Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Iceland --- Apr 2014


Iceland has the most interesting terrain that you would never see anywhere else. It has moss all over the land with geo thermal gas coming out from fissures. There are active volcanoes that cause its land to expand after lava cools down. It has the greatest views of northern lights( best time Dec - Feb), geo thermal natural hot springs, glaciers, waterfalls, Icelandic horses and so on. This is absolutely gorgeous, pristine, quiet and romantic country. Must see Pelicans in this country. Must do's that I am aware of-

- Reykjavik
  1. Take the city tour that will cover most of the places of interest in the city like church 'Hallgrimskirkja', interesting buildings like Perlan, President's house (there is no security at all) and other historic museums and places. The guide also gives the interesting history of the country with facts and figures.
  2. Harpa building - Very interesting and unique architecture
  3. Downtown
- Golden Circle
  1. Waterfall Gullfoss
  2. Tectonic rift at Pingvellir National park - You can see American and European continents from this no man's land and volcanic mountains
  3. Scuba diving and snorkeling @ Silfra - This is also where the North American & Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly splitting apart from each other, creating deep fissures in the ground.
  4. Geysers At Haukadalur - There are two famous geysers here called Geysir and Strokkur. In fact the general term “geyser” was named after this particular one in Iceland.
    The Earth churns up boiling hot water that smells like rotten eggs, with steam rising from vents in the earth next to mud pools, fumaroles, and mineral deposits.
    The original Geysir no longer erupts after an earthquake shut it down, but a second one called Strokkur constantly explodes with scalding water shooting 100 feet into the air every 10 minutes or so. Its so fascinating to see this one erupt. Water fills into earth and then explodes in one or two upward water streams. Land around it is of different shades.
  5. Kerio crater lake
Vatnajökull and Snæfellsnes
The glaciers in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsnes national parks are popular for ice climbing, hiking and snowmobiling. Its amazing to walk on tip of tongue of iceberg and also to go inside ice caves. Another very famous summer activity is to take the boat ride in The Glacier Lagoon. Lot of movies have been shot here.

- South coast beach

- Blue lagoon
The most romantic place; have to go with your other half. It feels so relaxing in hot geo thermal pool with heaven like views( read as hot water steam over blue water with light rain). This place has man made waterfall, sauna, massages and Jacuzzi. It's very near to airport near Reykjavik.

- Waterfall Seljalandsfoss
Its hard to decide which one is my fav- this or Skogafoss. Its breathtakingly beautiful and its so cool to walk behind the waterfall with moss covering the mountains around.

- Waterfall Skogafoss
Hands down- Its the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. It looks like a curtain of water and people get to see it up so close.

- Waterfall Dettifoss

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