After boarding the ferry in Thorshvn in the Faroer Islands at the end of the day, we brought our belongings to our cabin (an even nicer one than the one on the ferry from Danmark to Faroer Islands), we went straight to the lounge deck, where, from the large windows we had a great view. We passed several of the islands and cruised between two of them from east to west, before the crossing in open seas towards Iceland.
We were lucky again that the weather and the sea were dead calm. The crossing would be through the night, so after a while we went to the cabin and ate our home made sandwiches for diner.
The crossing went very smooth and when we woke up early morning, we packed our stuff and went to the open deck to see the first glimpses of Iceland. A long fjord brought the ferry to a small harbor town (the closest point of entry for ferries from Denmark and Faroer Islands).
A few minutes before mooring the ferry, all drivers and their passengers, were instructed to go to their vehicles. A little bit chaotic scene evolved on the deck (there are three car decks on the ferry) when the vehicles, motorbikes and camper trucks started to roll out, but at the end, all vehicles were offloaded fast, without bumping into each other.
Then in the port, all vehicles were lined up again, waiting to pass Customs and Immigration. The good thing was, that before you board the ferry, you already make a customs and immigration declaration on line and that will be checked, before you can even get on board. Only us got pulled aside, because they wanted to see our passports, since we came from Sint Maarten, but it was okay and approved.
When on the ferry, or in the lines for boarding the ferry, or waiting for the customs, its interesting and entertaining to see all the different vehicles people use to go on vacation to Iceland. There are off course all the “white” mobile homes (campers, often 2×4). There are different types of self modeled 4×4 campervans and the different modified 4×4 SUV’s with roof-tents or other kinds of built ups. Everybody is happy and excited, and proud of his/her little home on wheels. The place they sleep in, cook their meals and keep their belongings during the trip through Iceland. Its their time for Freedom of Independence, while away from home.
When leaving the port, we saw gas stations, small restaurants, service providers, all catering to the travelers who leave the ferry. Like a race for the best spot, or being released from a period of forced confinement, the vans, trucks, suv’s start racing away from the harbor. Time for exploring, camping and freedom has began!
A couple of kilometers away from the harbor there was parking place for a hike, so we stopped for our first coffee break in Iceland. The sun was shining, the temperature nice and the views of surrounding mountains great. Sitting on our chairs in the sun, sipping our coffee we watched all the cars, vans and campers passing by.
As usual we didn’t have a real travel plan or route, neither a bucket list of things to see or do. During our coffee break we looked at the map and agreed on our first route and destination that day. We going in northern direction and planned to stay east, close to the coast. Our destination was a far away, isolated campsite. We drove through a long green valley with many farms. We were surprised to see how “green” Iceland was (it was of course our first encounter). It was hay time, so everywhere we saw the big black or white “balls of plastic” with the mowed grass inside. The winters are long and dark here with lots of snow, so the farmers have to start stocking up on grass/hay on time, to have enough food for the cows and sheep in the winter.
The road crossed through the delta from left to right, about a kilometer from the sea. Between the sea and the road there was all tundra (grass and weeds land, with a soggy underground). It is a protected bird nesting area, internationally recognized.
On the map we were suppose to drive on a gravel, dirt road, but the road was tarred, so the journey towards the campsite started smoothly. From the delta we drove into the mountains, passing two small villages and we enjoyed great views over the delta.
After the last village, the tar road stopped and became gravel. A few kilometers further, there was a sign, which dictated that continuing the road, was only allowed for 4×4 vehicles (there was a jeep on the sign, not a 4×4 truck). Now, we knew, we could start testing the “real” Icelandic, roads.
A one lane winding track, with sharp turns and hairpins, pushed us up into the first mountains in Iceland. Although very rocky (some sharp rocks) I neglected to lower my tire pressure, which I would regret later. The truck had to work hard to climb the steep mountain track. We had luckily no upcoming traffic and we passed a 4×4 van with big tires, which was parked along the road to let its passengers stretch their legs. Some more hairpin bends I had to take, and some going back and forth to be able to pass them.
An official campsite at the foot of a steep mountain pass, was not suitable for us as it had no flat land. The warden suggested us to go over the pass and go the the next campsite.
Coming down from the mountain over the narrow pass, we passed groups of hikers with back packs, who are on a multiple day hiking trip through the Eastern mountains of Iceland. Our track went all way down towards the edges of the fjord, passing an old abandoned farm. The road was muddy and bumpy and had some big rocks.
