Iceland – South Coast

9/7/2025

Our night in the Arhus Camping Cottages was uneventful and the river beside it was still beautiful in the morning, even with the howling wind.  We got on the road and soon stopped at a beautiful waterfall.  This one was unique because we could walk behind it.  Mercy and Jodi even walked down to the bottom pool where the waterfall spray was stronger.  There was another waterfall at the same stop, but it required another half mile hike.  Mercy has decided she likes less hiking and easier to attain views.

From there we went to a famous black sand beach known for it’s sneaker waves.  Unfortunately, we only had 5 mins to enjoy the beach, just enough time to pay for the $10 parking.  Every attraction, starting this year, costs $10 to park, regardless how long you stay.  The beach was beautiful, and it was pouring rain.  We piled back into the car, racing to Vic, 10mins down the road and the meeting spot for our ice cave adventure.  We made it just in time, stepping right into the van setup for off roading.

The rain kept pouring and the fog was so think you could not see.  This did not stop the driver from leaping from sand dune to sand dune with us.  We became a pinball machine.  Jodi was on the ceiling more than she was in her seat.  Mercy was all smiles, especially when plunging down a steep embankment, making the ride feel like a roller coaster.  We got to the glacier and the rain continued in bucket fulls.  The guide hoped we all had water proof gear. Check!  It was raining so much though, he said we were all about to get soaked regardless of our gear.

Mercy was beside herself with delight as we walked the surreal glacier landscape in the pouring rain and fog.  The guide said they take 500 people a day to this ice cave all year long.

With the rain, the waterfalls in and around the cave were raging.  The cave itself was cool, having super thick ice everywhere you could see.  I was a little sad that we only went about twenty feet into the cave, but I guess that does at least count as an ice cave and make for a fun picture.  After the ice cave we drove in heavy winds and rain for what felt like hours to reach a beautiful farm for the night.

Mercy’s Take (9/7) – We were up at 6:50a while mommy stayed asleep again.  We got ready and ate a banana.  I ate half.  I read a beautiful, loving letter from Chloe Anne Tuten as well.  Then mommy woke up and got ready, and we left to stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall.  Then we headed to Skogafoss waterfall.  Then we went to the black sand beach for 1 minute and headed to meet our Katla Ica Cave tour guide.  It was amazing, fun and raining.  We had a blast, and our next stop was Fjaorargljufur Canyon.  On the drive to the ice cave the guy asked if we wanted to do the extended tour.  We said yes and he said he would think about it.  I had prayed to be able to and then he said we are going to do the extended tour.  We were glad. We said that’s an answer to prayer.  It was so cool and the canyon was pretty.  It was fun to see.  Our last stop today was Diamond Beach.  We decided to do it tomorrow because of the rain and wind.  We drove to the cabin, Vagnsstadir Guesthouse and then made a video.  I went to bed at 9:19p