Iceland: Jokulsarlon

Jokulsarlon, Iceland: panorama of the lagoon
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Yo Yo Yo! It's the night before Iceland's Independence Day, and a bunch of Icelanders and I are pre-gaming in Hafnarfjordur, a suburb of Reykjavik.  Apparently we're going out around 2 or 3 a.m. and then staying out until tomorrow morning.  Not exactly Boston nightlife hours.

I'm staying in a great cozy apartment in the middle of Reykjavik's 101 (Iceland's 90210).  Everyone here has been amazing - I got picked up at 6 a.m. from the airport by one of my friends on his day off, and have basically had someone taking me around all week.

The Capital of Cool

Vik, Iceland: black sand beach
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Yesterday, I rented a car and drove 700 km roundtrip out to Jokulsarlon, one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen.  Jokulsarlon is a glacial lagoon in southeastern Iceland, situated at the end of the Vatnajokull glacier between Skaftafell National Park and Hofn.  Check out the pictures - it's beyond incredible.  The age of the lagoon is estimated to be only 65+ years old.  Inside the lagoon are countless mini-glaciers, constantly shifting.

We were supposed to take the big tourist boat through the lake, but the guy running it hooked up me and Matti (friend of Hafdis Arnardottir, who I met over New Year's) with a ride in the dinghy which moves the icebergs around ahead of the tourist boat.

Reykjavik, Iceland: nonnabiti, one of iceland's best late night eateries
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It was an insane experience - we were doing circles around the lagoon, moving the icerbergs every which way.  Apparently, tourists are not usually allowed to tour in the lead boat.  For some, Jokulsarlon may be familiar - it was used in Tomb Raider, Die Another Day (James Bond), Batman Begins, and A View to a Kill (James Bond).

The 5+ hour ride back to Reykjavik was extraordinary, with the midnight sun casting an otherworldy light on the surreal Icelandic landscape.  I took about 400 pictures, and I probably should have taken even more. This is my third trip to Iceland, and it becomes more magical each time - if you haven't been, GO!  Everything is beautiful - from the people (I went to both Reykjavik malls today - Supermodel Central) to the landscape.

Jokulsarlon, Iceland: the famous glacial lagoon, used in the movies die another day, tomb raider, and more
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For tomorrow, Indepedence Day, there are concerts all day long with the popular Icelandic bands (Iceland's music scene is one of the best in the world), and everyone is drinking from the morning till, well, the next morning.  Unfortunately for me, I have a flight early Sunday morning to London and then on to Bratislava, Slovakia.  I'll post back soon - HOLLA!

P.S. - for those who have been to Iceland before (yes, you, Lutfi Brothers), I've already had two Sweaty Burgers from Prikid, and a damn good Bakonbatur from Nonnabiti.  MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM