September 27, 2017 - Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss Waterfall, Dimmuborgir, Natural Baths, Dettifoss Waterfall

Our itinerary called for visiting of Lake Mývatn.  On the way to Lake Mývatn, we stopped by the Goðafoss Waterfall (named the "Waterfall of the Gods" according to Icelandic Sagas).  The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.  It was a very windy day and we had to walk about 10 minutes to this waterfall.  However, the view of this waterfall is spectacle. 

When we got to Lake Mývatn, we realized that the name Mývatn is sometimes used not only for the lake but the whole surrounding inhabited area. The River Laxá, Lake Mývatn and the surrounding wetlands are protected as a nature reserve (the Mývatn-Laxá Nature Conservation Area, which occupies 4,400 km²).

Then, we took a walk at Dimmuborgir which has twisted towers of coagulated rock breach the earth’s surface to form a lava field full of giant pillars, chimneys and tubes to scramble across.

We had an optional tour of taking a bath at Natural Baths.  It is smaller than the Blue Lagoon and has not mud. However, it was very enjoyable.  

After the wonderful bath, we visited the Hverir which is a Geothermal spot noted for its bubbling pools of mud and steaming fumaroles emitting sulfuric gas.

We visited the Dettifoss Waterfall which is with the greatest volume of any waterfall in Europe, 500 cubic metres of water per second plunges over the edge. Dettifoss is 45m high and 100m wide. It is located in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, this waterfall is so thunderous that it makes the surrounding rocks vibrate.

According to the Northern Light Forecasting web site, the northern light activity level was strong for tonight, however, there were too cloudy.  Some of us did not want to give up the chance of seeing northern lights, therefore, we still ventured out to the boardwalk by the water trying to see northern lights.  However, the cloud did block all activities and we tried without any success.