Iceland

My journey to the land of fire and ice was filled with breathtaking waterfalls, powerful geysers, stunning glaciers, fabulous black sand beaches, and the healing thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.

GETTING THERE

Iceland is easily accessible from the USA or Europe through Keflavik International Airport KEF. The airport was about an hour from the main capital city of Reykjavik, so most people rented cars, but there was also a shuttle bus. Don't expect to find many deals in Iceland, other than camping, but visiting the country is worth any expense because of its sheer natural beauty.

AMAZING EXCURSIONS

There were two great excursions, one along the Ring Road and the other on the Golden Circle. Organized tours were available for both but many people took rental cars, to travel at their own pace.

I drove the southern Ring Road, labeled Route 1 on maps, which skirted mostly along the ocean. I saw diverse landscapes of black lava rock combined with fertile green grass, black sand beaches with incredible rock formations sticking out from the water, expansive glaciers, and spectacular waterfalls including Seljalandsfoss, which had a path so visitors could walk behind the waterfall and truly admire its beauty. The path was slippery and very wet, but luckily it remained open despite the conditions. Farther along the Ring Road was Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Vibrant white clouds lay against the blue sky, the dramatic volcanic mountains were covered with a glacier, which had a lagoon in front with tuffs of snow throughout. I hiked the area and ate the best Lobster Roll I ever had at the food truck in the parking lot. On the opposite side of the lagoon was the so-called Diamond Beach. The scenic black sand beach was famous because chunks of ice from the lagoon come ashore and dotted the beach, looking like diamonds sparkling in the sun against the black sand.

My road trip along the Golden Circle was equally magnificent, but inland, away from the ocean. It went mostly through Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and featured a fascinating geological hike, where I walked between the Europe and North American tectonic plate collision point, also known as the Continental Rift Zone. Further along the Golden Circle was Strokkur Geyser, which regularly erupted high into the sky. It was an interesting hike among the hot pots to see the geyser up close. Another cool sight on the Golden Circle was the massive Gullfoss Falls. I hiked down a cliff to see it, and actually ended up at the top of the waterfall, looking down into the crashing waters.

Back in the capital of Reykjavik, it was a well organized city, easily navigated by car but also with an efficient bus system. I was told it was one of the cleanest, safest cities in the world, and that certainly seemed true. It had a mix of old and new architecture, including the impressive Hallgrimskirkja Church, designed to represent Iceland's lava flows and unusual geology. Along the water's edge were also some small thermal hot pools, just big enough to warm feet or for children to play. The city was packed with ice cream shops and many restaurants serving delicious seafood.

I finished off my trip to Iceland with a visit to the world-renowned Blue Lagoon Spa. The mesmerizing light blue lagoon was in the middle of a black jagged lava field. The warm geothermal waters were filled with white silica, which visitors rubbed on their skin. Tickets were available online and booking in advance was the only way to guarantee entry. The Spa also had a restaurant, eatery, and a hotel.

My trip to Iceland was filled with marvelous natural wonders, captivating landscapes, fresh seafood, and healing geothermal waters. Although it was expensive, it was worth every penny!