Because we could not get a return flight back to Frankfurt on the scheduled date of Wednesday to join the International Team to recommence the Run in Germany, the small International Team remained in Iceland for an extra two days, and planned to rejoin the others tomorrow. In the meantime our small Team visited an extra five schools yesterday and today we further explored Iceland.

In the torrential rain we drove from Reykjavik and headed 400 km southeast to visit the magnificent natural feature of Jökulsárlón, a glacier river lagoon. We passed through some stunning and magical landscape, unfortunately shrouded in low cloud and rain, but on the way back the weather temporarily cleared up for us, and the sun shone to reveal the unique Icelandic landscape in all its glory.

We passed through glacial ‘deserts’ where a volcanic eruption under the glacier in 1996 brought a torrent of glacial melt water that inundated the surrounding area and washed away many bridges.

After four hours of driving we finally arrived at Jökulsárlón, and as soon as we saw the icebergs floating in the river we all simultaneously said “Wow!”

It certainly has a high ‘wow’-rating rating factor as you can see from the photographs.

The white cap of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier dominates the lagoon and its icebergs. As we arrived we witnessed one of the icebergs breaking up and a large chunk of ice toppling into the water with an almighty splash.

We were extremely fortunate to get a tour of the lagoon in an outboard motor boat steered by Ögmundur Einarsson, so many, many thanks to him for letting us take a most memorable ride.

The tourists can take a ride on a boat that can drive on land.

The icebergs are spectacular and are quite enchanting and mystical with their different shapes, features and shades of white and blue.

The bluer icebergs are the most recent ice breaks from the glacier as they haven’t been in contact with the air for very long. And with the recent rain the icebergs retain their blueness for longer.

This one looks like a baby elephant.

The glacier retreats about 100m per year, so there are many icebergs in the lagoon all year round.

As we twisted and turned around the icebergs, every so often a seal would pop its head out of the water and watch us go pass. Out on the lagoon it was bitterly cold but the atmosphere was very unique and one that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Whilst taking the tour of the lagoon the rain had eased and the clouds parted to reveal blue sky above us and cast sunshine on some of the icebergs lighting them up. In the distance we could see other glaciers bathed in sunlight and the towering ice capped mountains.

Special thanks must go to Elínborg Baldursdóttir and Silvia Schukraft for arranging our remarkable boat trip on the lagoon.

On our 400 km road trip back to Reykjavik we stopped at a breath-taking waterfall where you could venture behind it and admire the torrents of water falling down below into the river. It was quite mesmerising to watch and despite the tremendous noise, strangely peaceful and calming.

We also stopped to take a closer look at one of the glaciers.

We ventured to the base of one glacier and they are far bigger than you realise.

They are constantly moving and the ice now and then creaks. We were tempted to walk on the glacier, but are told it is very dangerous so we heeded the warning and stayed on firmer land.

When we arrived back in the city the Icelandic boys treated us to an ice cream farewell party to mark the end of our adventures in Iceland. And we ate a lot of ice cream – some more than others may I add.

Tremendous thanks to Rúnar for showing us the wonderful sights Iceland has to offer, and especially for driving us the 800 km round trip today; and we survived his driving!

We leave Iceland after a truly wonderful and memorable time. The natural landscape that we saw and the places that we visited were only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. At some point in the near future we all vow to return to see more of this incredible country.

Our visit to Iceland was made all the more special by our hosts who treated us with so much kindness and patience and we had a most enjoyable time in their company. Their sense of humour is rather close to that of the British! Thank you so much guys – Suren, Gangane, Víðir, Upajukta, Andrés, Ágúst, Snatak and the restaurant ‘Ecstasy’s Heart Garden for providing us with delicious lunches. We will return!!

---

Team Members:
Mark Collinson (England), Ondrej Vesely (Czech Republic), Pierre Lantuas Monfouga (France), Rúnar P. Gígja (Iceland).

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

< Iceland 6 September

Ísland 5. september > Germany 8 September >

Ísland 4. september