One of our longtime bucket list was to experience Northern Lights in person. This February we decided to visit Iceland for a short period of 3 days. This is certainly not enough to learn or experience this beautiful country completely. We made the best of use of it.
Iceland is geologically very active. There are several glaciers and also active volcanic mountains that may erupt any time. There are heavy volcanic activities and so the country has several natural hot springs and huge on geothermal power. About 80 % of their energy needs are from geothermal. There are so many glacier rivers and supplies enough water. Bathing in hot springs is part of the culture and so you can find many hot spring pools. We saw several active geysers and springs that are about 100 degree centigrade. We saw one geyser erupt really high.
We we book through one of the several tour companies.
Day 1 – Golden Circle. This tour comprises of 3 things –
A national park called Pingvellir. This is a UNESCO world heritage site for cultural purposes. Starting from 900 AD up until the 17th century, the Vikings and other rulers held their Parliament General Assembly every year in the open air in this park.
Gullfoss (golden falls) – a beautiful waterfalls
Strokkur – The erupting hot water springs
That night and the following night, we were fortunate to see and experience the Northern Lights. The search was an interesting one. We drove outside of the city after 9.00 pm. It was very cold and freezing. It was a long wait before the lights came out just for few minutes and disappeared. We could only see them in pale green colors and not the myriad of colors that you get to see on YouTube and photographs. We were happy we could experience them.
Day 2 – We went to the Secret Lagoon. Iceland is very popular for many natural hot pools. Of course, the most popular one is the Blue Lagoon. We decided to skip this one as the timings didn’t work, it was expensive in my opinion and not all natural from what I read about it. Instead we picked the less popular one. This pool has lava rocks at the bottom. The hot water comes from the hot springs nearby and the cold water comes from the river nearby. The temperature in the pool is amazing. It was just right to soak on a cold day. Since it has natural minerals and chemicals, it is supposed to be very good. The 90 mts we got to bath was not enough really. Not many people, very clean, calm and nice atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!! Good choice for half the price of Blue Lagoon.
We did the Northern Lights Tour again the second night and were able to catch the lights again for a brief time. It is spectacular and once in a life time experience!!!
Day 3 – We did the South Iceland Tour. On the way we saw several volcanic mountains and glacier rivers. Stopped by 2 big waterfalls. One of them we could walk behind and the other one we could climb the top. It was raining this day. We then visited a glacier. This place was so beautiful. Pictures cannot capture it. We did a short hike up the hill and saw some pieces of glacier broken from the big one and floating in the river with a blue color to it. We then went to a small town called Vik to get lunch. It is a very tiny town in the valley of the most active and dangerous volcanic mountain. The village could be washed away from the lava that would flow. Icelandic people’s motto is ‘ we can deal with it when it happens’, every problem has a solution. Very laid back and positive. From there we went to a beach where the lava has created beautiful basalt carvings. This sea looks really scary with huge tides. The beach sand is pitch black in color
JK Travel Diaries 