Askja Tour

So when i last wrote i told you i did something fantastic but not what... well now i can and include photo´s...

On Friday 30 June.. i have to mention the date for all my accounting mates i did a tour into the centre of Iceland to visit Mt Herubreid and Askja Crater. Now this was 13 hours on a bus on some prity bad roads. Some bike riders choose to ride the 100kms but not me.. i´m not silly as i know you have to ride the 100kms back out...

Now this place is very volcanic looking. Much of the lava is now old, around 2000 years. You have to consider this with the fact Iceland is only 17,000 years old. I have walked in lava that is only 40 years old so you get an idea of how Iceland is still growing.

Now the tour required a bit of snow walking up to see the crater of Askja. On top of the snow it was very windy and of course cold. Once at the top the view is just wonderful and i guess the photos only give a hint of this... Now this area has a smaller crater called Viti where the water is around 25 degrees. Your allowed to swim here, if you can manage to get down there. Its not as hard as it looks. But there are some rules on the swimming here. You must go in Icelandic style... NUDE! What a blast. The water is not that hot but its much warmer than the wind and snow. Around the base of the water are a few steam jets so you can sort of warm up once you get out to re-dress. I wasn't alone in my swim, but i'm proud of being the second person in!