Seeing the moon still perched boldly aloft at 9:30 in the morning is a shock to the system. The rising sun sends splashes of pink and yellow across the darkness and the transition leaves me gawking foolishly as the volcanic landscape of Iceland reveals itself.
Arriving in this remote land feels as if you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole and landed in a different world entirely. Rocky clusters of volcanic ash on the ground and undulating hills in the background create the illusion of the lunar surface, while the capital Reykjavik is a reminder that over 300,000 people call this country home. You could still be forgiven at times for expecting Gollum to skulk down one of the rocky hill faces as the landscape is reminiscent of Middle Earth from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Iceland’s contrasting scenery and global location means visitors have the opportunity to explore the country literally around the clock.
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Similar to Africa’s Big Five, Iceland has its very own top three, known more commonly as the Golden Circle. It is a popular tourist route that loops from Reykjavik into central Iceland and back again, covering 300 km of land in the process. The three primary stops along the way are Thingvellir National Park, the impressive Gullfoss Waterfall and the erupting Geyser Geothermal Field. Tours take groups out on the circle (www.extremeiceland.is) or car rental is available for those who want to hit the open road alone.
You can hear the roar of Gullfoss Waterfall before you see it. The wooden staircase down to the viewing platform provides an unobstructed view of the three-tiered monster. It looks like Niagara Falls, only stacked on top of itself at curious angles. The waterfall is part of the Hvita River and 140 cubic metres of water pours over the edge every second. Be warned that mist covering the staircase freezes in winter, and that a painfully hard landing claims many in their haste.
A visit to Iceland’s geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon, is also a must for visitors. The pool of six million litres of natural seawater maintains an average temperature of 37 to 39 degrees celsius. As a mixture of fresh water and sea water two kilometres beneath the surface travels upward through lava, a mineral exchange occurs that turns the water an aquamarine colour.
The spa is known for its active ingredients and healing ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