And then it happened, sssssssss!!!!!, the right back tire was cut by a sharp rock on the side and lost all air within a minute or two. Not even one day in Iceland and I managed to get a flat tire!
We were standing on a small dirt track, which on the left went down very steeply to a small river and on the right it was pretty soggy turf ground. Cars who would want to pass us, would have to navigate through the turf with a reasonable chance to get stuck (and destroy some untouched grass and scrubs land, which is not done in Iceland) or had to stay behind us. Luckily in the beginning there were no cars behind us, so I started to take of the spare tire, jacking up the truck and loosening the wheel with the flat tire.
The big 4×4 van with passengers came and stopped behind us. Instead of going around, the passengers stepped out the bus and started walking to the campsite, which was only about 1500 meters away (yes, we were almost there when the tire went flat). None of the passengers said something when they passed us, did not even greet us, so I considered them a bunch of loosers (at least a “hello” or “do you need any help”, would make a big difference). The van driver, an older Icelandic man, with long white hair and big mustache, came to see if he could help. His help was appreciated and needed, since I had difficulties to get wheel off.
Two more cars arrived, but the changing of the tires went smoothly now. Another Icelander came to give a hand, and within an hour, I had the tire changed and put back the damaged tire on the back of the truck. In a motorcade, we all drove to the campsite, where we found a nice spot to park, away from the utility buildings and overlooking a large valley.
The next day I had to re-install the automatic inflation system, which I had to take off the damaged tire and put it on the spare tire. I made the mistake to let out the air of the spare tire in order to instal the inflation system. I never got the air back in again. Checking on Youtube, I saw guys working with “engine starter fluid” (highly explosive), to get the tire in the right place of the rim, but unfortunately, neither me nor other campers or the camp warden had engine starter fluid.
So I tried the trick with gasoline, which almost caused me to burn the truck down. Luckily I had the fire extinguisher at hand, so the fire was put down fast. A handy man of the camp advised to try with tension straps, but also that failed to do the job. I only could take down the second spare tire now and replace the empty first spare tire. Driving around in Iceland, on the rocky roads, without spare tires is not really advisable, but no other choice at that moment. Both our spares were now out of order.
The camp itself was located in a beautiful isolated area, not far from a long wide sandy beach, which was the end of a fjord. Besides the camp, the only human structure was a very small abandoned church with a graveyard with two graves. An intriguing story must be attached to this small very isolated church, with no villages or farms nearby.
After spending two quiet nights at the camp and having my fight with the tires, we left, to cross the pass over the mountain back again. What I forgot the first time, I didn’t forget this time, decreasing the tire pressure, to minimize the risk of getting another punctured tire. Still a bit nervous of driving without a spare tire and climbing the steep rocky track up the mountain, we slowly entered the foggy layers on top of the mountain. Going down, we took it slowly, to avoid sliding over the loose rocks. It’s tough to concentrate on the road and at the same time, try to enjoy the beautiful views, when coming down the steep hill on loose gravel.
The main obstacle was taken and we were rewarded with a nice coffee break at the foot of the mountain. In the meantime I had posted my “adventure” with my tires and an Icelander picked that up. It was Jon, who partially lives in Reykjavik and partially in Akureyri. He follows us since the Faroer Islands and had offered us his help, in case we needed that when we would be in Iceland.
He checked for us now and found a tire center in Akureyri, who had a tire for us. Since that town was still far away, we decided not to take any rocky roads anymore and stay on the tar and smooth gravel roads, until we would reach the tire center.
From the mountains down, we drove back towards the long causeway, which crosses the delta. At the beginning of the causeway, there was a parking lot, from where a hiking trail starts.
It was late in the afternoon, the last hikers returned from the hike. Going first through pasture land, we reached the coast line of the bay, the domain of many, many seabirds. The water was calm, small rocky outcrops dotted the shoreline. It was also our first encounter with the enormous amount of driftwood along the shoreline. For an island without hardly any trees, it looked strange to me, to find so much driftwood along the coast (and we would find that in almost every bay, beach or shore). We found out that almost all driftwood, comes from Siberia. Either cut trees, who got lost during the river transportation during logging operations, or trees which fell into the rivers, falling from collapsing riverbanks. Driftwood, is or was a welcome resource for Iceland, for economic reasons and as construction material. Coastal farms made it a profitable side business to collect the beached logs (mostly pine).
