Great Geysir and Strokkur - Haukadalur - Iceland

After leaving Gullfoss (Golden Falls), the last stop was Haukadalur, a geothermal valley that was home to several geysers. While hot springs are reported to exist in this area for 10,000 years, the Great Geysir wasn't first mentioned until the late 18th century. At times erupting more than 200 feet in the air, the unusual phenomenon caught the interest of people during the Age of Enlightenment. Henceforth, all spouting hot springs were named geysers.

These days though, the Great Geysir rarely erupts, sometimes going for years at a time with no movement. Still, it was worth a visit just to see the original Geysir.

Nearby is Strokkur geyser, which reliably erupts every five minutes or so.

After a few quick snaps of Geysir, I made my way over to Strokkur. I was chasing the clock at this point since it was 10 p.m. and daylight was waning fast.



Everyone was gathered around Strokkur, waiting for an eruption.



Boom!

It didn't disappoint. I saw perhaps half a dozen eruptions while waiting.



Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough on the draw any of those times and these were the best photos I could manage.



The video is a little pathetic too. By the time I pushed the record button, the eruption was already well under way. If you can't see the video below, you can also view it on my YouTube page.



By 11 p.m., it was simply too dark to photograph anything well. But cranking up my ISO, I did manage to take a picture of this mini geyser on the way out. I could hear the water burbling and steaming. Pretty cool!



I once saw a documentary in which someone placed bread dough in a tin and then buried it beside a hot spring. The person went hiking and then later came back, dug up the tin, and had fresh hot bread. I wanna do that!

Can you believe this was only the end of one day in Iceland?!

All Europe posts can be read in Series: Europe, but I suggest reading the Iceland trip in this order:
Saigon's Bakery and Sandwiches - San Gabriel
Kex Hostel - Reykjavik - Iceland
Blue Lagoon - Grindavik - Iceland
Icelandic Phallological Museum - Reykjavik - Iceland
Solfar (Sun Voyager) - Reykjavik - Iceland
Mid-Atlantic Ridge - Thingvellir National Park - Iceland
Gullfoss (Golden Falls) - Iceland
Great Geysir and Strokkur - Haukadalur - Iceland
Icelandic Kea Skyr Drykkur Mango Astaraldin (Passionfruit)
Jokulsarlon (Glacier Lagoon) - Iceland

I did the evening Golden Circle Tour from Iceland Excursions Gray Line Iceland for 8,500 Icelandic krona ($71 USD), which included visits to Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, and the Great Geysir. There's a 5% discount if you book in advance online.

*****
1 year ago today, a lone pomegranate on my tree.
2 years ago today, English Cottage Pie.
3 years ago today, Navajo frybread at Ted's Taco - Mancos - Colorado.
4 years ago today, no turtle doves, agapanthus, desert rose, gardenia, and jasmine.
5 years ago today, 1 of 7 random things about me meme: I hardly ever make my own nuoc mam cham (Vietnamese fish sauce dipping sauce).