Date of trip: November 2008

For many years I’ve listened to friends praise Iceland as a place unlike any other. The seismic and volcanic activity on the island create a severe landscape that make it a tough place to live but an incredible place to see and photograph. 75% of the population reside in the city of Reykjavik leaving most of the country an untouched wilderness.

I booked the trip well in advance of the economic crisis that has recently put the country in the news. Despite its financial woes, I wouldn’t call Iceland inexpensive. I would say it’s on par with most American cities instead of three times as expensive like it’s been in previous years. The people are friendly and while they are definitely aware of what is going on, they seem to be going about life as usual and expecting things to turn around soon.

Highlights:

-The Blue Lagoon is the most famous landmark in Iceland. In fact, some tourists stop over in the country for only a few hours on their way to another part of Europe just to bathe in its milky blue waters. The lagoon is man made but filled with geothermal seawater containing silica and minerals that benefit the skin. It is a giant, steamy hot tub and floating in it is paradise. Will and I had in-water massage treatments that were amazing. The Blue Lagoon is near the airport which is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik so most people visit on their way in or out of the country. Tour companies offer packages going both ways and will store your luggage while you are in the lagoon. A quick note about protocol at the lagoon: Before you go in, you have to take a quick shower naked and the stalls in the lockers rooms are separated but curtainless. Europeans are used to this, but some Americans are a bit shy. Take a deep breath and just do it! I recommend bringing shower shoes or flip flops and renting a robe and towel at the front desk. Also, the salt in the water will dry out your hair, so coat it with conditioner before you take the plunge.

-Most visitors to Iceland use Reykjavik as a base for tours and day trips. The Golden Circle Tour is the most popular and takes a full day. Stops vary slightly depending on the season but usually include Gullfoss, a huge waterfall also know as the “golden falls” because of the way it reflects sunlight, Haukadalur Valley, home to two geysers called Strokkur and Geysir (the origin of the word geyser itself) and Thingvellir National Park where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates create giant cracks in the earth. Our tour also stopped at a geothermal power plant and in Skaholt, ruins and a church which mark the location where the last Catholic bishop was executed after the Reformation.

-Reykjavik itself has plenty of cool shops, bars and restaurants in the downtown area. Also worth seeing is Hallgrimskirkja, otherwise known as Hallgrim’s Church, a massive building that towers over the city. While it is a simple Lutheran church inside, outside it magnificently resembles a giant organ. Unfortunately, it was under construction when I visited.

Iceland has a beauty and tranquility that I immediately fell in love with. At night, in the darkness, under a sky full of stars, I felt a sense of being alive in the present that few places can provide. I felt closer to nature and more relaxed in Iceland than I had in years and I can’t wait to go back.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Iceland Links:
Iceland Official Site
Blue Lagoon
Iceland Excursions Golden Circle Tour
Reykjavik Official Site
Hallgrim’s Church (Icelandic only)