Reykjavík Grapevine - Sep 2019, Page 47

many as three humpbacks around.
We kept our eyes peeled for spray
and then sped in that direction,
normally arriving just in time to
see those glorious tail fins breach
the surface; the setting sun glim-
mering on their shining surface.
A Warm Welcome
We could have spent hours there.
But, as the sun began to set in ear-
nest it was time to turn back. Still
one last moment of excitement
awaited us. As we approached
Akureyri, now gently illuminated
at dusk, our boat took a sudden
turn straight towards a waterfall
pouring into the fjord. At first,
I wondered if it was some cruel
prank. But then, as we approached,
we felt the heat and realised that
the water vapour was actually
steam. The cascade was gushing
hot water, and as we moved closer
we were splashed with warmth.
The deluge, our guide explained,
wasn’t totally natural, but the wa-
ter itself was geothermally heated
and had merely been re-routed by
construction work. It was, like the
whole of our trip, a piece of quint-
essentially Icelandic magic.
gpv.is/travel
Follow all our travels
Making friends on the high seas
The group, ready for some whale action
Opening hours:
Thursdays ................15:00 - 18:00
Fridays .....................15:00 - 18:00
Want to visit our factory?
Send us an email varma@varma.is
and we will find time for it!
Varma Factory Store
Ármúla 31, Reykjavík
42⁰C hot cascade