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2 weeks ago
12
For years, we have been captivated by Iceland’s raw, untouched beauty – its volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls. It always felt like a magical land straight out of a dream.
There are buses every 15-30 minutes to the city of Reykyavik. One can avail the bus tickets from Airport Direct at the airport. If you are sure about the time and day of your return, it is advisable to buy the tickets to and fro to enjoy a discount.
The rugged volcanic terrain stretched out endlessly with the vast open sky above.
After half an hour’s journey, we got down at Bus Hostel. Alba Guest House, where we had booked our stay was just 200 mts away from Bus Hostel.
We had booked our tickets to Golden Circle through Get Your Guide.
The Golden Circle is a popular tourist attraction that showcases some of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders which covers about 400 kms.
The drive through the vast moss covered lava fields was thrilling.
Amidst our journey, we passed through a small town, where we could see steam rising from the ground. This town is famous for its extensive use of geothermal energy for heating greenhouses, used for growing vegetables and flowers.
The landscape opens up to the rolling hills and farmlands where we could see fields with grazing Icelandic sheep and cows.
Our first stop was at Kerid Krater, a volcanic crater lake. The striking red volcanic rock surrounding the turquoise blue water is 3,000 years old and is said to have formed as part of a series of eruptions in the region. Michael, our guide told us we had 20 minutes to explore and click photographs of this beautiful phenomenon. We walked along the rim of the crater, admiring the unusual landscape and the lake below in the middle of the rugged terrain.
we made our way to the Geysir Geothermal area, where the earth seemed alive with activity. As we get closer to the Geysir, the terrain becomes more dramatic, with steam vents, bubbling hot springs and geothermal mud pots visible from the road.
As we approached Strokkur Geysir, our excitement equally bubbled out, as we could already see steam rising from the area.
Here we were allotted one hour 20 minutes to wander and explore the area. This was also our time provided for lunch. As lunch was not at all our priority, we headed towards our exploration. Our priority was watching Strokkur, the most active geyser, which erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water up to 20 – 30 meters into the air. The sudden burst of water made us awestruck, though the smoke after the burst spreads the smell of sulphur or a rotten egg in the area.
Our next destination was the magnificent Gulfoss or the Golden Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most famous natural landmarks. While heading towards Gulfoss, the road passes through open fields and farmlands. This rural landscape is characterised by a mix of green fields and patches of volcanic soil.
As we get closer to the waterfall, the landscape becomes more rugged. Here we were greeted by the sound of the rushing water. The viewing platforms offer various angles to admire the beauty and power of Gulfoss. This mighty waterfall flows in two levels, plunging into a deep canyon below. As we approached, the roar of the water grew louder, the mist from the falls created shimmering reflections in the sunlight. The sight was truly breath taking. We utilized the complete one hour provided to us exploring the paths around the Golden Waterfall.
Our final Golden Circle destination was the Tingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with both historical and geological significance. As we drive south, the terrain consists of rolling hills, lava fields and volcanic rocks covered in moss. As we entered the National Park, the guide, slowed down the bus, and there we saw the dramatic fissures and cracks in the landscape, highlighting the tectonic activity. The 45 minutes allotted to us passed just in a blink. Here we stood between two Continents, walking through the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian Tectonic plates slowly drift apart. The park’s dramatic landscape, with rugged cliffs, clear streams and grassy fields was mesmerising. Tingvellir National Park also served as a captivating filming location for Game of Thrones, representing key scenes set in the River lands.
It was also fascinating to learn about the role of the National Park as the site of Iceland’s first parliament, establishment over 1000 years ago.
Our Golden Circle journey greeted us with a bright, sunny climate that felt like a rare gift in Iceland. The clear skies and warm sunshine made the stunning landscapes with vivid colours even more breath-taking.
Considering how unpredictable the weather can be in Iceland, we couldn’t help but feel lucky to have such perfect conditions to begin our adventure. It was as if Nature itself was welcoming us with open arms.
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