Driving the Ring Road Around Iceland Day 2 Grundafjordur to Akureyri

 I'm continuing this week with our road trip on the Ring Road around Iceland. We left the sleepy little town of Grundafjordur to make our way to Akureyri in the northern part of Iceland. We had spoken to a woman who was knitting Icelandic sweaters in Grundafjordur and told her of our route - we were going on some back roads to  drive along the coast - and she said "Very bumpy!" But we went for it anyways and I have to say these were some of the most isolated roads we have been on. It was definitely the right choice!

Most of this day was driving through the back roads of Iceland with gorgeous scenery - seeing livestock, isolated farmhouses and water views. I can't say enough how incredible the country of Iceland is!

We did make a few stops on our way to Akureyri - at a beautiful viewpoint, for a beer at Segull 67 Brewery, Iceland's Northernmost Brewery, in Siglufjordur (where we enjoyed a fun afternoon with two French brewers/employees) and then a very interesting stop at another brewery. Well, we're not sure that it was a brewery! There was a sign and it was listed on the map as a brewery. We asked the man working there if they were open and he nodded yes. So we went into the building which had a small bar and many large vats of beer. He poured us each a beer, which he didn't charge us for, all the while checking the beer vats and his watch. And then we left. Still not knowing what happened. Obviously, there was a communication problem. But we had a free beer in an Icelandic brewery and that makes for a great story - even if we'll never really know what happened!

We cruised into Akureyri in some dismal, spitting rain and found a place for dinner - that had a bunch of Americans watching soccer in the next room. We walked back to our car along Akureyri's rainbow street and headed to our hotel. We stayed at Hotel Kjarnalundur.  Our room had beautiful views of the Eyjafjordur and included an evening soak in their hot tub. A very pleasant stay and I'd definitely stay here again.

Once again, Iceland is so unique and I loved driving its north coast (I didn't drive but am still calling it "driving") If you ever get the opportunity to drive the Ring Road, take it!

How about you? Have you driven the Ring Road of Iceland?

Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand!