Mareike 7.16.09
Since the short stop became a major excursion and late lunch (still only about 50 km outside of Reyk.), we arrived at our destination (Skaftafell National Park right on the edge of the Vatnajökull glacier – the largest one in Europe) at 9 P.M. 
, with still plenty of daylight, but unable to do any more hiking. So we picked up some trail maps and continued on to the town of Höfn, where we had hotel reservations (another 2 hours drive, which seemed longer because of frequent stops for unruly, free-ranging sheep). After a restful night in two very crammed rooms and a plentiful breakfast (pickled herring was enjoyed by two of us), we drove back towards the park and stopped on the way at the amazing glacial lagoon (Jökulsarlon), where we took a guided boat ride and learned about the ice and movements of the glaciers.