wild and not afraid of human. We supposed they were not wild.
From the Viking ship we walked to the abandoned farm and surprising the horses came along too. The entire place looked so deserted, so century old, so unreal and yet it was real. All these were not authentic, they were built many years ago in 2010 for a movie that was never made.
After the Viking Village we drove down to the third/last car park. There we saw an old NATO Radar station and a lighthouse. Both were not opened to visitor, we could only view them from afar.
Apparently this area was the base for the British army during the Second World War and later a NATO radar station was set up here. The lighthouse was “Stokksnes Lighhouse and was built in 1922
We walked east along the coast and managed to saw a group of seals “sun bathing” on rock far out in the water. There were a bit difficult to spot as they camouflaged well with the rock.
Stay at Viking Cafe & Guesthouse
At the side of Viking Cafe was a private entrance to a corridor where the guestrooms were allocated. Our room was a double room with ensuite bathroom. Like all other hotel guestrooms in Iceland our double room was tight. It was nice to have our own ensuite bathroom this time. The cost of the room for one night which included breakfast and unlimited entry to Vestrahorn was €198. It was a pretty steep price but Viking Cafe & Guesthouse was the only establishment around so we had to stay here.
Breakfast at the cafe was good. There was plentiful of cheese, bacon, meat, fruits, tomato, cucumber egg and great coffee! Definitely our type of breakfast.