Hiking along the coast, with a fresh breeze, we admired the many cliffs, which looked like being crafted into gigantic statues. The hike ended in a small cove, which was used as a load and off-load area for ships. A cable crane spanning the cove, was used to hoist the cargo from and to the ship. This was done, since the ships were not able to sail into the river anymore, due to siltation. The rusty remnants of the hoist installation were still visible, and the cove with the small black sand beach, was taken back by nesting birds. Nature always takes back what humans took and abandoned again.
Since it was evening already when we returned to the truck, we drove back to the mountain a little bit (which was the tarred portion of the road) and parked at a view point, overlooking the delta. A great spot to camp (although wild camping is not allowed, we considered parking on a parking lot for tourists, not really “wild camping”). It was also the starting point of a few hikes and there was a shelter for stranded hikers or bicyclists. Till late in the evening tourists stopped and emjoyed the views from the parking over the delta and the long beach and left again (but not without taking a picture of our truck).
Having the hang of it now, we hiked the next morning early. Over a couple of hours, the well marked hike brought us through different spectacular landscapes. Valleys, mountain ridges, meadows and small mountain streams, flanked with ultra violet green moss, which seems like decoration in a baren rocky environment.
The trail ended at another almost unreal place, “Storuro” where huge bolders are pushed together around an ultra violet blue glacier water pool by an ancient glacier, which is still in retreat. Coming down the slope of a hill, you approach a rock garden made by nature. Between the rocks, there is green grass, like it has been just mowed to perfection. From the top the blue water pool sticks out like a magic small lake. Iceland was starting to get an hold on us.
Following the coast line, following the smaller roads, there is hardly any traffic. Most traffic is on the only main highway of Iceland, the N1. And during the summer months, almost 80% of the traffic are foreign and domestic tourists. The N1 is close to the major tourist highlights. For that route no 4×4 vehicle is needed and that is what a lot of visitors rent when they arrive by plane. They rental cars come with their own camping gear, and the drivers go from campsite to campsite. Or you can go a level up and rent a 2×4 SUV with a roof tent (or even a 4×4 for the more adventurous and experienced drivers), or rent a mobile home. Iceland has a substantial rental fleet and all these cars flood the N1 and some other paved roads in the summer time. The domestic tourist is often recognizable, driving 4×4 SUV’s with bigger than normal tires with or without a caravan. Icelanders love camping, whether with their own caravan, camper or SUV with rooftent. It’s in their genes. Hotels are not so common away from urban areas.
Many Icelanders have their vacation home on the coast, whereby the north east is a popular area, due to the climate in the summer. Many abandoned farms have been transformed into vacation homes.
A small track near a lake close to the ocean, brought us to our next wild camping spot. Except for a few curious sheep, nobody paid attention to us and so the 4th night in Iceland passed, while the almost ever blowing wind, tried to shack the truck, which helped us to fell asleep quickly.
Following the east coast towards the north we passed numerous abandoned farm houses. Small isolated houses, which by themselves look like little gems in fields of green pasture lands. Small scale farming, far away from the more civilized part of Iceland, is not profitable anymore, not even enough to supply ones own needs. Besides that the younger generations don’t want to live so far away from the civilized world and work the fields.
We saw that in other parts of Iceland, farm houses are either sold to be remodeled as vacation homes or are kept within the family, but also used as vacation homes. The pasture lands are either leased to the remaining farmers to harvest the grass for the winter or keep their animals on it.
The Icelandic coast is littered with beaches, cliffs and the most amazing rocks, like if you would drive along a gallery of artwork. Even more thrilling are the many waterfalls, just running their water of the cliff tops, straight on gravel beaches or directly into the ocean.
Towns are rare to find in Icelands, larger villages function as service center for the isolated farms and homes along the coast and the back lands. They usually have a bank, small supermarket, gasstation and sometimes a state regulated liquor shop Vinbudin. Also restaurants and coffee shops are not that common outside the two or three larger towns of Iceland.
Stopping for the first time in a supermarket in the larger harbor village of Vopnafjordu, we observed how limited shopping can be in Iceland. The quantities are limited as well as the assortment. People in the area have to accept whatever is available at a certain moment, up in the far north of Iceland and……pay for it. And that is also something that is endemic for Iceland, the high cost of living!
