When I decide to travel to Iceland I’d heard quite a bit about how beautiful the landscape was and although my primary drives to visiting there lay underwater I was keen to make the most of my short stay and explore a bit more of what the countryside had to offer – and over on the Facebook Page after I asked what you wanted me to do you also suggested I did the same!
Given the fact everything was pretty last minute I opted to do this as a day trip. Usually I would’ve loved to have rented a car and done it solo – but in this instance it seemed like the easier and more efficient way!
Even so it didn’t go quite to plan and having misread my confirmation email me and the Povester actually missed our pickup time. Yup – despite being on the road for over 3 years now and it being my job I still manage to mess everything up from time to time!
After some awesome help from the guys at Loft Hostel we managed to rebook onto a later trip and still got to sample the amazing beauty of the Icelandic landscape.
Like they say – a picture is worth a 1000 words so I’ll let my photography do the talking this time. There’s no better way for me to convey what I saw than to show let you view for yourself!
[click on the images to enlarge them]
I love the colour and elemental contrasts throughout Iceland – black volcanic sands meeting blue waters and skies, with a dash of green grass…a total playground for my photographic side!
The Povester HATES this image! Well less hates the image, more the fact I spent about 30 minutes trying to find the perfect shot of this church! I don’t know why it caught my eye so much – I think the sense of scale it gave nestled amongst the jagged landscape was the best visualisation of Iceland I could photograph.
Beaches are always my favourite places to be and volcanic black sands are something of a novelty to me! This stretch of beach is also scattered with chucks of ice in the winter months!
I’m not much of a geo nerd but I really enjoyed checking out the basalt columns – formed as lava cools and cracks – much the same as the Giants Causeway in Ireland…which obviously made the Povester feel at home!
Another shot of the basalt – again the contrast in colours and nature made shooting pictures here easy!
As part of the tour we visited Skógar Folk Museum which had all manner of items from old school Icelandic living and you could even explore an old settlement. It was a unique look into the history of the country and well worth a wonder around.
A model of how Icelandic houses used to be built into the landscape…Povey isn’t that tall in real life!
An old map in the old school house at the village – obviously of interest to a traveller!
I’m pretty sure the Povester hated me a lot on this day trip as I totally went into photographer/blogger mode. I made her keep me company up the steps to the top of one of the waterfalls, only to shoot about 10 pics and walk down again…you can see she’s going to enjoy travelling with me!
…and the result of her frustrations!hahaha!
This is the bottom of Skógafoss waterfall which falls 60m. I love the energy around waterfalls – such fresh air and the sound always speaks to my inner hippy!
Without a doubt the highlight of the tour was visiting Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Where the sun made an solid appearance an we were greeted by beautiful rainbows floating in the mist. Truly stunning!
The biggest draw of Seljalandsfoss waterfall is the fact you can actually walk behind it. You’ll get a little bit wet but it’s well worth it to fully appreciated the power and beauty of this natural landmark.
…and of course after a hard day of photographing and exploring it’s only fitting that we relaxed with a pint of the local refreshment in the land of the midnight sun!
The original tour I was booked on was the Jokulsarlon Glacial Tour which looks amazing, however my rebooked one was the South Shore Adventure – which although shorter in time frame still included the waterfalls and a glacier, the main things I wanted to visit.
Both are available to book through Reykjavik Excursions with the South Shore Adventure price at £65 per person – with a solid tour time of 9am until 7pm! Our experience with them was smooth, comfortable and informative with our guide being full of amazing anecdotes and who was obviously passionate about his home country.
The tour itself took in the glaciers, both the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and volcanic beaches as well Skógar Folk Museum which gives a brilliant insight into the history and traditions of Iceland.
They were also incredibly helpful and efficient when it came to rebooking our tour following our missed departure – which speaks volumes for their customer service!
They definitely come recommended.
Also, if you want to see the contrast in the seasons Monica from the Travel Hack checked out many of these locations during the winter months and you can see her Iceland pics in this post.
**PLEASE NOTE; I received a complimentary trip courtesy of Rekyjavik Excursions – but rest assured that all opinions are honest and my own**
That waterfall is insane, picture perfect beautiful. I was supposed to go to Iceland a few years back but the volcano eruption forced me to cancel, sad I missed out.
awwww that sucks Craig – I hope you have plans to go back?!
I already had Iceland in mind for the end of my RTW trip, but now I’m totally sure! Thanks for these great pics!
hahaha no worries Hester – enjoy it!
Beautiful photos!
I visited Iceland in August and was completely blown away by the country. I’ve been to other places where you really feel one with nature, but in Iceland that feeling is everywhere; even in the middle of Reykjavik you can appreciate the clean air!
I only had enough time to visit Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon and do a quick drive around the Golden Circle, but I’d love to return to see more of the country!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Iceland is one of my favourite destinations. So beautiful and different to anywhere else
So beautiful hey David? What was your highlight?