Day 2- Iceland : The Golden Circle
In an Icelandic winter, the land is covered in ice with barren and vast views across the landscape. A place with harsh contrast yet beautiful hues of aqua blues from the purest glacier waters. The barren landscapes we passed thru held the Icelandic forest filled with birch trees, tundra and mountain peaks all jagged with enormous lava rock formations and a landscape very evident of volcanic activity and crevasses created by fissures. As we stood on the North American tectonic plate we viewed across to the European plate. In a day of 15 degrees Celsius, we thought to jump in the waters to be able to place each hand on a tectonic plate of two continents was best held for a summer Icelandic experience, not today’s ice-covered, snowy, rainy day.
The landscape is so barren and yet beautiful that it leaves one in great awe of seeing this stark landscape. The waters in some lakes have traveled 50 years to just fill the lake with glacier waters having such clarity that you can see for 300 meters underwater.
The folklore, legends, and traditions are a combination of Viking, trolls and fairies and a mix of religious beliefs. But today the country practices mainly Christianity though sector still holds to a traditional Icelandic religion that worshipped many gods. Most of the practices, of course, are against the law today, you know, the ones like leaving the extra baby out in a field if you were unable to raise the child. Fortunately, this is no longer practiced nor has been for centuries.
From the arctic conditions across the vastness of uninhabited lands, most vegetation growth you see is stunted. Our guide asked us today if you get lost in an Icelandic forest, what do you do? Well, the answer was quite simple. You just stand up. Welcome to the effects of the Arctic on tree growth. One should just refer to the birch tree as shrubs.
The geysers and the aqua waters create a very mesmerizing view. I find I am often lost in its pristine vastness and unbelievable contrasting colors. Even on a cloudy and rainy day, it seems to just add another unique flavor to this landscape.
Here, you see the Icelandic horses roaming freely and of course sheep and puffins. But for now wildlife is sparse like us, they seek places to stay warm.
I only wish the images could portray to you the beauty of Iceland during an Icelandic winter, the pureness of a place free of pollution, pristine waters, vibrant white glacier fields and even the feel of the fresh arctic air. The chill of the rains and even the sting of crazy hail storms. I can only imagine the beauty of here on a summer day under the midnight sun. If pictures could just share the more intimate details of the smells, the feel of the weather, it’s arctic winds…
Today we traveled to blingvillar National Park and visited the faxi waterfall, in Icelandic, faxi mean the back end and tail of the horse. In the Park, we also came across the drowning pools where women were drowned if they had sex before marriage. I would recommend if you are going to have this rule, centuries ago of course, that both members of the party pay the price. Fortunately, this law is no longer practiced by the parliament.
Today has been filled with national parks, waterfalls, Icelandic horses and amazing landscapes. The images below capture some of today’s adventures. Tomorrow we go ice and glacier climbing then chase drifting icebergs from black sand beaches. More amazing adventures to come.
Enjoy the pictures and much love from Iceland. Signing off tonight from Hvolsvollur, Iceland.