Day 11
We leave Kolkuós In the morning with a little regret. Are we going to see anything so beautiful and photogenic as well today? We believe so. Today we continue on our northern route to the next fjord. However, we will also turn inland. Once again, a mixture of historical and natural attractions awaits us.
We leave the coastal waters and move south.
The weather is unstable. We hope that today will be without rain.
We continue along the northern part of the island. Our first stop is the Glaumbaer estate, which shows how the Icelanders lived in 18-19. century.
The houses are built of grass turf.
It is a farm where more than 20 people lived. Three buildings have a separate entrance, the others are interconnected by a central corridor. When the winter came, life on the farm moved to the interior.
The study and principal guest room of the owner of the farm. He performed several functions. He was a teacher, a priest, but also a blacksmith. On the walls are photos of important Icelandic citizenson who visited the farm.
The closed complex of rooms provided most of the activities needed to survive the long winter without having to go outside the main building. This is the kitchen.
Dining room.
Bedroom.
The beds were also places for housework.
There was also time to play board games.
Room for the production of skyr and chees.
Farm buildings from the windward side. Turf blocks were laid in the so-called herring pattern.
We move on farther. Kólugljúfur Gorge ...
... hides a multiple waterfall. The view from the bridge over the river is nice, but why not to try a more detailed shot from that rock plateau?
So climbing the rock was really worth it.
One more unplanned stop. Winter is approaching and most sheep go to the slaughterhouse.
Sad look of sad sheep.
This sheep in other place will help us leave the gloomy thoughts. She grazes happily in the meadow and enjoys the nice weather. Only her make-up is too much extravagant.
One more stop. A hill called Borgarvirki. It took a long time for archaeologists and historians to agree that the site served as a defensive fortress for the Vikings. It was enough to build a rock wall in the narrow entrance on the left. Nature took care of the rest.
A resident of the fortress appeared among the rocks. Rock ptarmigan. At first glance, a cross between a hawk and a partridge. But it has nothing to do with the hawk. It belongs to the genus of grouse.
We return to the sea at the end of the day. A colony of seals lives here. Further on the coast there is one of the most amazing creations of nature.
Local seal family.
And here this natural miracle and the reason why tourists come here. Hvitserkur rock formation. Nothing special at first glance. Let's try from a different perspective and in the evening light.
Once again a side view ...
... in this shot, the rock formation is already revealed in all its beauty. The rock tests our imagination. Is it a dragon, a dinosaur, an elephant?
It most often reminds people of a rhino.
The structure of the rock is formed by almost horizontal basalt columns.
The sea is shallow in these places and during low tide the rock is partially situated on land.
Final view from the coast.