Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Djúpalónssandur Beach

  • Another outstanding day exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula🇮🇸 (April 16, 2023)

    Another outstanding day exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula🇮🇸 (April 16, 2023)

    We made it back to the hotel last night (early morn) about 2:00 am. No Northern Lights so we will try again tomorrow night as it’s supposed to be clearer.

    Up early and ready for the Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour, which started at 8:30 am. The weather isn’t so great—rain and wind. By the way, it’s not Snuffaluffagus, rather it’s pronounced sni (as in snider) fells – ness.

    Where: The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is located northwest of Reykjavik in what’s considered Western Iceland. Get ready for some breathtaking scenery!

    What: there was so much we saw today. I will break it down in chronological order.

    How: We went with Julian from EastWest – a small group tour. There were only 7 of us. Julian is from France and loved Iceland so much that he stayed! He deserves so much credit for our safety today. At one point when we were driving, I thought the wind would blow us right off the road!

    1. Gas Station – don’t laugh. We have stopped at a lot of gas stations on these tours. They are like QT at home with food, groceries, drinks and clean restrooms. Oh and gas. I had a skyr parfait at the one this morning—I have become a huge Skyr fan! Take a look at this big map on the gas station wall—you’ll see the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on the part that jets out to the left. That’s where we explored today!

    2. Seal stop – that’s right, we went to Ytri-Tunga beach to watch the Harbour and Grey Seals. We watched 3 of them—two were casually relaxing on a rock and the third was keeping watch in the water.

    On the lookout for seals!
    Peekaboo! 🦭
    Remains of a stranded whale on the beach

    3. Gotta eat…And that we did! Lunch was at a beautiful countryside home — they rent a couple of rooms and have a horse farm.

    Lamb lasagna was one of the main dishes. Icelandic lamb is well known and 100% natural. We also had chicken, vegetable, rice, potatoes and bread. Dessert was a pear cake, which you can see sitting in the distance
    Here are the beautiful Icelandic horses with two extra gaits. If a horse leaves Iceland, they can never return.

    4. Another picturesque church! One of my favorites called Búðakirkja (Búðir is the hamlet; Kirkja = church) that dates back to 1703, although it’s been reconstructed many times since.

    Set against nature’s backdrops — the ocean, the mountains and Búðahraun lava fields—breathtaking!
    The church is painted black with pitch – the same as a hull of a ship to protect against the harsh Icelandic elements. There is a small cemetery on-site as well.
    Peeking through a window to see the Búðakirkja altar. This church has a lot of cultural significance for Iceland based on the strength and persistence of one Icelandic woman. From my research it remains the home of some original relics, including a bell and chalice.

    5. The Peninsula is named after Bárður Snæfellsás, 1/2 man and 1/2 troll. He sailed from Norway with his men in the 9th century and came ashore, built his farm a little further east on the peninsula, and became well known. Wait until you see what’s right down the path…

    6. Continue the path you reach the sea cliffs at the village of Arnarstapi. The power of the waves smashing on the rocks was awe inspiring!

    As you look at the ocean, THIS was to the right.
    Staying warm on a chilly, windy, rainy day!🩵

    7. Gatklettur, or Hellnar Arch, is a natural rock formation on the peninsula in the village of Arnarstapi

    And THIS was to the left!
    Constant wind and the beating of ocean waves have created a wonderful work of nature!

    8. Djúpalónssandur Beach is a beautiful black lava sand and pebble beach with an even prettier pathway to get there. But it’s more than just black sand. It’s situated in an arch-shaped bay where strong waves beat against it with a force that mesmerizes!

    The pathway to the beach, surrounded by amazing lava rock formations
    Djúpalónssandur black sand and pebble beach
    There were ruins scattered on the beach that were left here intentionally when a British fishing ship called The Epine GY7 wrecked on March 13, 1948. Fourteen men were killed and five survived. The ruins remain in memory of these brave fishermen.