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This was the only place (except in Reykjavik) where we met the host. I appreciated that. Of course we traveled for the scenery, but I also wanted to meet Icelanders. Olafsfjordur was also close enough to visit the surrounding area, and, gee, the tunnels were an experience also.

Looking back, I feel lucky that we ended (pretty much by chance) in Ólafsfjörður and not somewhere in the south. Driving is slow in Iceland so even just getting to Akureyri was a substantial trip but that's a constant in Iceland. Knowing what I know now, it was as good a base as any, and better than most. On our way back to the airport when we stopped by the locations of the so-called Golden Circle, with their hundreds of buses and their crowds, it felt bizzare. The main attraction of Iceland is that you can take a hike among the hills and, with just a little luck, have the whole valley for yourself (not counting the sheep). The neighboring Dalvik offers great horse rides (do look at Tvistur), the ferry to Grimsey, and more.