Waterfalls and Icebergs

We set off along the south coast and our first stop was the Fjadrargljufur Canyon.  This amazing place was formed about 9000 years ago and you start with a steep climb up to the top of the canyon and then an easier walk along the top.

This photo was taken looking back along the canyon.  You can see a brown cloud at the end which was caused by wind blowing across the lava fields.

We had a scenic stop for lunch just before Svartifoss, the black waterfall.  It was a desolate area in the middle of lava fields but with an amazing view of the glacier.

Just a short drive onwards and we got to the Svartifoss.  It's called the Black Waterfall because of the black basalt columns over which the water falls.  It was another very steep uphill hike to get to this viewpoint.  

The highlight of the day for me was our final stop at the Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon and nearby beach.  The giant blue icebergs break off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier as it melts and float into a large lagoon, the ice collects here until smaller bits break off and continue their journey to the sea.  While we were there we actually witnessed this happening - it made quite a boom.  

At the nearby beach some of the icebergs get pushed back onto the shore so you can see them close up.  It's an amazing place but also quite sad if you think of this as the end of a glacier that has existed for thousands of years.