We are back to one of my (Mrs. Karnes) favorite places that we have ever visited, Iceland! We made our first trip to Iceland some 6 years ago and only explored the southern part of this amazing island nation. Today we will get our first looks at northern Iceland and all of it's wonders.
We are docked in Akureyri, a city at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord in northern Iceland. It is Iceland's fifth most populous municipality and the largest outside the Capital Region. Nicknamed the "Capital of North Iceland", Akureyri is an important port and fishing centre. The area has a relatively mild climate because of geographical factors, and the town's icefree harbour has played a significant role in its history.
On our way up the Fjord we saw "Hot Water" waterfalls flowing into the fjord keeping the water above freezing and the fjord and harbor ice free all winter.
Today we have a shore excursion booked with Tripadvisor. It is called, "Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Shared Shore Excursion". I am looking forward to a day filled with new and exciting things to see and experience!
Our first stop is at Hof Cultural and Conference Center. Here we saw an art exhibit featuring artists who specialize in wooden art pieces.

The next stop was for pictures of Eyjafjörður Fjord. This fjord is over 70 kilometres (47 miles) in length from the mouth to the bottom of the fjord.
We then drove out through the countryside getting to see the snow capped mountains, glaciers and sheep!

Perhaps the most geologically active country in the world, Iceland is home to myriads of volcanoes. While an unsuspecting passerby might mistake Skútustaðagígar’s craters with volcanoes, this series of oddly shaped formations in northern Iceland are in fact the result of a rare geological phenomenon. The otherworldly landscape of Skútustaðagígar is easily accessible, making it one of Mývatn Lake area’s most remarkable sites to visit. We enjoyed our visit to these pseudo craters or fake craters despite the midges. Thank goodness we had the nets to wear to keep them away!

Dimmuborgir was formed in an eruption that occurred in the area 2,300 years ago; the Lake Mývatn area is highly volcanic, as can be further seen in nearby locations such as the geothermal Námaskarð Pass, the hot spring cave Grjótagjá, and the dramatic Krafla fissure.

As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, Dimmuborgir area became defined by large stacks of rock and many caves and caverns, caused by bubbles of intense steam.

As such, many have compared Dimmuborgir to a medieval castle, with its many hidden chambers and its rising towers. In Icelandic culture, lava caves are allegedly the homes of the nation’s brutal and vile trolls. Be sure to get your picture made in front of the "Kissing Trolls" it's supposed to be good luck.

Game of Thrones fans won't want to miss Grjótagjá, or "The Love Cave". It is located right on the Continental Divide!

The Námafjall Geothermal Area is located on the east side of Lake Mývatn was our next stop.

At this area, also known as Hverir, you will see many smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots, surrounded by sulphur crystals of many different colours. This sulphur gives the area an overwhelming smell of egg. This area is beautiful to look at but be aware it could kill you with a misstep.

Our day did not end here but alas, the video does. Tune in next week as we continue to explore more of the Lave Myvatn area, including Godafoss, One of Iceland's largest waterfalls.

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Skol!