We planned this trip a few weeks in advance just so that we could make the most of our short time there. Originally, we wanted to go to the Blue Lagoon, but it was already sold out for the time we were going to be there. Literally the main reason people go to Iceland I thought. But I was wrong, again! So in place of the Blue Lagoon we decided to do the Golden Circle tour. Sounds interesting! Three of us bought our tickets and we were ready to go!
Flash forward and we have landed in Reykjavik, Iceland. Its a little chilly and pretty overcast, great. Nothing that I'm not used to growing up in Seattle. We get to our hotel and have a few hours before we have to be at the bus stop for our pickup to start our tour. I decide that since I just flew all night I needed a nap, and when I woke up... It was pouring rain! AWESOME! Our tickets were paid for and were going. So off we went!
We drove out of Reykjavik about 2 hours to the first stop of the tour, the Geysir Geothermal Area. Just like most touristic spots there was a gift shop. Of course we wandered through, got some snacks and walked out to the geysir. It was harder to see because of the lower clouds and misting rain and the steam from the hot geysir water. This particular geysir erupts every 7-8 minutes and we were lucky enough to see it twice! The next stop was about 20 minutes further down the road and it was amazing. The second stop was Gullfoss Waterfall, it was breathtaking. I have never seen such a powerful waterfall in my life. No, I haven't been to Niagara Falls! The powerful water cascading down the fall surrounded but this lush green landscape made for the most beautiful scene.
By this point we were pretty cold and wet, but it was so worth it!! This waterfall was absolutely stunning. The third and final stop on the tour was Thingvellir National Park. It was on the way back into the town of Reykjavik about 45 minutes from the waterfall. Driving through the countryside was so scenic and there is just so much empty land. Its beautiful! Driving through the national park you are able to see where the European and North American tectonic plates once met and have now separated slighted. Usually these things are the least of my concern, but being able to see it first hand and see the crevasse that it created was such a cool thing to see. The park has a visitors center that normally you can wander through and look out over the landscape, but it was closed by the time that we got there. And this girl was frozen and wet and ready for a hot shower.
Overall this was such an amazing trip with an amazing crew! Ya, the weather wasn't great or ideal, but its all about the people that your with to make the experience great! I will forever remember this trip and the crew I was working with. It was so much fun and for 21 hours in Reykjavik with the same people, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat! Surround yourself with gracious people and no matter the circumstances you will forever remember the time spent with them. Iceland is a beautiful country and I would love to be able to go back and spend more time there and be able to see more sights and more importantly the northern lights! Its not a cheap place to travel to and a beer might be $14 but its worth it. Beautiful county filled with beautiful people.
Get out and adventure 💖
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