The flight to Reykjavik was ok, and we land ahead of time. I collect the rental car and head to Reykjavik, about a 30 minute drive.
My first day is spent locating a dentist and getting a tooth fixed. After that i went for a drive to visit some lakes out of town and pat some friendly Icelandic horses. Today's temperature was 3c. As long as the wind is not blowing it is ok, but once the wing starts the cold just cuts right through you.

Today i went for a drive out to a place called Valley of Smoke. The weather report for today is a high of minus 3 and a low of minus 8. So i dress accordingly.
The Valley of smoke is a very active thermal area with a thermal creek that you can swim in. So after the 40 minute drive i arrive at the car park. Now its a 4k walk in and up the mountain. The path winds its way past countless bubbling hot mud and boiling water pools emitting huge amounts of steam. The sun rises here at 10.30am, and its is so nice to have the sunshine and no clouds. The only problem is the wind.
Anyway i arrive at the thermal bathing area and as i have brought a towel i think i should have a dip. Going against my better judgement i strip down to my jocks and very quickly get into the fast flowing water, as the wind is making it very uncomfortable being undressed. The water is a perfect temperature for me and i am thoroughly enjoying floating in the thermal water, blue clear sky above and the persistent wind. I am not looking forward to getting out.
So after about half an hour its time to get out. So out i get and dry off and dress as quickly as possible. They have put up small wind breakers so you can get some shelter. I took my wet jocks and hung them on the wind breaker while getting dressed, which did not take long. When i went to get my jocks they were frozen solid. The towel i put on the wooded floor boards so i could stand on had frozen itself to the boards. Thats how cold it was, but so exhilarating. So i begin the walk back. Now for some reason the path has become rather slippery and i fell 4 times. I now have a rather bruised back. Still it was a very adventurous day.
Now tonight is meant to be really good for seeing the Northern lights. So after tea i jump in the car and head to the National park, about 40ks out of Reykjavik. I have layered up as its is going to be minus 8. So i get to the car park and sit in the car and wait. Well low and behold the sky starts to come alive with the Aurora. Getting out of the car to take photos and getting straight back in so i dont freeze to death. I stayed there for a few hours as the lights began to get more intense and brighter and were streaking all the way across the horizon. Stunning and overwhelming. I came and i saw this time. Now i understand peoples desire to see the lights, utterly incredible!

Today i head north to a place called Gylmur. It is the 2rd highest waterfall in Iceland. Today is also a sunny but freezing day with a top of minus 5. I begin the walk with great care as i dont feel like falling again. Well about 2 ks into the walk i can go no further. The log to cross the river has been removed, so thats it. It was still a very scenic scenic with lots of frozen water falls. It does begin to snow a little on the way back.
Went out for a walk to the shopping mall tonight to enjoy the cold air, minus 9, but no wind at all, so it doesnt feel that cold.

Fuel prices here are just over $2 AUD a litre. Food is so expensive, $12 for 1kg of carrots.
Having a car was a real bonus here, as i was able to get out and see this rugged and baron landscape. Plus i got to experience coming across black ice on the road, lucky the car has special winter tyres.
I come across a lot of tourists in the main street one afternoon, and while walking it starts to snow quite heavily, and its not long before the whole city is white. Unfortunately it rains overnight and its all gone in the morning. Now i have to be extra careful when out walking as the water has now turned to ice making the footpaths very slippery.
I did try and do some hikes on my last few days, but the paths were iced up making them extremely slippery. No to worry as i feel i have seen a lot of the area around Reykjavik.
I was very lucky with the northern light as there was not other time during my stay that it was possible to see them. On the Aurora scale of 0 to 9 my viewing was a 4. To be able to see a 9 must be a sight to behold, but a rarity i bet.
My last day in Iceland is one of very strong winds, gale force winds, which keeps me inside where its nice and warm