ICELAND: MOST STUNNING NATURAL BEAUTY
PLACE VISITED: REYKJAVIK & SOUTH COAST
ICELAND IS ♥
Iceland 31Dec2019 to 3Jan2020
I was way too excited for this trip that I have dreamt of it quite a few times in the last few months. Another tick off my bucket list!
Coming from Prague, we arrived at Reykjavik airport from a delayed flight via Czech Airlines half past Midnight, 31st Dec 2019. We took our rented car from the airport and was luckily upgraded to a Land Rover with new winter tires and all from Avis. Our host, Paul, welcomed us to their new guesthouse in Reykjavik, Pavi GH. Just a few hours of sleep and at 7am we headed to our first destination in Iceland: The Golden Circle.
We picked up some supplies and food stuff from Netto 24/7 along the way. Our first stop is at the Gullfoss which is around 180km from Reykjavik. It was a smooth ride. We reached Gullfoss at 10am, a lot of tourists have already arrived before us. It was a cold, rainy day. A dose of caffeine from Gullfoss cafe and we headed to the Siguidor Trail moving towards the majestic Gullfoss. It was an incredibly breathtaking view from the top watching water thunders over 2 drops, falling a total of what looks like more than a hundred feet. Such an invigorating experience.
Next stop was a few kilometers away at the Geysers. There were actually two of them attracting huge crowds: Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir. While we were approaching the area we heard several people cheered as the strokkur geyser shoot water up the air. Then we stood among the crowds waiting for the great geyser for its turn but unfortunately due to rain (maybe), we didnt get to see what we came for. We decided to leave and just come back later.
Third stop was at Þingvellir (pronounced ‘Thingvellir’) which is one of the most famous stops on the Golden Circle. It’s also Iceland’s first National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, too. It was already dark so we decided to head back to Reykjavik to see what the capital has prepared for New Year's Eve.
We had dinner at Vietnam Restaurant as it seemed the closest to "home" food for NYE.
We strolled around the city center passing by icelandic stores which were mostly closed earlier than usual due to holiday. Finally feeling cold and tired, we drove back to the hotel. It was 10pm and there were already a lot of fireworks in the area. Around midnight, the sky was lit up with a lot of fireworks. It was a magnificent view from our room. I have never seen as many in my whole life. Such awesome color combinations and extravagant display to welcome the new year in Iceland!
Second day we headed south coast of Iceland. We started off from the hotel around 8am. It was cloudy and a bit snowy. We stopped at 10/11 store (similar to 7/11) to get some coffee and croissants which we ate along the way. We wanted to be early so the sun would be up when we arrived at our first stop which was the Skógafoss waterfall.
No one heading south could miss Skogafoss for its tall, wide and even flow of water. It was very beautiful. Imagine yourself facing such a sight early morning. The cliffs and surrounding moss added to the breathtaking scenery. Absolutely stunning. There were stairs around the falls where visitors could climb up but we preferred walking up close to the waterfall. The mist formed from the water hitting the ground and touching our faces - that was a bit surreal. And then you see how this beautiful scene could also look perilous- by the waterfall and because it was almost (neg) -3 Degrees, ice forms very rapidly among the small rocks on the ground looking very dangerous.
Aisha:”It was very cold and I could not even move my hands. When you take off your gloves, your hands freeze.”
Second stop was the infamous glacier, Sólheimajökull. There were limited signs and warnings and there was no trail to reach the glacier which makes the 10 min hike quite risky for DIY travelers like us. We didn’t have crampons on and the icy rocks sure were slippery. Then when we reached the sandy part I stepped on a soft spot and sank my foot. The huge glacier looked like a mountain of ice with (broken) big blocks of blue-green ice at the bottom (must be a frozen lake). Being so near it gives you an overwhelming yet humbling feeling at the same time. I think the Sólheimajökull glacier represents the Icelandic nature I have always dreamt of seeing -something otherworldly that I, sadly, couldn’t explain in mere words.
We drove farther along the south coast, after passing Sólheimajökull and I couldn’t help admiring the view. On one side there is the long stretch of Sólheimasandur on one side and Mýrdalsjökull glacier looming over on the other, covering Katla, one of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes.
Next stop was the Reynisfjara Black Beach which is a popular beach with black volcanic sand, strong sneaker (aka killer (?!)) waves and basalt columns. According to myths they were said to be the bodies of trolls who were turned to stone in the sunlight.
We then headed to Vik Mýrdal which is a small fishing village and is the most southerly village on the island. We tried to find the Viking restaurant that Eric thought he has read about but we couldn’t find it so we just grabbed some hot drinks and snacks from Halldorskaffi before driving back to Reykjavík.
It was a joyous, relaxing drive back where there’s nothing but beauty everywhere you look at. The snow capped mountains, the calm yet intriguing landscape, frozen lakes and of course the fascinating, short, timid Icelandic horses! We stopped by to see a group of tourists riding horses, and then we found a small farmhouse where a few horses are being fed. On our way back to the main road we saw an isolated horse nearby and to our surprise it didn’t run away from us so we had the chance to take photos with it. Such a friendly creature!
Our last destination for the day was Seljalandsfoss, another stunning waterfall which is about 60 meters high. There was a small path around it but we didn’t take it because it was nearly sunset and the way looked very slippery (danger!).
As we were heading back to Reykjavík after our second full day tour, my husband and I were already talking about scheduling our next trip back to Iceland during summertime.
Third and fourth day ....
Revisiting the Golden Circle
Reykjavík city tour
The Blue Lagoon
Hunting Northern Lights
Snowstorm Experience
I was way too excited for this trip that I have dreamt of it quite a few times in the last few months. Another tick off my bucket list!
Coming from Prague, we arrived at Reykjavik airport from a delayed flight via Czech Airlines half past Midnight, 31st Dec 2019. We took our rented car from the airport and was luckily upgraded to a Land Rover with new winter tires and all from Avis. Our host, Paul, welcomed us to their new guesthouse in Reykjavik, Pavi GH. Just a few hours of sleep and at 7am we headed to our first destination in Iceland: The Golden Circle.
We picked up some supplies and food stuff from Netto 24/7 along the way. Our first stop is at the Gullfoss which is around 180km from Reykjavik. It was a smooth ride. We reached Gullfoss at 10am, a lot of tourists have already arrived before us. It was a cold, rainy day. A dose of caffeine from Gullfoss cafe and we headed to the Siguidor Trail moving towards the majestic Gullfoss. It was an incredibly breathtaking view from the top watching water thunders over 2 drops, falling a total of what looks like more than a hundred feet. Such an invigorating experience.
Next stop was a few kilometers away at the Geysers. There were actually two of them attracting huge crowds: Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir. While we were approaching the area we heard several people cheered as the strokkur geyser shoot water up the air. Then we stood among the crowds waiting for the great geyser for its turn but unfortunately due to rain (maybe), we didnt get to see what we came for. We decided to leave and just come back later.
Third stop was at Þingvellir (pronounced ‘Thingvellir’) which is one of the most famous stops on the Golden Circle. It’s also Iceland’s first National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, too. It was already dark so we decided to head back to Reykjavik to see what the capital has prepared for New Year's Eve.
We had dinner at Vietnam Restaurant as it seemed the closest to "home" food for NYE.
We strolled around the city center passing by icelandic stores which were mostly closed earlier than usual due to holiday. Finally feeling cold and tired, we drove back to the hotel. It was 10pm and there were already a lot of fireworks in the area. Around midnight, the sky was lit up with a lot of fireworks. It was a magnificent view from our room. I have never seen as many in my whole life. Such awesome color combinations and extravagant display to welcome the new year in Iceland!
Second day we headed south coast of Iceland. We started off from the hotel around 8am. It was cloudy and a bit snowy. We stopped at 10/11 store (similar to 7/11) to get some coffee and croissants which we ate along the way. We wanted to be early so the sun would be up when we arrived at our first stop which was the Skógafoss waterfall.
No one heading south could miss Skogafoss for its tall, wide and even flow of water. It was very beautiful. Imagine yourself facing such a sight early morning. The cliffs and surrounding moss added to the breathtaking scenery. Absolutely stunning. There were stairs around the falls where visitors could climb up but we preferred walking up close to the waterfall. The mist formed from the water hitting the ground and touching our faces - that was a bit surreal. And then you see how this beautiful scene could also look perilous- by the waterfall and because it was almost (neg) -3 Degrees, ice forms very rapidly among the small rocks on the ground looking very dangerous.
Aisha:”It was very cold and I could not even move my hands. When you take off your gloves, your hands freeze.”
Second stop was the infamous glacier, Sólheimajökull. There were limited signs and warnings and there was no trail to reach the glacier which makes the 10 min hike quite risky for DIY travelers like us. We didn’t have crampons on and the icy rocks sure were slippery. Then when we reached the sandy part I stepped on a soft spot and sank my foot. The huge glacier looked like a mountain of ice with (broken) big blocks of blue-green ice at the bottom (must be a frozen lake). Being so near it gives you an overwhelming yet humbling feeling at the same time. I think the Sólheimajökull glacier represents the Icelandic nature I have always dreamt of seeing -something otherworldly that I, sadly, couldn’t explain in mere words.
We drove farther along the south coast, after passing Sólheimajökull and I couldn’t help admiring the view. On one side there is the long stretch of Sólheimasandur on one side and Mýrdalsjökull glacier looming over on the other, covering Katla, one of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes.
Next stop was the Reynisfjara Black Beach which is a popular beach with black volcanic sand, strong sneaker (aka killer (?!)) waves and basalt columns. According to myths they were said to be the bodies of trolls who were turned to stone in the sunlight.
We then headed to Vik Mýrdal which is a small fishing village and is the most southerly village on the island. We tried to find the Viking restaurant that Eric thought he has read about but we couldn’t find it so we just grabbed some hot drinks and snacks from Halldorskaffi before driving back to Reykjavík.
It was a joyous, relaxing drive back where there’s nothing but beauty everywhere you look at. The snow capped mountains, the calm yet intriguing landscape, frozen lakes and of course the fascinating, short, timid Icelandic horses! We stopped by to see a group of tourists riding horses, and then we found a small farmhouse where a few horses are being fed. On our way back to the main road we saw an isolated horse nearby and to our surprise it didn’t run away from us so we had the chance to take photos with it. Such a friendly creature!
Our last destination for the day was Seljalandsfoss, another stunning waterfall which is about 60 meters high. There was a small path around it but we didn’t take it because it was nearly sunset and the way looked very slippery (danger!).
As we were heading back to Reykjavík after our second full day tour, my husband and I were already talking about scheduling our next trip back to Iceland during summertime.
Third and fourth day ....
Revisiting the Golden Circle
Reykjavík city tour
The Blue Lagoon
Hunting Northern Lights
Snowstorm Experience
