200% More Ben

Our departure from Vallanes was quickly interrupted by an unanticipated blockade...A large truck parked on a one-lane bridge...the only bridge that leads from the farm to any kind of main road. And so...we wait...

Shortly after acquiring our vehicle, we stopped in the nearby store to stock up on tasties and yarn. We were immediately distracted by beautiful and immaculate packaging in the produce section. Whoever wrote "500g" on this package is probably undeniably awesome and probably keeps a kickass semi-regular blog about Iceland...or whatever. Maybe. Just guessing.

Even though this kale is PERFECTLY PICKED AND PACKAGED, it's on sale...50% off. The 2011 summer was rough on Icelandic farming, one of the coldest in the past decade (at least), so a lot of the produce suffered. After struggling with tiny kale leaves, we eventually resorted to cutting off full heads of the plant. While it's not aesthetically ideal, its taste and nourishment doesn't falter.

A good omen at the start of our journey, we left Egilsstaðir at 11:11 on 11/11/11.

With great natural splendor comes minimal toilet accessibility. Additionally, with great natural splendor comes highway roadside isolation...and so the countryside becomes our personal and scenic lavatory. In other words, regular pee-breaks were a must.

Oh dear, what's wrong Ben? Why you covering your nose?

Bonus Ben? You too? What could be inflicting this olfactory offense?

Ah...Yes. Our good friend, the mudpits. We meet again.

Visual awe fights its constant battle with fragrant chaos.

Not even sulphuric stench can prevent casual rock collecting

A brontosaurus emerges from the steam...See it?

Back up to Krafla

Ohh, so much for originality (June 2010, June 2011)

Spying on Laufás

Some Willy Wonka door-within-a-door biznazz going on

Face to face with sod.

too much beauty

Godtoss. I mean Góðafoss.

Water creature!

Bonus Ben made a solid effort in trying to throw rocks over the falls...

...But ultimately the falls were victorious.

Before Iceland made the move to European outlets, they used to have these funny little sockets with the secret to electricity written inside

Mega reflective pond in Ásbyrgi

While this pond is usually neon green with algae, encroaching winter covered its surface with clear and crackly ice

Dwarfed by the grandeur of Ásbyrgi, the Bens relax inconspicuously on the observation deck.

Iceland isn't Iceland until you've frolicked through some solid meadow.

Our drive back from Ásbyrgi was only mostly terrifying as we disappeared into the claustrophobic fog and darkness.

Do we make it out alive? THERE'S NO WAY OF KNOWING....to be continued...