The breathtaking sight of icebergs floating in the lagoon – Jokulsarlon.
A long drive through the misty fjords leads us eventually to the town of Hofn. My guide book’s aid to pronunciation is to say “hup’n” whilst breathing in sharply! I try this and it just sounds like I’m about to sneeze or gasp my last so content myself with the thought that I’m highly unlikely to say the word to anyone as we’re only here for a couple of hours. We’re booked into the glacier exhibition which is fascinating and brings back memories of my Geography lessons. Consequently I bore husband and son with my knowledge then realise I’m not quite an expert, so gloss over the detail when son’s questions become a little too complicated,
“Yes…um…well….u-shaped valleys….striations….and….ooh yes what does it say over here about it?”
Think I get away with it.
Hunger making itself known, we notice a couple at the museum wandering off in search of a little lobster restaurant. We luck out with a cafe in the Netto Supermarket! Some slices of pizza and plastic cups of coffee will do us nicely. They offer free refills of the coffee which of course we insist on having, despite the fact we don’t really want another cup and it will only necessitate frequent wee-stops this afternoon.
Our next stop, Jokulsarlon, is truly amazing. Icebergs of great age and beauty float on this glacial lagoon and then drift out to sea. The glacier has been flowing down the mountain for centuries, gouging this 100m deep lake. We take an amphibious vehicle tour, moving slowly amongst the icebergs which are sometimes turquoise in colour or stripey like big Everton mints. Jokulsarlon is a popular film location and has been used for the Lara Croft Tomb Raider film and a couple of James Bond ones, most recently Die Another Day.
It’s not far from this magical spot to our home for the next two nights, Hotel Skaftafell. Another lovely welcoming place but, like the previous hotel, no hairdryer… so send hubby to reception to borrow one before the bus trips come and nab them. Hubby then goes off on one of his wanders to reach the glacier which is at the back of the hotel. Son and I slob in front of the TV. Poor choice of only two channels this time: some Icelandic soap and “Movies4Men”, (for those of you without SKY this is not what you might think).
At dinner this evening for once there is a Kids Menu and it’s hugely cheaper than what we’ve been forking out so far. But son is getting used to eating well and insists he is too old for the kids meal:
“Oh but what about some nice chicken nuggets and chips?” I implore.
“No, I think I fancy the lamb fillet”, our little gastronome chirps.
“But that’s the most expensive thing on the menu, it’s 30 quid! How about spaghetti bolognese?”
“No thanks, I’ll have the lamb” he insists.
“Well you better bloody eat it”
He does…….
July 2007
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