DAY 7: Into the Westfjords

Today we left North Iceland behind and began our travels around the Westfjord Peninsula. One last look at the North was sunset at 12:13 am.  However, we didn't stay awake for sunrise at around 2:30 am! 
We drove on both paved and hard packed gravel roads. The first stop was at the basalt and limestone Pingeyrakirkja church built in 1877.  It featured a 15th Century alterpiece from England and a dome shaped blue ceiling covered with gold colored metal stars.  It is the third church built in this spot near where there was once a monestary.


The monestary plays a part in a Troll story.  A seastack in Hvitserkur that we visited is said to have been a night troll caught at sunrise and turned to stone while making its way to the monestary to complain about the noise from its bells. To many it looks like a giant rhino and to some a dragon.

We also visited Borgarvirka, a basalt lava plug that local legend has serving as a fortress. 

Along the way we saw for the first time some elf houses beside the road.


After dinner we took advantage of the local natural hot pools in Drangsnes where we are spending the night.

Here is a view towards Drangsnes from across the fjord as we were driving to the town:

Drangsnes is across the water in the center just to the left of the island. We had a close-up view of the island at dinner. 

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