Iceland

Just back from a trip to Iceland. What a fantastic location for us Land Rover enthusiasts. This time we used ICELANDAIR to fly into Reykjavik, but ideally I would like to go again, and take the Discovery on the ferry ( http://www.smyriline.co.uk/ ) from Scotland.
The Roads (only a handful of roads are tarmac) are amazing. You really feel isolated a lot of the time, miles away from cities, towns (and help!). A 4x4 is the best way to travel. Here's the road towards Geysir:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25223450@N07/3055217761/in/photostream/
Icelandic Vehicles are also interesting. A few Landies, also many Japanese vehicles. Most of the vehicles doing the rounds within the island are like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25223450@N07/3056054034/in/photostream/

We hired a Ford Escape. A Freelander-size 4x4 with a v6 petrol engine and an auto box! I spent most of the drive wishing I had my Landy - especially when it got dark and we were on a rough road a long way from home. The costs for hiring a Defender were ~£150/day - I couldn't find a Freelander or Disco for rent.

Now is a great time to go...the exchange rate makes Icelandic prices (except alcohol) quite reasonable...

Spot on. Always wanted to take my Landy to Iceland. Still work in progress though cos it seems that every time I fix somthing two other things go wrong. I'll get there eventualy... there cant be much more Landy left that isn't new! Have you got any more pics of your visit???

Disco Inferno!

Here's a snap of Gulfoss - the 2nd largest waterfall in Iceland. The dots on the left of the waterfall are people...it's HUGE! Not much safety gear either...if this was UK you would pay an admission, and there would be fences & signe everywhere!
Iceland Nov 08 - Gulfoss Waterfall on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Another photo of our hire car on the non-tarmac road to Geysir:
Iceland Nov 08 019 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The Ford Escape is something I have never seen in UK. Not a bad car (but not a patch on a Freelander).

Amazing shots. Looks like some where you could just keep driving all day. The Ford looks like a mini Ford Explorer does it have a column shifter like its big brother?

The Ford Escape was only available in auto box. I would have preferred manual. On icy descents I would've felt happier in a manual (and even happier with HDC!). Towards the South, we did hit some steep slippery "roads" with steep climbs/descents. I just locked the car into 1st or 2nd on the auto box, and got a degree of engine breaking. The Ford reminded me most of a CRV - a bit brittle, and a big step below a Freelander...

We found it hard to find a decent map, and I would seriously consider getting a tomtom download for Iceland, and some better maps (before we go) when we take the Disco over...