We started our trip by driving out to Snæfellsness peninsula. It is supposed to be a mini Iceland with its own volcanic crater, a glacier, waterfalls, beaches, lighthouse, and basalt cliff. As we got out of Reykjavik there was a 6 km tunnel on the way to Borgarnes. This was the first of many long tunnels that we would be driving through.

Gerðuberg basalt cliffs - This is a whole cliff made out of basalt columns that can be seen from the main road.

Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum - Tasted fermented shark. It wasn’t as horrible as they made it out to be. That family has been doing this - hunting Greenland sharks - for 4 centuries. The museum was meh. The whole place was gimmicky but the location was fantastic and they had some beautiful horses at the farm.

The lava fields were just so different. Strangely shaped hoodoos and spikes and clumps all over the place. Fjords before Grundarfjorfur was a nice landscape.

Kirkjufell - The famous mountain is quite striking. When pictured along with the waterfalls it is a pretty postcard. Drove through a couple of fishing villages along Route 54. Went to see the murals in Helissandur. Quite artistic.

Snæfellsjökull national park - Stopped at the visitor center at the entrance of this park. There is an incredible restaurant called Matarlist at the visitor center. We had seafood soup and fish of the day. It was just so good. It is gourmet food at a place where you’d expect cafeteria food.

Saxhóll crater - It is a nicely shaped volcanic crater that is dormant. They have put metal steps to help climb up to the rim and a short rim walk. The views of other craters and to the ocean are majestic but it all feels very empty as there is nothing there. Empty lava fields with some roads but no trees or any other human activity.

Djupalonssandur beach - Black sand beach with some trails from the parking lot. The sun was out and it was just nice to be there to watch the waves crashing onto the beach.

Malarif lighthouse - This lighthouse is located right along the coastline. I was able to get a nice photo of the sun shining through the glass of the top room where the light is placed. It was a little windy but nice to walk around with the view of the glacier. Went to see the Londrangar rock formation along the coast. I thought this was the one with an arch but turned out to be incorrect.

Fosshotel Hellnar - Reached the hotel just after 5 pm. Made a reservation for dinner and walked on the trail towards Arnarstapi to view the arch on the beach - Gatklettur. It worked up our appetite for dinner.

We had salad and baked cheese as appetizers followed by cod and lamb as entrees. Italian merlot and Sangiovese blend went well with the food. Had a warm chocolate cake with caramel ice cream for dessert. It was a long day and we did a lot of things, but it didn’t feel that way. I think that not having crazy crowds and lines for everything makes a huge difference.