May 21, 2021: Day 4 of our 12-day drive around Iceland road-trip. This morning saw us leaving the village of Ísafjörður to make the scenic drive to Laugarbakki. Today’s 225 mile adventure began with us hugging the coastal inlets of the West Fjords were we watched whales spout in the crystal clear water. The weather has been perfect so far. Clear blue skies, light winds and temperature in the low 30’s to mid 40’s Fahrenheit. The pictures do not do justice to the breathtaking views.
We passed through the hot springs at Reykjanes and picked up the 35 miles of narrow, winding, dirt/gravel road over the snow-covered pass to the small coastal town of Hólmavík were we refueled at the automated gas station and visited the elf houses.
We then continued along the scenic coast, past sheep farms and horse ranches until we met back up with Iceland’s major ring road (Road 1) and finally arrived at Laugarbakki (permanent population of 57) and our lodgings for tonight.
The Laugarbakki hotel sits alone in the middle of rolling grass hills, next to a stream. It is a former boarding school turned tourist hotel/convention center. Only 15 of the 50 rooms are currently occupied.
Tomorrow we make the short drive to Akurey, the unofficial capital of Iceland’s Northern lands.
We scheduled our Covid-19 PCR test today for next Friday, May 28th, which is required to enter back into the USA (test has to take place within 3 days before travel entering USA). We fly out on Sunday, May 30th evening. Testing site is only a 10 minute drive from our hotel in downtown Reykjavik, the appointment window for scheduling is only 7 days in advance, test cost us each $61.16, results will be texted and emailed to us (we have to show the email at check-in at KEF airport)