After swallowing the bill at the supermarket, we walked through the little village and its harbor. Notable was that once this small town – established by the Vikings in the 9th century – was the largest port of emigration to America in the late 19th century and early 20th century, when there was major economic hardship in parts of Iceland. (Especially poor farmers). Thousands of Icelanders left Iceland in that period, trying their luck overseas.
Iceland is a heaven for birds, especially seabirds. Everywhere along the coast you find them in bays, at the open sea, in ponds or nesting in the cliffs. The waters around Iceland are (still) rich in food for the birds (small fish, weeds, shell fish etc). People of Iceland live in harmony with the birds. They are serious in protecting them, warning motorists about road areas with low flying birds or forbidding people to enter nesting areas.
The list is too long and maybe to boring to mention all the different species of birds. But a few are definitely worth mentioning. Of course there is the Puffin, which we already saw in the Faroer Islands and the different types of seagulls, preying on the food, or eggs of the Puffins. But the Pink Footed Goose is a well known bird in Iceland. Iceland and Greenland have the two largest colonies. The birds migrate in the winter to the European mainland. Its magnificent to see large groups of these goose flying in formation making lots of noise, chatting with each other.
On a small peninsula at a place called Stori-Kari, another unique bird species endemic to the cold Arctic waters, is the Northern Gannet. A large seabird, with a beautiful colored head, nesting on the steep cliffs of the peninsula. They are the largest seabirds of the North Atlantic with a wingspan of two meters. Because of their capacity to eat very large quantities of fish, the word Gannet is also used for people who eat a lot!
A long one lane track, between rocks and lava stone, passing a couple of abandoned farm houses, lead to a small observation post, which overlooks the cliffs, where thousands of birds (Puffins, Sea Gulls and Gannets), compete for a place to have their nest or fight to protect their eggs and young. A small area with so much activity, all in the name of survival. A scenery which repeats itself each year, for thousands of years, regardless what humans are doing around the world. The birds, like all living creatures in nature, just live, pair, make new life, die. The circle of live!
The fog and low hanging clouds are often a spoilsport in Iceland like in the Faroes. We were just in time to see it all when the fog started rolling in over the plateau, climbing against the cliffs. A small quarry not far from the observation post, offered us a spot out of the wind to park the truck for the night. A couple of nearby breeding shore birds (Whimbrels), were making a lot of noise when we parked the truck and as we walked around. They definitely did not agree with the presence of their new neighbors.
Driving on small tracks and roads in Iceland can be tricky, especially when encountering upcoming traffic. The sides of roads and tracks can either be full off sharp rocks, which can cut your tires, or the sides consist of soft soggy turf, causing your tires to sink deep on one side of the truck, in the mud. There are often by-passes – often indicated with an M (I was told, means Meeting Place), which you can see from a distance, so you or the car approaching you, can decide to go on the side to let the other car pass. Again, like in the Faoes, there are inexperienced tourists who do not really understand the system. A few times we had issues, when passing other cars.
The track back, we passed over a bridge, like we did the day before. It had a sign “max 3ton”, we are 14ton! But studying the bridge the day before (my experience as a builder), I came to the conclusion that the bridge was designed and built to carry a lot more weight then the 3ton,. (Though, I crossed the bridge with high speed, just to be sure!).
A small bay, littered with large pebble stones and driftwood near the end of the track, was also the last resting place for a couple of whales, with huge white bones sticking out, to get attention of their faith. Iceland used to be a large whaling nation, but international public outcry ended this part of the fishing industry. However, not long ago fin whale hunting started again, but demand (especially from Japan) has declined, making whale hunting less attractive. In December 2024 Iceland provided licenses to hunt for close to 500 whales, but Iceland has only one remaining whaling vessel.
In some fishing towns, you will find the relics of the old whale hunting times, including the infamous harpoon canon (where often explosive on the harpoon itself were used to kill or paralyze the whale)
Driving along the coast, you will find a monument, really out of this world, built of crafted stones, piled on top of each other. The Arctic-Hence. A creation of an Icelandic artist, which has not been completed yet. The artwork is related to an Icelandic Saga, and story of mythological proportions. Besides the story behind it, the location is dramatic and how the structures (arches) have been built and lined up, is truly a unique achievement.
Near a causeway going through wetlands, a small spot allowed us to park the truck. A sign at the beginning of the causeway warned visitors not the enter the breeding area of the Eiderduck during the breeding season, which just finished a few days before. The sign also said that not complying could lead to imprisonment of two years and/or a fine. The Icelanders are serious about their birds, but especially the Eiderduck.
