Southern Iceland

Reynisfjara

Black rocks of the black beach

Intimate moment between Icelandic Ponies

Seljalandsfoss

Crashing Waves of Reynisfjara

Skaftareldahraun

Skaftareldahraun is a lava field with a very different feel than a number of the others due to this moss and color. This place absolutely feels like another planet.

Mushroom?

Skogafoss from above

Note that all the little white specks are gulls taking refuge on the wall

Vibrance

Standing amid a sea of gray rocks, this cracked rock stood out with its vibrant red hue. These minerals may explain the orange tint to the rivers as well.

Remember in 2008 when there was an Icelandic Volcano interfering with air travel? That was near this place. You should try saying this 10 times fast. As a side note, this was the place Walter Mitty was looking for in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"

Vík í Mýrdal

The small town of Vík, population 291. There are signs pointing to it from over 50 miles away because it's a relatively large town. The church on the hill is very typical of Iceland. Anywhere that at least 3-4 houses have been built, they will almost certainly have a church.

Colors of Reynisfjara

In a place known for black rock, this area toward the end of the beach was striking for its varied colors

Skogafoss

waterfall

Skogafoss

Waterfall

View from Reynisfjara

Black Sand of Reynisfjara

The black sand is course and heterogeneous

Basalt Columns of Reynisfjara

The rock outcrop overlooking the beach. Note the columnar basalt formations near the base; these inspired the architecture of the church back in Reykjavik.

Cave of Reynisfjara

Nessie?

I know that no evidence for the Loch Ness Monster has ever been substantiated, but I'd envision her to have big spines on her back and bear resemblance to this outcropping of rock near the black beach.

Reynisfjara

Good Luck Towers

A man who used to live on this site decided it would be good luck to build these little towers and for have anyone passing through to contribute a stone to them. It stuck, and is now a common tourist activity.

Myrdalssandur

This lava field was made by an eruption that produced the largest volume lava flow in recorded history.

Church Foundation

These very ordered rocks were originally thought to be the base of very early settlers. However, they were later discovered to be the tops of basalt colomns. it's amazing what nature can do.

Our Car, Patxi

Patxi! And this is always the background in southern iceland. always. Patxi is a typical name from the Basque region of Spain, known for being more rugged and independent. Luke and I thought that this little car would benefit from the tough name.

Baaaaaa

Spunky

That rebellious child stuck his tongue out at me!

Foss a Sidu (No Wind)

This is a unique waterfall because it's so tall yet so thin. So, sometimes it looks like this....

Foss a Sidu (Windy)

... and sometimes it looks like this!

Hallgrímskirkja

The prominent Lutheran church in Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik. Because Icelanders are very connected to the surrounding nature, some of the architectural design of this church was inspired by natural rock formations such as the basalt rock wall near Reynisfjara. I'll show you when they come up in future pictures.