My trip to Iceland: A Journey Through Nature and Wonder

Iceland is probably the most interesting and beautiful country I’ve ever had the chance to visit. Every corner of Iceland looks like a postcard. Nature is on display everywhere: craters, waterfalls, nature reserves, national parks, glaciers, and so on. Yet, I’ve never seen a place where waterfalls have concrete walkways or viewing platforms built around them.

The first impression of Iceland is that no one is around. There are no cars on the streets, almost no sidewalks along the roads, and no pedestrians walking by. There aren’t many stores, and the ones that exist are almost empty. At gas stations, self-service is the norm.

Iceland is widely known as the third windiest country in the world, and its winds are truly something remarkable. For many years I wished to Travel to Iceland and finally it happened.

The Blue Lagoon: Iceland’s Must-See Attraction

This seems to be Iceland’s most popular spot. The Blue Lagoon one of the Iceland hot springs, a man-made pool that attracts visitors with its beauty, uniqueness, and health benefits. Year-round, regardless of the weather, the temperature of the seawater, drawn from a depth of 2000 meters, is consistently 38°C. What makes the place so special is a type of clay called silica. This white, unique clay is only found here, and it has amazing effects on the skin, cleansing and nourishing it. However, you need to be cautious about getting silica on your hair, as it dries out and becomes brittle within a few hours of contact. After exposure to this clay, it’s important to thoroughly wash and condition your hair. During your swim, you can even scrape the silica off the lava rocks. The lagoon also offers an unforgettable experience with water massages. Afterward, your body is scrubbed with volcanic sand, salt scrubs, and two types of clay in succession, including silica and aglay, in this one-of-a-kind spa treatment.

How to Catch the Northern Lights in Iceland

I’ve never seen such vibrant Northern Lights as I did in Iceland. They danced in the sky, and it was mesmerizing. The lights can appear multiple times in one night, but it’s not guaranteed. Many people camp out in their cars near waterfalls or at the base of mountains, waiting for this extraordinary phenomenon, otherwise, they might miss it.

After 9 p.m., you need to check solar and geomagnetic activity (the K-index), along with cloud cover. It may sound complicated, but there are apps that simplify everything or web pages like NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, showing real-time data and notifying you when and where you have the best chances to see the lights.

During our trip, we observed a K-index above 4, which is quite high for the area we were in. The sky was glowing, so we stopped to wait, but we didn’t see the lights that night because we didn’t consider the cloud cover. It was snowing lightly, and the sky was shrouded in thick clouds. So the lights were there, but unfortunately above the clouds. So, when you plan your trip, keep an eye on cloud cover, and make sure to go far from the city, even from small towns – there should be no light sources at all, no headlights or streetlights.

Is Iceland Another Planet?

Iceland is incredible, even more fantastical in reality than the most stunning movie landscapes or the wildest dreams you’ve ever had. It might sound overly poetic, but it’s true.

10 Fascinating Facts and Tips about the Iceland and Icelanders:

1. Icelanders believe in trolls. Before planning a road, builders consult local folklore experts to ensure they won’t disturb any trolls during construction.
2. Icelandic women love to dye their hair dark. With so many blondes in the country, it makes sense that everyone wants to be a brunette. It’s a classic story.
3. Icelanders are highly creative. The most popular professions include musicians, designers, and artists.
4. Icelanders don’t serve in the military. Simply because they don’t have one. They have security and police forces, but the police don’t carry firearms. Despite this, Iceland has an incredibly low crime rate. People are just happy and conscientious!
5. Icelanders love to read. They often top the lists of the “most reading countries in the world.” It’s completely normal to see locals with a book in hand.
6. Icelanders are the most active Facebook users. According to some reports, nearly all residents of the country (except babies) are on social media.
7. Icelanders are crazy about licorice, adding it to just about everything, even candy.
8. Icelanders love the rain and almost never use umbrellas.
9. Icelanders are some of the nicest people in the world. They rarely lock their doors because they know all their neighbors by sight. They might leave keys in their cars and express affection through touch and hugs.
10. Icelanders are satisfied with life. In a social survey, 99% of the population considered themselves “happy people.”

Best places to visit in Iceland, my list:

Our journey through eastern Iceland took around 10 hours, and here are some must-see spots:

• Seljalandsfoss waterfall: Probably most famous waterfall where you can walk behind the water. Just 10 minutes away is a “secret” waterfall you have to access through a crack in a rock and wade through a stream. You’ll end up in a small chamber surrounded by moss-covered rocks with tons of water cascading around you.
• Skogafoss: Another large-scale waterfall. Be sure to bring a change of clothes, or at least waterproof pants, a jacket, and shoes.
• Solheimasandur Plane Wreck: The remains of a cargo plane that crashed in the 60s. Visitors leave their cars and walk for 45 minutes through the breathtaking, icy black field. The land where the wreck is located is private, so driving there is prohibited. We visited this spot after the waterfall, soaking wet and freezing — keep that in mind for your trip.
• Dyrhólaey: A cape with a lighthouse and a stunning view of the ocean, volcanic beaches, cliffs, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. It was one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen.
• Reynisfjara Black Beach: Another black sand beach, though I preferred the one by the plane wreck.
• Fjaðrárgljúfur: A breathtaking green canyon with a river below. When we arrived, the road was closed off. Icelanders are so protective of nature that in some places, they forbid not only driving but even walking. This was a temporary restriction in place during our visit.

I hope everyone gets the chance to visit Iceland and see this extraordinary beauty with their own eyes — it’s absolutely worth it!

Within the same vacation I was visiting Norway, and took my flight to Iceland from Norway, read my small post about it.