Iceland is one of those countries I had been promising myself I would visit for more than 5 years. I always worried about how expensive it was there, but in October 2009 I took the plunge and what's more I found a relatively cheap way of doing it. Reasonably priced flights and the decision to go self-catering were the answer and so off I went to Reykjavik.
In truth, if you just stick to the city, you will get round the sights quite quickly. The time of year I was there probably had something to do with this, but I found Reykjavik to be one of the quietest cities I had ever visited!
For me, what made the trip truly worthwhile was what I saw outside of the city. Most visitors do the Golden Circle tour and I was no different. I went to Thingvellir (incorrect spelling, but we don't have that first letter in our alphabet!!!) to see the first ever Parliament and the deep fissures that scar the landscape there. It was fascinating to think I was on top of an active fault line.
I also saw the fantastic waterfall of Gulfoss - I took my life in my hands by clambering on the very wet rocks beside the waterfall. It was supposedly 6 degrees Celsius, but I am not convinced - it was so windy and bitterly cold, but a spectacular sight.
The nearby Geysir, from which all other geysers are so named, was also well worth a stop. Although that geyser is no longer active, Strokkur right next to it is and spouts out boiling hot water and gas very frequently. Of course, it waiting until I turned my camera off to do one of its large eruptions - Murphy's Law!
My trip to Iceland concluded with a visit to the Blue Lagoon and I think I may have saved the best till last! I would happily visit this place once a month (once a week even!) for the most relaxing dip in hot waters you can ever have! I made the mistake of getting in the water straight away and then getting out to take photos later. A wet body in 6 degree temperatures is not recommended, but a trip to this magic place certainly is!
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