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Akureyri, Iceland: Waterfall of the Gods and Midge Lake (with the AIDAaura to Greenland and Iceland 5)

Weşandin: 30.07.2022

Our second stop in Iceland was the city of Akureyri in the northern part of the island.


Icelandic landscape
Icelandic landscape


Our excursion started here in the morning. First, we went to Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. In the year 1000, pagan statues were submerged in the raging waters here after the adoption of Christianity as the state religion.


Godafoss
Godafoss


The waterfall is 15 meters high, but particularly wide.


Godafoss
Godafoss


It is a very popular tourist destination. Several buses, including those from cruise ships, made a stop here.


Godafoss
Godafoss


Next, we continued through the hilly green landscape to Namaskard.


Namaskard geothermal area
Namaskard geothermal area


The geothermal area was also very popular among tourists.


Namaskard geothermal area
Namaskard geothermal area


It was steaming and bubbling, offering a beautiful variety of colors.


Namaskard geothermal area
Namaskard geothermal area


In the past, sulfur was extracted here, which was needed on the European continent for gunpowder production.


Namaskard geothermal area
Namaskard geothermal area


We then moved on to some other rock formations: we visited Dimmuborgir.


Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir


Here, approximately 2000-year-old lava forms bizarre shapes.


Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir


Several well-developed paths lead through the rocks.


Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir


From a viewing platform, there was also a good view of Lake Myvatn, the Midge Lake. With an area of almost 40 km², it is the fourth largest lake in Iceland.


Myvatn
Myvatn


Since 1974, this area has been a nature reserve to protect the waterbirds that stop here.


Myvatn
Myvatn


We then made a final stop at Skutustadagigar. These craters form a green hill landscape that extends into a lake.


Skutustadagigar
Skutustadagigar


When we arrived, it was raining, so our tour guide kept this stop quite short.


Skutustadagigar
Skutustadagigar


However, our tour guide had already explained on the bus what to do in Iceland when it rains: wait for 5 minutes.


Skutustadagigar
Skutustadagigar


Indeed, the rain disappeared as quickly as it had come (which seemed to surprise our tour guide a bit).


Skutustadagigar
Skutustadagigar


So, we were able to enjoy the view, even if it was mostly from the warmer indoor areas, with the weather turning sunny.


Return to Akureyri
Return to Akureyri


After having coffee and cake at a hotel nearby, which was very idyllically situated on a hill in the middle of nowhere, we returned to Akureyri.


Return to Akureyri
Return to Akureyri


In the city, we took a short walk that led us from the cultural center Hof to the city center.


Hof cultural center Akureyri
Hof cultural center Akureyri


We strolled along the - rather short - pedestrian zone Hafnarstraeti, which has several cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.


Akureyri
Akureyri


A staircase at the end of the street led up to Akureyrarkirkja. The church was designed by the Icelandic state architect Gudjon Samuelsson.


Akureyrarkirkja Akureyri
Akureyrarkirkja Akureyri


500 meters further is the city's Botanical Garden.


Botanical Garden Akureyri
Botanical Garden Akureyri


It is home to over 6000 foreign and 400 indigenous plants.


Botanical Garden Akureyri
Botanical Garden Akureyri


The climate seems to be very favorable here in the summer, as we were greeted by a profusion of flowers.


Botanical Garden Akureyri
Botanical Garden Akureyri


We particularly liked the blue poppy that we saw in the garden.


Botanical Garden Akureyri
Botanical Garden Akureyri


Our way back took us past the old school.


Old School Akureyri
Old School Akureyri


A short distance away, there is a small path leading down to the town. This path is known as the 'Path of Destruction'. In the past, it was used by students seeking entertainment to reach the dance hall down by the water. The more respectable classmates gave the path this name.


'Path of Destruction / Education'


However, if you climb up the path, it becomes the 'Path to Education'. Later, a tradition emerged where first-year students would walk up this path on their first tour to reach the school.


'Path of Destruction / Education'


To this day, the path bears both names.


Dance Hall Akureyri
Dance Hall Akureyri


We walked along the water back to the harbor and our ship, which was anchored here together with two other cruise ships (which may also explain the many buses at the sights).


Return to Akureyri
Return to Akureyri


We spent the departure from the fjord on deck, even though it had become quite chilly with the cold wind.


Departure from Akureyri
Departure from Akureyri


In the evening, we could gaze upon a blue sea that was illumined by the sun.



And eventually, some whales appeared, swimming alongside our ship.


Whales
Whales


The sunset was not until after 11 p.m., so we were able to enjoy the beautiful weather (even if mostly from the warmer indoor areas) for a while longer.


Evening atmosphere on the sea
Evening atmosphere on the sea


Bersiv

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