Day 2 - 3.8. Golden circle

After refreshing 6 hour sleep we took descent breakfast in Radisson. Next we had to go to famous and everywhere listed discount supermarket Bonus (pink pig in logo), where all the tourists buy staff (its the cheapest one).

Bonus supermarket

Radisson SAS 1919

First day we had a single goal – to see golden triangle and find accommodation in inland. First stop was Thingvellir – the oldest parliament in the world. Whole area was very well preserved, we took very nice walk around, there were many things to see and as it was our first stop we wanted to enjoy Icelandic nature.

Thingvellir place

Next stop was Geysir and its thermal neighbourhood. Unfortunately Geysir is not any more active (due to blocked hole) so main attraction is Geysirs brother Strokkur. He injects water every 6 minutes to 15-30 meters. I cannot imagine Geysir and his 80 meters in past. Each water and steam dose was quite effective and you have big chance to get wet here (or steamed). We visited also small volcano museum there, much more money we spent for lunch here, for IKEA style lunch we spent 9000 ISK, which means 60 EUR. Yep, Iceland is expensive country.

Strokkur

Strokkur

Geysir doesnt work anymore

Last stop – Gullfoss giant waterfall. First waterfall we visited, very well accessible and again overcrowded by tourists.

Gulfoss

Gulfoss and view into second cascade 

That’s main issue of Golden circle, its close from Reykjavik, so you meet there all tourists. Mandatory program was done, now it was time to go to our accommodation destination and leave after few kilometers Road 1. Then we understood why Google calculates for 60 kilometers on grave path almost 2 hours. All F roads are very tough, covered by stones and gravels, it’s almost impossible to travel faster than 60km/h, mostly even less.

F road behind us

F road and infront of us

Wasteland around F road

Change wheel is not that funny here

Vibration and shakes which car has to take are very intensive. Normal (2 wheel drive) cars are not allowed to access F roads, and it’s clear why, not speaking about wading. During our first day we saw what F road can do with your car, we saw and helped with one tire defect (try to exchange on your own big wheel on JeepJ) and saw one more issue with car axis. First day we also faced our first micro wading, but for us it was first sign of adventure, so we really enjoyed it. Finally at 8 p.m. we reached Hveravellir camp. And let me say that this was without questions the worst accommodation we had in Iceland. Thehut we had was old, stinky, the kitchen was even worst and almost no space for anything. 1 hour later arrived 20 Italians and situation was even spicier. Not speaking that for the whole camp and the hut there is only one men toilet and a shower. Anyway we though this is normal in Iceland (but it’s not) and accept everything as interesting change against previous night in 5 star Radisson.

Hveravellir hut where we spent our night, pool is on the left side

The only benefit of this place is a thermal pool, just behind the hut. But you have to get there, what is little bit complicated when the camp is full of people and of course everybody wants to be in. Ivo nominated himself to Chef role and prepared quite windy dinner – Heinz beans with sausages and lens soup. Around 10 p.m. we also dived into pool, its was relaxing, water temperature is managed by two tubes – hot one and cold one, so it’s up to you if you want to boil yourself or cool down. We faced one more funny issue, one of Italians somehow liked us more than his pals and he chased us during our whole stay. There was no place to hide or escape. So greetings to one-hand barman from Rome. Last but not least let’s mention snoring competition among Ivo and one old guy in the hut. Ivo won.

Our chef Ivo and the soup

Local thermal pool with Ivo and Jirka

Driving 210km, roads 36, 37, 35 and F35