Eiderducks are part of Icelands economy. For centuries (starting in the 9th century), Icelanders collect the soft belly down from the nests of the ducks, just after they have left their nests. The down is a high value commodity used in clothing and bedding. Farmers along the coast have collected the down as a nice side business for years. They even help the birds with providing nesting huts and protect them against predators (like the Arctic fox). It is in fact a kind of friendship relationship between the eiderduck and the farmer. The farmer provides nesting huts and security, the eiderduck leaves behind the down when the breeding time is over. Sounds perfect! The eiderduck actually is world wide one of the first animals on the planet to receive a protective status by a government.
It takes 66 nests and 65 hours of manpower to have 1 kilo of workable Eiderdown! The down is the worlds’ most most warm natural fiber, but also the rarest! Each year only 4000 kilos are collected, of which 3000 kilos in Iceland. A pillow filled with Eider down can cost around 3000 Euro!!
The down makes it possible for the ducks to stay in the freezing waters of the Arctic all the time. The cold doesn’t effect them. The down traps air and repels water, like no other material in the world.
With the Eider ducks gone, we walked along the shore line of a small peninsula towards a lonely lighthouse. No signs of any life in and around the lighthouse, only the sounds of crushing waves on the big boulders, protecting the lighthouse from being hammered by the ocean water. There, on top of the boulders, we were standing on the most northern point of Iceland, touching the Arctic circle.
A campsite called 66.20 (referring to the latitude 66), was the only spot where we could camp that night. The owner was a very nice and jolly guy. He loved to have a camper truck from Sint Maarten on his campsite. He gave us a nice spot on the waterfront and while parking the truck, we saw whales passing by very close to shore, hunting a school of herring.
It was our first encounter with a real camping in Iceland. Being early in the afternoon, we saw one after the other visitor arriving in the campsite. Small rental cars with rooftents (the Dacia Duster is one of the most popular rental cars), motorbikers with their tents, campervans and people just with their tents. It’s nice to see how each and everyone is setting up camp for the night, with whatever they come with.
The campsite is a so-called established campsite, with showers, toilets and a communal kitchen where people without their own facilities can cook and eat together with others at long tables, making it a nice place to be socially engaged. There was a good vibe inside!
Not far from our campsite is the touristic small town of Husavik. A cruiseship destination and starting point of many popular whale watching tours.
Entering town, we were happy to see that we made the right decision to camp at our previous campsite. The towns official campsite was packed like a parking lot, with too many campervans and others, almost bumper to bumper. On the streets many tourists in heavy colorful cold weather outfits. The town was bustling with life, something we hadn’t seen yet in Iceland.
Booths with big signs “whale watching tours”, were trying to lure in clients. Long lines of tourists were waiting to get their tickets and others were lining up to get dressed into arctic weather suites, before entering one of the whale watching boats.
Squeezed into small rubber boats or the little bigger former whale scouts boats, groups of up to 30 people setting out to the cold open see, conquering the waves, their cameras firing ready, for the shots of a lifetime.
Seeing a whale (mostly only its back or the tail), is almost guaranteed, when going on a whale watching tour in Iceland. These packed tours, make me think of safari parks in Africa, where you also share the sight of a lion with 100 people around you. This makes one also start to wonder if this type of mass tourism will effect the lives of the whales. Scientists are busy to study the effects of the whale watching tours on whales, which might result in measures to limit the number of tours and the distance these boats should keep from the whales (I have seen pictures where passengers of these boats could almost touch the whales).
The so called “Whale Museum” in the harbor, was a typical tourist trap. Before being able to visit the actual “museum” you have to go through a big souvenir shop, where hungry cruise ship passengers are buying “their memories” of the whales. So we were in and out, not even went into the museum.
In the harbor, where the whale watching boats come and go, we saw some interesting older ships. And we were surprised to see these ships, because not long ago, we were in contact with a company doing small private cruises with old sailing ships through the biggest fjord in the world, in Greenland. We didn’t know that the homebase of these ships was in Husavik. Only now we realized how small these boats actually are and the lack of comfort we would have had for a two week cruise in a cold climate like that of Greenland. Beautiful boats, but not for us to do a cruise with!
Driving out of Husavik, we crossed paths with another Zetros with a Bliss unit! We as well as the other people were surprised to see another Zetros and then with a Bliss unit. There are not many of them. We met on the middle of the road, so not much opportunity to talk….but we would meet again.
