Iceland
“What mythic world have I awoken to?”
Immensely powerful waterfalls stream from glaciers over cliffs of chiseled basalt flows. The night sky shimmers green and pink Aurora, Geysers spout upward from scorched earth, pools of steaming blue water lie in snowy valleys, and fields of green and gold ripple in the winds rushing down from glaciers. These are the untamed landscapes of another wild planet surely filled with trolls and dragons. Only this is just a flight away. This is Iceland, and it’s beautiful.
Part of the beauty of Iceland lies in the surreal juxtaposition of severely contrasting visuals. It’s thrilling, yet calming. At one moment you are surrounded by pristine frozen tundra, but a short drive away, this gives way to lush greenery, immense glaciers and volcanic peaks, lava fields, or even black sand beaches. This truly is a land of fire and ice, and you can access it all. Whether you do it yourself or hire a guide, you can explore even the most remote or extraordinary secrets of Iceland. Explore vast lava tubes, snorkel between tectonic plates, climb ice caves, and snowmobile on massive glaciers. Iceland’s most famous and unique music artist, Bjork, even made a music video from inside a volcanic crater! You might travel in an especially well equipped vehicle to cross wild rivers to get there, but you’ll forget neither the trip nor the destination.
The summer sky remains bright and clear as the sun barely sets but delivers extended golden sunsets if you stay up for them. While the winter nights can be dark and long, it can be the best time to see the ghostly green and mauve waves of aurora borealis (northern lights). The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs through the middle of the country. The tectonic activity from this ridge splitting apart is largely responsible for Iceland’s unique landscape, active volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. The many geothermal springs are perfectly heated mineral baths for relaxation after a day of discovery.
The wildlife only add to the charm and beauty. A vast number of birds migrate to these windswept fjords and basalt cliffs to nest and breed each year. The largest known bird cliff in the world, Latrabjard, is home to millions of birds. Beyond the cliffs numerous whale species, including the solitary Blue Whale and photogenic Humpback, feed in the nutrient rich Norwegian Sea. Onshore, the Icelandic horse is the ultimate Icelandic beauty. He is majestic in these elements just like the landscapes and remote villages you will pass through.
For those looking for inspiration, or solace, Iceland is the perfect nature trip. You can travel the ring road that circles the island to see it all. Whether you choose to stay in country inns, or mix things up a little with a stay in Reykjavik (the ‘big’ city – population 120,000 with a funky charm all it’s own), Iceland will leave an imprint on you. The country’s energy is all either geothermal or hydroelectric. The cold water is delivered fresh from glaciers, and the hot pumped from the geothermal springs. Surprisingly the people of Iceland have cultivated a rich resource to draw on for fresh food straight from the sea, sheep and cattle freely graze the shoreline fields, while fruits and vegetables are grown in impressive geothermal greenhouses. I can tell you Arctic Char straight from the sea, and Iceland’s delightful fish soup are well worth the trip, and best enjoyed with this view!
Poets, monks, artists, and musicians from Iceland’s vibrant music scene have all drawn inspiration from this raw, remote land. It is the most beautifully raw, otherworldly, wonderfully contradictory place I have ever seen. Every turn brings another natural wonder, a smiling face, another surprise.
Have Follow Lindi design your next adventure!
