Akureyri - "Capital of North Iceland"

Day 6 in Iceland and we are off to Akureyri which is the 2nd largest city in Iceland with a population around 17,500.  It is nestled at the base of the Eyjafjorour fjord which is one of the longest, narrowest and straightest fjords in Iceland - it is also very beautiful. From its mouth on the Arctic Ocean (yep I said Arctic Ocean) to the base, it is 60 km.  You might think it would be really cold but today while overcast, I was in flip flops and a t-shirt with a light jacket most of the day.  There was really no wind and I have found that it is the breeze/wind that carries the chill.

Our first stop was at Godafoss waterfalls named for a momentous occasion in Icelandic history.  In 1000 ad, after serious deliberations by the Althing (their version of government) Thorgeir Thorkelsson Ljovetnigagodi (now isn't that a name?) threw his pagan idols over the waterfall and converted to Christianity.  The falls then became known as 'God falls'.

Godafoss

down river from the falls

Then back in the car for the drive to Akureyri - about 90 kms on the ring road or Hwy 1 (a two lane paved for the most part road)  For most of the drive we were in a valley between mountains with a river on one side and lots of sheep doted throughout the fields.  Here is shot from one of the rest spots.

this ring road can be seen on the left of this photo - this is looking east

We made it to Akureyri in good time and toured the town - stopping in at the Akureyri church, botanical gardens and through downtown.  It did not take us long...

Akureyri - note the huge cruise ship the Costa Pacific - I think out of Norway but not sure

Akureyri Church - note the people sitting on the right - all have accessed free wifi from a local coffee shop - we think they are staff from the cruise ship.

 pansies in July - they were everywhere and look lovely with their happy faces

downtown Akureyri - a hive of activity

After lunch we headed to Varmahlid, our stop for tonight - this is the earliest that we have ever arrived so we headed to the local swimming pool for a dip.  The pool and hot tub are heated with the geothermal waters found throughout the country.  The water did not smell of chlorine but did have a different feel - kind of silky.