For a few days now we drove without spare tires, but on surfaced roads. We knew that in the town of Akureyri there was a tire shop with a tire we needed, so after a detour, we headed that direction.
On the way we passed one of the signs, indicating an interesting site to see and visit. A small wooden church (as so many in Iceland), with an old farm house next to it. But it was not just an farm house. It was one of the few farm houses made out of turf (thick grass, grass roots plaques, stacked on top of each other, making the walls of a building).
Wood was scares and therefor very costly in Iceland, before modern construction methodes were introduced and Iceland became a strong economy. Turf was an easy to get construction material. Driftwood logs were used to make the roof frames, and birch trees and living turf (the grass keeps growing on the roof) were used to make a water tight roof cover.
The turf farm houses were made like little citadels. Different rooms were connected with above ground tunnels or galleys, made also from turf. For those who could afford it, the living quarters (bedrooms, kitchen and living room) had wood paneling on the inside, making the rooms more livable. The houses were constructed like self supporting living communities, so that during the long, dark and harsh winters, all can stay inside. A lage storage room, with meat, fish, flour and other food items, was stocked up before winter started. The lady of the house was responsible for stocking up and distribution during the winter so to make sure that everybody in the house and an occasional visitor, had enough food until the end of winter.
The farm house name is “Grenjaoarstadur” (try to pronounce that correctly), and it is the largest of its kind, and it is often referred to as an Icelandic palace. It was once one of the six best places in the country to live. It says something about all other homes at that time! It had its own smith, grain mill, carpentry and even a small post office! The museum inside is well stocked with artifacts from the days gone by and provides detailed information about the house and how life was in the house. Interesting items were the so called “bed-planks”. These are personal carved wooden planks, placed on the bed, to claim that it is your bed. Otherwise somebody else would sleep in it!
Due to the turf used to build houses since the Vikings arrived, there are hardly any old buildings to find in Iceland. The life span of a turf house is between the 20 and 70 years, depending on the weather conditions and regular maintenance. So finding a conserved farm house of about 200 years old is rare. But it gave us a good idea about Icelandic life on the previous 100 to 200 years. Life was not easy, also not for the well off and luxury was not important. Something you notice till today in Icelandic culture.
Our last stop before we reached the town of Akureyri, was the beautiful lake of Myvatn. (Which means midges). Its a popular tourist destination, with a couple of campsites and two hotels. Nearby is also a big center with hot water baths and a famous cave with blue water, used in one of the scenes of the Netflix series Game of Thrones.
The lake is a volcanic lake in an active volcanic area, surrounded by volcanic landforms. It’s very rich in biological activity, hence the great variety in plants around the lake. This in turn attracts many water birds species. The lake and its surrounding area are a protective nature reserve.
Being close to the main ring road (N1), its a busy area, and a gasstation, supermarket and small restaurant are like a get together point, were travelers meet, fill up their cars, stock up on food supplies and get a bite in the restaurant (since they only serve Fish and Chips, we joined the others).
We drove around the lake (which since 2000 is the scene of a “round the lake marathon”), and were indeed surprised to see beautiful vegetation in and around the lake, which therefore resembles and oasis, in a landscape of grey and black rocks. Indeed there is an abundance of birdlife, especially during the summer months.
As I said the lake is in the middle of an active volcanic area. Nearby, many hot-springs are utilized to generate electricity or provide comfortable healthy warm water to spas and swimming pools.
An interesting phenomenon are the so called mud-volcanos. And entire hill has been created over thousands of years, by small tubes in the earth crust, spitting out hot fluid grey mud. On and next to the mountain, many small pools or little hills, are puffing with steam and mud. The smell is unbearable (sulfur, like rotting eggs). When drying up, the mud (and so the hill) stands out with its light yellow, orange, pink colors, compared with volcanic rock surrounding it.
Hundreds and hundreds of visitors, visit this site, walking around the lower mud volcano pools. We went a bit further, climbing the steep mud volcano hill, providing us with a clear and wide view over the entire “mud area”.
Wild camping in a touristic area is usually difficult to find, so we ended up on a nice campsite, on a hill, where from the highest plateau, we had a great view over the entire lake. So peaceful, hard to imagine, the brutal forces which were at work here thousands or millions of years ago, to create such a beautiful landscape.
