Iceland! A Traveler's Perspective

By Laurie Zelnio

I had always wondered about Iceland and what it was like. On so many of my trans-Atlantic trips we would fly over Iceland. When the pilots would announce that we were flying over, I would wonder “what made this lonely island be discovered?” I wondered how hardy the people would have been to endure the cold winter temperatures – and the bare volcanic and glacier-covered surface. Nothing could have prepared me for such a delightfully beautiful location – with its fjords, glaciers, volcanic shaped landscape – with efficient geothermal heating, and intriguing history of the island’s earliest inhabitants who shaped the Icelandic culture of today.

Gull Foss WaterfallIceland's most iconic features at the Gull Foss Waterfall ("Golden Falls"). Feel the spray of the waters of the glacial River Hvita as it plummetsdown into a 32-meter deep crevice. (VIDEO ALSO AVAILABLE).

The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in Iceland – where they can be evidenced by a growing “crack” in the earth’s surface – that also give way to the beautiful Gull Foss “Golden” Falls. The Kerid Volcanic Crater depth shows the awesome power the earth must have displayed in a past eruption. In fact, the history of a different Iceland volcano in the town of Heimaey, a local museum shows the sobering loss of most of the town and many lives when it erupted in the early 1900’s. This little Iceland port town of Heimaey and its museum is well worth the trip – by land or sea. On a brighter note, the Icelanders have learned how to harness the amazing geothermal power of the underlying Iceland volcanic activity to provide all of the island’s power – and including heating of the lake-sized Blue Lagoon – which is a “must visit” destination outside of Reykjavik. The mineral baths are both healing and relaxing to native Icelanders and tourists.

Meeting of the North America and Eurasian tectonic plates in Iceland

The Kerid Volcanic Crater

Breadth and Depth suggest a different past than the current quietness

Food, Churches & History

The food choices are delicious and delightfully diverse in Iceland – capturing both the rich fishing from the sea – as well as the harvest of the volcanic surface grazing animals, fruits and vegetables.

The cool temperatures also bring an abundance of beautiful flowers and plants to accentuate the volcanic island’s landscape. The towns that are scattered around the island’s edge can be reached by a single highway that you can drive around the entire island’s perimeter in a long-driving day.

The quaint, but beautiful Churches are worth the Iceland visit itself – where they show how the deep religious roots of the communities helped sustain the early inhabitants – locals and immigrants alike.

The hardy but minimalist Icelandic history is represented in many aspects of their community and architecture today. The beauty of the landscape, history, and people make this intriguing island a “must visit” for your travel destinations!Say something interesting about your business here.