night owl
One thing I’ve long since realized about myself is that I hate doing things the way other people do them. So, while it’s difficult to have one of the most popular tourist stops in Iceland to oneself, it IS possible to be the only one there awake. I realized this last year, when I arrived at Jökulsárlón around 3 in the morning, only to find it was cold, drizzly and somehow not nearly as spectacular as it usually is. (see previous blog post)
I decided to make another attempt now, and set out Tuesday evening (june 21) around 10 from Hafnarfjörður, arriving just after 4 in the morning at the lagoon. This time, I was rewarded with clear calm weather. Watching the sun come up over one of the most beautiful places in the northern hemisphere, with only the sound of birds and the occasional rumble of another glacier breaking apart disrupting the silence, was awesome , needless to say.
I only got to spend a short 30 minutes of an afternoon here when I was touring Iceland by bus - I wish it was all day. Sadly, it was only a rest-stop and I snapped what photos I could; without the more dramatic lighting the late June sun brings. As always, very beautiful, and the “splash” shot on your flickr site is spot-on.